BCG Daily Tuesday 1st July 2014

'Monty Python Live (Mostly)': theater review

In fairness, there is still much to enjoy in this show, which ends with a mass audience sing-along and a standing ovation. And there is huge warmth in the arena towards the Python team, amplified by the strong likelihood that this will be their last waltz together. It is hard to resent them this final cash-in, even if it ultimately feels more like a victory for commerce than for comedy.

Radio Times review

The reunion of the UK's most influential comedy troupe - yes, the Pythons, of course - has now accumulated a mountain of speculation. Did the first show really sell out in under a minute? Are the "boys", all now in their 70s, really only doing it for the money? Will they still be funny? (No, yes, er. . .) More will be revealed here.

BBC Radio 2 (17.00-19.00, 1st July) has managed the considerable coup of nabbing arguably the two most eloquent members of the team (Michael Palin and John Cleese, who so memorably trounced Malcolm Muggeridge and the Bishop of Southwark during the Life of Brian scandal in 1979) to do a live interview hours before the Python show at London's 02 arena. The interviewer is Simon Mayo, and I can't imagine anyone better.

Graham Chapman: an unlikely friendship with a Python

John Cleese and co reunite this month, but one Python will be missing from the cast. Ken Levy recalls how a chance encounter backstage led to an unlikely friendship.

Comedy? It's just flogging a dead parrot

Idle has become the figure he used to satirise: a humourless, pompous, self-obsessed, self-adoring bore.

Pictures: Matt Lucas filming Pompidou

On Sunday, Matt Lucas was spotted shooting scenes for his upcoming BBC comedy series Pompidou.

The Ray Peacock three minute interview

A prolific writer and comic performer, Ray Peacock is one of the most popular comperes, headline performers and TV warm up acts around. Most famous for his double act with Ed Gamble, and the hugely popular Peacock & Gamble Podcast, this year he brings a solo show to the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Chris Timoney three minute interview

Comedian, Chris Timoney is Irish with an art background. He performs stories and songs with pictures that all are about relationships, food, drinking and toilets. A friend once described his act as 'lyrical tales of woe.' Martin Walker asks about his 2014 Edinburgh Fringe show.

The Al Lubel three minute interview

Bob Dylan said of his last album, Tempest, that he didn't make it for the public, he made it for himself. Well, similarly, Al didn't make his latest Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, I'm Still Al Lubel for the public, he made it for himself. He hopes he likes it.

The Giacinto Palmieri three minute interview

What is it like to be obsessed with a 15 hour-long cycle of late Romantic operas sung in German? Giacinto Palmieri loves Richard Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung so much that he told the plot to all his ex-girlfriends. Now he wants to do the same with his Edinburgh Festival Fringe audience.

The Spencer Jones three minute interview

Spencer Jones, the BAFTA nominated Big Babies star, performs his debut Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, Spencer Jones is The Herbert. Herbert Clunkerdunk is a smiley, strange man who has builders in his house, but he can't stop messing about with their stuff...

The Chris Dangerfield three minute interview

For the 2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Chris Dangerfield has decided to take on perhaps the most taboo subject of them all. Dangerfield: Sex With Children promises to address that taboo head on. As the Fringe brochure states, 'This isn't a play on words, it's about sex with children.'

The Abigoliah Schamaun three minute interview

According to the Fringe programme, Abigoliah Schamaun is a world-travelling, fast-talking, confirmed bachelor of a woman. In her new show she opens up to talk about her past and present - and nothing is off limits. Martin Walker talks to the popular American comedian by via email.

The Addy van der Borgh three minute interview

Addy studied clowning and physical theatre at LAMDA and with brilliant timing and an array of voices and characters he has risen to the top of the live comedy circuit. He's back again at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a brand new show.

The Tom Goodliffe three minute interview

Emerging from the renowned comedy hotbed of accountancy, award-winning comedian Tom Goodliffe has quickly made a name for himself with his unique blend of smart gags, charming storytelling and a hugely likeable stage persona. Martin walker asks about his Edinburgh Festival Fringe offering.

