BCG Daily Wednesday 19th April 2023

Four Brits nominated for Melbourne Comedy Festival Awards

Jordan Gray, Leo Reich, Liz Kingsman and Rosie Jones have been nominated for the biggest prize at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Seven of the ten nominations are women, making it the first time female acts have outnumbered men. By comparison, the Edinburgh Comedy Award shortlist has not yet achieved parity.

Hal Cruttenden: It's Best You Hear It From Me review

I did feel like towards the end of the show, Cruttenden was dealing with a few too many take-home messages which made it feel a tad messy. However, I had a really great time at this show and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Graham Linehan back on Twitter following latest ban

Graham Linehan, the creator of Father Ted now best known for his opposition to trans rights, has been allowed back onto Twitter after serving yet another ban for breaking the platform's rules over hate speech and making threats.

Painting Birds With Jim And Nancy Moir review

Reveals the real man behind Vic Reeves.

Greg Davies on The Cleaner, Taskmaster and the pupil who asked if he could do the Lambada

he comedian talks to Helen Brown about following your dreams and being comfortable with the gifts you've got.

Dame Edna Everage rushed to hospital

Legendary Australian comedian Barry Humphries has been rushed to hospital just days after being discharged.

The 89-year-old, who is most famous for his character Dame Edna Everage, has been readmitted to hospital in Sydney after suffering a "serious" health setback.

Comedy promoter warned after ripping off The Stand's club name and imagery

Scottish comedian and promoter Alan Anderson was threatened with legal action after trying to exploit the reputation of the biggest venues at the Edinburgh Fringe, Chortle can reveal.

Yippee Ki Yay review

A fun evening, especially for aficionados of Die Hard - but if there is anyone reading this who has never seen the film I suggest you do so first!

Fringe: Victorian school building and long-time venue lined up for Government-funded HQ

The gothic-style building on Infirmary Street, which dates back to 1885, would bring all of the Fringe Society's staff and services under one roof from as early as 2024 under UK Government-backed proposals.

Ciaran Dowd: King Rodolfo review

The spoof swashbuckler rises again.

Glee Club faces 'union-bashing' claims

Unite has alleged the company threatened workers who wanted to form a collective bargaining group with disciplinary action and even dismissal, labelling it 'blatant trade union victimisation'. However, Glee bosses strongly deny the accusation, saying the only disciplinary action under way is for unrelated issues raised by a regulator.

Josie Lawrence: 'As soon as I could speak, I was putting on shows'

The actor looks back over a four-decade career balancing 'serious' drama and improv comedy, describes the making of her wholly improvised new film, and explains why we don't see her on TV so much any more.

Joking from scratch: Becoming a Cambridge comedian

Comedian Michael Elizabeth reflects on her first two terms of comedy in Cambridge

TikTok comedian Raurie Williams calls trans people 'mentally ill'

Gay comedian Raurie Williams, aka NoHun has doubled down on his transphobic attacks further by calling the trans community "mentally ill".

Raurie Williams tour cancelled for stating 'men can't get pregnant'

A stand-up comedian has postponed a UK tour after venues cancelled his bookings for claiming men cannot get pregnant. Raurie Williams, who goes by the name NoHun, was criticised for "harassing" drag queen Bailey Mills and his partner, a biological woman who identifies as a man, after they announced they were expecting a baby.

Painting Birds With Jim And Nancy Moir review

A gentle but never dull travelogue-cum-art show.

A Brush With Comedy review

Review of the Sky Arts documentary featuring Vic Reeves and others.