tim key
Robin Ince’s Christmas shows in London have become a bit of an institution, but he has slightly reinvented them this year, rebranding them as Christmas Science Ghosts. The line-up will be fairly familiar though - the likes of Tony Law, Sara Pascoe, Josie Long and Stewart Lee will be among the rotating bills, though there will also be some curveballs too. Tonight historian Mary Beard joins the lineup.
Well, of course I don't hate sketch comedy. But, heck, it’s a crowded market out there, I’ve got to get you to click on the link somehow. So now I’ve got your attention I’ll explain and expand. Sketch comedy is probably my least favourite form of comedy. When I go to gigs I prefer stand-up. When I’m watching TV I prefer a sitcom. I’ll frequently watch sketches on YouTube, but the quality is so inconsistent my laptop is invariably in danger of being lobbed out of the window before you can say "buffering".
After a lull in proceedings the comedy circuit is back with a vengeance this week with gigs galore, starting tonight (Monday) with the first-ever GQ Comedy Extravaganza at the Hammersmith Apollo.
Some exciting big gigs this week. Tonight at the Palace Theatre the Last Leg trio of Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker appear in aid of the Centrepoint homelessness charity. More details here.
Be still my beating heart. Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith return to our screens with Inside No 9, six self-contained comedies with some delicious shocks and surprises. They talk about the series, their other plans and the inevitable prospect of a League of Gentlemen reunion.
BD: Six one-off comedy chillers? How exciting. Does it feel like a departure for you?
For those that were sorry to see the end of the brilliant Psychoville after two series the good news is that Inside No 9 is possibly even better. Certainly just as horribly funny in places. The BBC is clearly behind Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's new six-part series of self-contained stories, airing plenty of trailers to tantalise the viewer. And it definitely starts off in style with a chilling, claustrophobic chamber piece entitled Sardines.
Tim Key's dates at the Soho Theatre here have now sold out. But good news - he's added a run of his new show Single White Slut, at the Arcola Theatre from March 10 - 20. Details here. If you don't know Key what on earth have you been doing with your life?
So that's Edinburgh done for another year. Here are some pictures from Saturday's Foster's Comedy Awards ceremony. I don't even remember taking most of them so I must have been having a good time. All pics © copyright Bruce Dessau/Beyondthejoke.
Josie Long (if you can see pictures they are by Idil Sukan at Draw HQ) was one of my favourite comedians even before she co-founded Arts Emergency to help students study arts degrees. I don't always agree with her but I admire the way that she throws herself headlong into everything she does, whether it is her pursuit of social justice or her hobby of outdoor swimming.
An early Week Ahead this week, as it involves a big gig at the start of the week that might take some forward planning. Bill Bailey's recent tours have taken in venues of contrasting sizes, from arenas – or "enormodomes", as I think he was the first to dub them – to the Royal Albert Hall, Leicester Square Theatre and larger West End Theatres.
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