The Lewis Schaffer three minute interview

Lewis Schaffer was one of the top comics in New York City, as house MC at the Comedy Cellar and the Boston Comedy Club in Greenwich Village. According to his website, it all came crashing down on him when he moved to the UK. So this Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Schaffer is making the worst of a bad situation.

The Trent Baumann three minute interview

A man like no man, The Birdmann accidentally debuted on a tour of Universal Studios at the age of five, going on to uncover his unique talent in fifteen countries worldwide. The Vanguard of Vaudeville delivers fantastic facts and acts - wowing audiences across the international burlesque scene and from the Melbourne Comedy Festival to the 2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Adrienne Truscott three minute interview

Appearing for just eight shows At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Adrienne Truscott, winner of the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award 2013 and Malcolm Hardee Award 2013, presents, Adrienne Truscott's Asking for It: A One-Lady Rape About Comedy Starring Her Pussy and Little Else!

Cleese is wrong: Python's silly walks are still funny

Cleese has said that Monty Python's silly walks sketch was only funny because of the 'brilliance of my performance', while Mick Jagger has called the comedy group 'a bunch of wrinkly old men trying to relive their youth.' But tongue-in-cheek joking aside, this is still a seriously talented bunch of fools.

The Pab Roberts three minute interview

Performer, poet, storyteller and surrealist Pab Roberts began his professional career in 2005 and has blossomed ever since. He performs regularly in Scotland and enjoys a crowd. Pab's new Edinburgh Festival Fringe show welcomes you on a journey inspired by Gorey, Dahl, and Burton.

The Rich Wilson three minute interview

Rich Wilson enjoys his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with his show, One Foot In The Gays. Join Rich as he discusses the irrelevance of a person's sexuality in the 21st century and tells hilarious tales of a straight man working in a gay sauna.

The Alex Love three minute interview

Newcomer to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Alex Love has been performing comedy regularly since January 2010. According to his website, while the country was still in the thick of the recession, he thought it would be wise to quit his job and move to London to start his comedy career... and by all accounts it's going quite well. Martin Walker asks the questions.

The Alice Marshall three minute interview

Alice Marshall is a proper actor. Amongst many TV roles, she recently appeared as Mary Magdalene in The Jesus Mysteries for the National Geographic Channel and as 'Rain' in Skins. But comedy is also in her blood. This year she is part of Canal Café Theatre's long running NewsRevue, appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Phil Wang three minute interview

Phil Wang has appeared as the stand-up guest on The Rob Brydon Show and was featured on BBC Three at the Fringe in 2011. So if you feel like you recognise him from somewhere, it might be from one of those TV programs. Or maybe you went to school together. Either way, his Edinburgh Festival Fringe stand-up show looks worth checking out.

The Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall three minute interview

According to his website, Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall has been performing stand-up comedy properly since about the 20th of November 2008. Since then he has performed at several Comedy Festivals, has his own web series and writes for TV. He's bringing two shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Rick Kiesewetter three minute interview

Rick Kiesewetter describes himself as an Asian-American comic. He says he was adopted in Japan and then raised in a small town in New Jersey, USA. Now a British citizen and former UK Gladiators Contender, he is now working towards his second Edinburgh Festival Fringe show...

The Peter McCole three minute interview

Liverpudlian Peter McCole's passions are comedy and family. Over the last eight years, he has balanced these two passions with dead-end jobs, presents, lies and traveling around the world. So it's make or break, as he performs at his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut.

The Angie Belcher three minute interview

Angie Belcher is stand-up, poet, actor and writer. Fresh from her touring show Not a Natural girl

The Chris Boyd three minute interview

Comedian Chris Boyd comes from Chesterfield, Derbyshire but now lives in London. For kicks he chases storms and other extreme weather, so his debut Edinburgh Festival Fringe one hour solo show, Caution to the Wind couldn't really be about anything else.

