Sitting much closer to the out-and-out comedy end of the “Winter Solider to Raganarok” tone spectrum than I had expected, Captain Marvel is a B+ movie with an A++++++++++ character and performance at its heart. When the script does go beyond standard Marvel back-and-forth banter and the proper jokes (lots of them surprisingly visual, almost… Continue reading Captain Marvel
There’s something quite special about comedy performers putting as much care and thought into how their shows look as how they sound. And when I think back on 2018’s Edinburgh Fringe, I won’t necessarily remember individual jokes, but I bet there are a fair few images that stick in my memory. Take Max & Ivan’s… Continue reading Looking good on the Fringe
Like so many of us, the Muppets have been with me my whole life. I’d watch Sesame Street before going to nursery, Saturday afternoons were spent watching The Great Muppet Caper or Follow That Bird, I had this frankly astonishingly brilliant alarm clock, and Christmas isn’t Christmas without Gonzo as Charles Dickens. When I was… Continue reading The Muppets Take the O2
The damp but strangely cosy arches under Waterloo have been playing host to Vault Festival for six years, and over that time comedy has become a much bigger part of the programme – which now stretches over a generous eight weeks. Coming in February and March, it sits at just the right time for acts… Continue reading Thoughtful comedy at Vault Festival
It feels like a really good Oscars year. Granted, of the titles nominated for Best Picture I’ve so far only seen Three Billboards and The Post, but I’m hoping to fit in at least The Shape of Water and Lady Bird when they’re released and – thanks to the peerless Prince Charles Cinema – catch-up showings… Continue reading Three Billboards and The Post
[Major spoilers] Despite not getting to see Episode VIII until 31st December (I know, a full two weeks after release), I stayed pretty spoiler-free, apart from hearing snatches of the grumblings from some disappointed fans – it’s too funny (?!), Luke’s too grumpy, Poe’s not perfect… Happily, everyone I know whose opinion I really trust… Continue reading Star Wars: The Last Jedi
I’m very aware how thoroughly spoiled we are for comedy here in London. In June and July we can see incredible acts work out their ideas for a few quid or nothing, and then come September we’re treated to full shows, honed by a month of relentless, mental health-jeopardising performance. Last week I took full advantage of my… Continue reading Nick Coyle: Queen of Wolves at Soho Theatre
Some highlights! Line I laughed at more than anyone else in the room: “I caught that” – uttered by Aussie faux-feminist Dupe in John-Luke Roberts‘ already laugh-packed show, after he plucked a baseball cap out of the air. Crucially, the emphasis is on the “I”. Show that made me think “oh so ACMS and Weirdos… Continue reading Edinburgh Fringe – 2017
And so, the NuWho love fest continues. Here are my gut-feeling favourite episodes from Series 6-10, and be warned there are spoilers for World Enough and Time and The Doctor Falls, which is in itself a spoiler for this post… Series 6 – The Doctor’s Wife Split into two parts, with threads of River… Continue reading NuWho: My favourite episode from all 10 series – Series 6 – 10
With the image of John Simm’s Master reapplying his eyeliner still ringing in my… eyes, I thought now was a really decent time to write a few words about my favourite episode from each of NuWho’s 10 seasons. It’s a personal list, based on gut feeling and all the feels, so here’s Part 1, covering… Continue reading NuWho: My favourite episode from all 10 series – Series 1 – 5
Oh, the things I've seen 