Comedy, Issue 689
11 articles
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Interview: Lorraine Bowen celebrates material world in Polyester Fiesta!
26 Oct 2011
Fabric-loving funny woman and pal of Billy Bragg hits Glasgay!
You may not be aware but this year is the 70th anniversary of polyester. Yup, that’s right- the fabric responsible for some of the strangest, best and undeniably worst looks of the past half-decade is in its twilight years and musician/comedienne…
Bill Bailey's guide to scary film soundtracks
21 Oct 2011
The comedian and orchestra appreciator on what makes for good malevolent music
What’s your favourite score to a scary movie? The Bernard Herrmann score to The Day the Earth Stood Still [1951]. It’s quite futuristic and incredibly orchestral and atmospheric. He uses the Theremin [an early electronic instrument that can be played…
Mark Nelson's comedy hero: Doug Stanhope
18 Oct 2011
One charmingly profane comic praises another
Naturally being Scottish, I have always regarded Billy Connolly as an inspiration and probably the inventor of modern stand-up. Growing up I always loved Jack Dee and Frank Skinner and now as a comedian myself there are comics I work with whom I…
Dave Gorman's Powerpoint Presentation - interview
18 Oct 2011
The Gorman-hunting, Googlewhacker presents latest high-concept show
When Dave Gorman gets a chance to look back on his career, he can be mightily proud to have pretty much single-handedly created a new kind of stage comedy. Even though he’s not sure what it should be called exactly. ‘They were narrative shows which…
The Midnight Beast - Book At Us Now
18 Oct 2011
Unfunny pop-parody book designed to cash in on upcoming TV fame
(Coronet) ‘We mock the living hell out of stuff for a living,’ claim London pop parody trio The Midnight Beast. Even in this disposable age, simply poking fun at more talented people can only stretch so far before the game is up. Success rarely…
Interview - Rob Brydon
17 Oct 2011
The comic actor answers our questions ahead of the release of his autobiography, Small Man in a Book
First record you ever bought Apart from Rupert Bear, Propaganda by Sparks. Last extravagant purchase you made A cashmere scarf. First film you saw that really moved you Barney’s Version. Last lie you told I never lie. First movie you…
Barking - DVD review
17 Oct 2011
Unessential DVD release of the short-lived C4 sketch show featuring David Walliams and Peter Kay
(Acorn Media) Back in 1998, Peter Kay, Catherine Tate, David Walliams, Omid Djalili and Mackenzie Crook were all looking for a big break in their comedy careers. The Fast Show had ended on the BBC the previous year and it would be another 12 months…
Strange Hungers
17 Oct 2011
Glasgow Theatre company Fish and Game's wry send up of gay icons past at Glasgay!
Who were the gay icons of your youth? Wham? George Takei? Rosie O’Donnell... ? Everyone has at least one (perhaps strange) LGBT celeb that they looked up to as an alternative youngster – and what do you get if you combine this wry look at ‘back in…
Five fun facts about Ed Byrne
17 Oct 2011
Some little known facts about the Irish comic's altercations with popes, Perriers and Piers Morgan
Born in the Dublin suburb of Swords, Byrne first got involved in stand-up comedy as a horticulture student at Strathclyde University. As part of the student union, Byrne hosted pub quizzes and karaoke nights which provided him with a taste for showing…
Christmas comedy memoirs roundup
17 Oct 2011
Lee Evans, Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford and Simon Day all have books on the way
With the Christmas market positively saturated these days with stand-up comedy DVDs, publishers have clearly decided it’s time to cash in by launching a batch of memoirs from folk who may (or may not) have made you laugh down the years. Titlewise, Lee…
Monte Carlo
12 Oct 2011
Flat romcom vehicle for Justin Bieber's paramour Selena Gomez
(PG) 108min The star of tween drama Wizards of Waverly Place, but better known as the current squeeze of Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez is being relentlessly packaged for fame. Her previous venture, last year’s Ramona and Beezus sank like a stone, and…