The Jack Barry three minute interview

Jack Barry is probably the only stand up on the circuit with a degree in Chinese. Martin Walker asks if the degree has ever done him any good and, more importantly, about his part in the two shows he is bringing to this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Rick Wood three minute interview

Rick Wood is a socially awkward stand-up comedian who entertains audiences with his music, daft one-liners and observational anecdotes. For this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe he's decided to team up with a partner to produce a sketch show.

Edinburgh Fringe 2014: our sketch show picks

So, you like sketch shows? Is that familiar faces, rising stars or complete unknowns? Double acts, threesomes or troupes? As our sketch selection below illustrates, the choice is endless. It's best to go to Edinburgh with a plan, and tickets for the shows you don't want to miss. Here are our sketch picks.

The Steve N Allen three minute interview

You might know Steve N Allen as a stand-up comedian telling jokes. You might know him as a radio presenter on your local station, or as a guest TV broadcaster brought in to analyse the news in a funny way. You might know him from the SomeNews podcast on iTunes... Martin Walker gets to know his Edinburgh Festival Fringe show.

The Leesha Loca three minute interview

Comic actor Leesha Loca is landing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year with her show, From Pirates to Popstars. Martin Walker asks how she got into comedy and what her best and worst stage experiences have been so far. But first they discuss Leesha's show.

The Paul Dance three minute interview

Paul Dance's hit character creation is called Henry von Stifle. He's a philanthropist, author, historian, racontuer, orator, world record holder, humanitarian and pimp. His published books include Pig Keeping in Lincoln 1376 - 1500 AD, Norwegian Hairstyles of the 18th Century and The History of Everything. Martin Walker caught up with Henry as he prepared for his Edinburgh Fringe Festival show.

The Hatty Ashdown three minute interview

Hatty Ashdown is an actor, writer, presenter and stand-up comedian. She's the co- writer of up coming Big Talk sitcom Give Out Girls, to be broadcast later this year. She also loves MC'ing and recently had a successful run co-hosting talent show Star Search at the notorious Bethnal Green Working Men's Club. Martin Walker talks to the all-rounder about her début solo Edinburgh Fringe offering.

Monty Python Live review

No matter how jaded or cynical, the opening to I'm A Lumberjack, Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Nudge Nudge Wink Wink and even the Liberty Bell theme tune itself can't help but send a shiver down the spine of anyone who knows about these things.

Monty Python Live review

I was a fan of Monty Python from the start, and it pains me to criticise them. But this is desperately lazy production.

Monty Python Live review

What would the old Pythons have made of these sad old chaps? They might have taken the rise out of them. Maybe we should we more merciful and just thank them for the old memories.

Monty Python Live review

Its not something completely different, but that's exactly why fans will love it.

Monty Python Live: Bloody good, says Twitter

The Twitter reaction is in: Monty Python Live is, you know, a goer. Nudge, nudge.

Monty Python forgot their lines, but who cares?

They're all in their 70s, and the first night of their Septuagenarian Reunion Tour, at London's O2 arena, was their first live show since 1980, so they can be forgiven.

Monty Python, O2 Arena, review

It could have been an embarrassment all round; a bunch of blokes in their seventies revisiting material that was anarchic and transformative 40 years ago but which they are now performing for 10 lucrative nights in the home of commercial comedy. Fear not, though, Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down Five to Go - surely the final farewell tour - proves that quality endures. And in the hands of the show's deviser and director, Eric Idle, it can be made into something new and fresh as well.

10 Welsh comedy routines that will get you giggling

According to a new poll people in Wales have the most number of laughs a day.... so get chortling with our favourite Welsh comedians.

The other side of Monty Python

Taylor Parkes will not be traipsing down to Greenwich to watch the Monty Python reunion shows. Here he explains what has changed in the "disquieting, disordered, disruptive" British institution.

Edinburgh Fringe 2014 interview: Tessa Waters

If there's one thing style of comedy I love, it's the anarchy of a clown that lacks any pretension and brims with personality and fun. And Tessa Waters is the perfect fit.