BCG Daily Saturday 25th February 2017

Julie Graham & Steve Edge interview

They were the new family last year, but this year the Dawsons are back and I speak to Julie Graham and Steve Edge, who play Sheron and Billy, poolside at the Solana to find out more.

Sarah Johnson: Reminisce

Sarah Johnson's sold-out Leicester Comedy Festival crowd are primed for a lively night out, buzzing with excitement at the show ahead. Though that's not entirely surprising, since almost every one of them seems to know this localish, newish act.

That fact notwithstanding, she's an energetic performer who works to amplify that enthusiasm. She's been a comedy character you can hire for corporate events, among a chequered career that also includes working front of house at Jongleurs, and audiences hold no fear for her.

Review of Twelfth Night starring Tamsin Greig

The headline news about the National's new production of Twelfth Night has, of course, been the re-gendered casting of Malvolio as Malvolia, with Tamsin Greig assuming the mantle of the romantically deluded servant infatuated by her mistress, so Malvolia turns out to be a lesbian.

Review: Pls Like, BBC Three, YouTube, Episode Two

It becomes all the more clear how capable YouTube as a platform is in capturing and sustaining your attention - just as the newly evolved BBC Three wants to do. I'd prefer not to think about how YouTube might be harvesting my data as I watch, because I can't wait to find out what the Music challenge will have in store for Williams.

Review: Pls Like, BBC Three, YouTube, Episode Three

Williams redeems himself through the clever way he has Liam and Millipede unite against the formidable power of James Wirm. Through the musical dimension of this strange, strange vlogging sphere, William manages to balance his 'on-brand' cynicism with a genuine sense of enquiry and engagement.

Sarah Kendall on switching from stand-up to stories

Hello. My name is Sarah, and I tell stories. I used to perform stand-up comedy in stand-up comedy clubs, to audiences who had paid to see stand-up comedy routines. I did this for around 15 years. And after 15 years, I was bored, I was lost, I didn't care if people laughed or booed me off, my 'new' ideas felt like faded photocopies of ideas I'd had ten years ago, and most of my teeth had fallen out. I didn't want to do stand-up comedy anymore, so I decided to fall back on my training as a consultant radiologist. That last bit is not true, nor is the teeth stuff. I don't even know if 'consultant radiologist' is a job title.

Richard Gadd sees funny side of Amazon reviews

He has already picked up the most prestigious prize at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Now one of Scotland's rising comedy stars, Richard Gadd, is set to make his film debut in a "dark and twisted" drama based on real-life online reviews of products.

Sarah Johnson: Reminisce review

Her big personality and raw brassiness go far in making the good times roll.