BCG Daily Tuesday 13th June 2023

Calamity James review

The climactic pratfall was a bit of a letdown, but this was a cleverly constructed playlet, just 15 minutes long, with some sharp one-liners and visual gags.

Graham Norton on drag, dreams, death and desire

The genial face of chatshow TV is back with Queen Of The Universe. He discusses the joy of Eurovision, his late start as a novelist - and his even later marriage.

Kevin Bridges blames alcohol for fights at his shows

Rowdy audiences at singalong musicals have already been singled out for their anti-social behaviour and now it appears the trend has also arrived at comedy gigs. Kevin Bridges has blamed excess drinking after the pandemic for fights at his gigs. Some of the comedian's Glasgow shows were marred by punch-ups in the audience.

Richard Curtis to be guest chef at Latitude festival

Richard Curtis and his wife Emma Freud will use produce from Suffolk to show off their culinary skills at the event at Henham Park near Southwold.

Damian Lewis vampire comedy The Radleys is now filming

Kelly Macdonald, Sophia Di Martino and Shaun Parkes are amongst those joining the cast.

Bridget Christie says 'menopause is still this invisible thing on screen'

The comic has penned a brand-new Channel 4 comedy drama set in the Forest of Dean which puts the subject front and centre.

Mo Gilligan's That's My Jam to be axed after just one series

The BBC's latest big budget entertainment series looks set to be axed after just one series.

Music entertainment programme That's My Jam is allegedly on the chopping block despite having A-list guests and a star host, comedian Mo Gilligan.

The Recs' advice for Edinburgh Fringe performers

Although the Fringe provides lots of information to shows about what to expect during their run in Edinburgh, it feels that there is some additional advice that The Recs as an online Arts review and recommendation site might be able to offer to Fringe performers.

Q&A: Helen Bauer

About to embark on a UK and Europe Tour of her new solo show Grand Supreme Darling Princess, after performing said show at this summers' Edinburgh Fringe, and in the midst of her debut hour Little Miss Baby Angel Face being released for streaming worldwide this week, we (unbelievably, considering just how busy and popular she is) managed to pin the fantastic Helen Bauer down for a natter. Read on as we talk about rescue complexes, Disney and dictators (which, in Bauer's own words, are her 'twin flame passions').

Ricky Gervais's partner Jane Fallon, 62, cries over 'worrying' skin cancer scare

Ricky Gervais's long-term love, author Jane Fallon posted about her 'worrying' skin cancer scare on Twitter on Tuesday.

Taskmaster's best prize tasks: from dead pets to hiding in Greg Davies's wardrobe

From David Baddiel's dead cat to an unforgettable haircut reveal, these are Taskmaster's finest prize task entries.

What is it like to do stand-up at a music festival?

Sophie Duker and Jacob Hawley discuss how to draw revellers away from pop stars while Glastonbury's Charlotte Lang explains what it takes to win over the cabaret tent

New comedy club to open on South Bank; locals fear the area 'turning into Soho'

South Bank locals have hit out after plans were approved for a huge comedy club that will serve booze from 8am to open near their homes - with one resident saying he fears the area is turning into Soho. Big Belly Comedy Club - the team behind Vauxhall Comedy Club - were given permission to open a 499 person venue on Stamford Street that will operate until just after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, at a Southwark Council licensing meeting on June 12.

Ask a comedian: Liam Withnail

A comic with over 10 million TikTok and Instagram views, Liam Withnail is set to premiere his new stand up show, Chronic Boom, at Edinburgh Fringe.

Jack Carroll on new BBC Three show Mobility

Jack, who has cerebral palsy, says the comedy is different to most on TV as the whole cast is disabled.

The Full Monty review

The 2023 version of the beloved film is a litany of social ills, but lacks the instant uplift of the original.

The Full Monty: How Disney's new sequel series deals with austerity

A number of the show's stars have spoken out about what fans can expect from the series' exploration of Conservative-driven austerity.

99 Club bursary showcase 2023 review

London's 99 Club has a track record of picking winners when it comes to its bursary for female and non-binary acts making their Edinburgh Fringe debuts.

Joseph Fiennes now regrets playing Michael Jackson in a 2016 episode of Urban Myths

Seven years after his controversial portrayal of the late Michael Jackson, Joseph Fiennes admitted taking the role was a 'wrong decision' and a 'bad mistake.

Nathan Cassidy offers charity donations in return for Edinburgh publicity

He has emailed members of the press with the following: "if you/your publication review or preview my Edinburgh shows this year I'll give The Alzheimer's Society £50 per article/review up to £500. My family have been very affected by dementia in recent years, so what better way to tug at the heart strings of the press than with this selfless gesture?! Even if you just mention what I'm doing here with this shameless publicity stunt that's £50 to The Alzheimer's Society. Thank you very much!"

Liz Guterbock interview

'The Fringe is a great ego buster.' We speak to comedian Liz Guterbock about her debut full-length show.

Louise Atkinson interview

'I have mates who say, "If you turn that into a bit on stage, I will end you!"' We speak to Louise Atkinson about her debut Fringe hour.

Edinburgh 2023: pick of the programme - work in progress

Catch some of your favourite comedians working out new material!

Full West End cast for The Crown Jewels announced

Full casting has been revealed for the new West End comedy The Crown Jewels, opening at the Garrick Theatre next month.

Penned by Simon Nye, the piece is loosely based on a true story surrounding an audacious bank heist during the reign of Charles II.

The Bystanders review

The Bystanders uses a familiar trope to answer a familiar question, but it does it in a way that's funny and nostalgic while remaining poignant and fresh.