sat 05/04/2025

Comedy Reviews

John Cleese, livestream from Cadogan Hall review - abandon all hope, says the former Python

Veronica Lee

At the age of 80, John Cleese probably doesn't care what people think of him. But then, when you were one-sixth of Monty Python and co-creator of one of TV's funniest sitcoms, you can afford not to play to the gallery as the royalties from Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers still roll in (even if, as he never tires of telling his audiences, a fair chunk goes in alimony).

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Comedy in the Courtyard, BAC review - al fresco gags

Veronica Lee

After drive-ins, now come Covid-secure outdoor shows as the comedy industry tries to find its way back to normality. Battersea Arts Centre is utilising its hitherto unused courtyard for a season of outdoor comedy, during which Al Murray and Russell Howard will perform.

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Mark Watson's Carpool Comedy Club, Hever Castle review - mixed bill with gags and gourmet food

Veronica Lee

Drive-in comedy shows are now well into their groove (although sadly a couple of promoters have had to cut their losses because of poor sales at some venues), and distinct differences in approach to what's on offer have emerged. Clearly going for the upper end of the market is Dine and Drive Theatre, an old hand at curating outdoor events, whose USP is classy locations and food catered by top chef Tom Kerridge.

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Car Park Comedy, Henley review - Comedy Store's mixed bill

Veronica Lee

Hot on the heels of The Car Park Club and @TheDriveIn comes Car Park Party, a series of shows presented in partnership with The Comedy Store. Car Park Party presents an evening of four comics doing short sets, presented by an MC.

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@TheDriveIn, Blackheath review - comedy and car-aoke

Veronica Lee

Drive-ins are now firmly establishing themselves as the only method by which culture fans can see live arts in person for the future. Hot on the heels of The Drive-In Club comes @TheDriveIn, sponsored by Suzuki and produced by Jericho Comedy.

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Dom Joly / Daniel Sloss, Brent Cross reviews - UK's first drive-in comedy shows

Veronica Lee

It was a weary and frustrated Dom Joly (★★) who left the stage after performing the first drive-in comedy show in the UK. Sadly it had been, as he said earlier, “the first car crash at a drive-in”.

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Desiree Burch, Soho Theatre On Demand review - fantastical storytelling

Veronica Lee

You may have seen Desiree Burch, a Californian now living in London, on The Mash Report on BBC One.

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Jerry Seinfeld, Netflix review - not bad for a swansong

Veronica Lee

Jerry Seinfeld said in a recent interview that this Netflix special – 23 Hours to Kill – may be his last stand-up show. That's a shame, as there's much to enjoy here, even if he is retreading some old ground.

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Aditi Mittal, Soho Theatre On Demand review - cows, mothers and fempowerment

Veronica Lee

“There are places in India where it's safer to be a cow than a woman” is a seemingly innocuous statement, but for Indian comic Aditi Mittal it was a dangerous one to make in a comedy show.

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Simon Amstell, Netflix review - wisdom and wisecracks

Veronica Lee

Who knew in the early days of his career, when Simon Amstell was taking the mick out of celebrities on Popworld and then Never Mind the Buzzcocks, that he would turn into one of the cleverest comics of his generation, with a special talent for making existential angst funny?

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