Alex Hardy (I)
- Writer and producer
Press clippings Page 3
Review: Susan Calman at Soho Theatre, W1
It's often said that when you write for radio, you really hone your voice because each word has to land with impact. This influence certainly seems to apply to the stand-up of Susan Calman.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 5th February 2015Review: Phoenix Nights Live at Manchester Arena
It's a parallel that will inevitably be drawn. As the comedy actor Ted Robbins fell to the floor on the opening night of Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights revival, laughter first filled the air, then doubt, then fear. Was he, like Tommy Cooper before him, genuinely in trouble, or was it part of the show?
Alex Hardy, The Sunday Times, 1st February 2015QI: meet the people who know it all - before Fry does
It's Christmas 2014. Stephen Fry, the host of QI, wears three tasteful poinsettia flowers on his lapel. On set, glittery snowmen flank the panel. Behind the scenes Carrie Fisher, a guest panelist, feeds her dog Gary a stuffing ball from the turkey buffet. Well, it's not actually Christmas -- it's summer 2014 and ice-cream weather outside.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 30th September 2014QI could open a school to encourage playful learning
The creator of QI, the hit BBC trivia show, has said that the show could one day open a school to spread its playful learning philosophy into education.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 30th September 2014Sara Pascoe: "I hated comedy."
Sara Pascoe believed comedy was a boy's club until she split up with a comedian partner and took it up in revenge. Now she's tipped to win a top award in Edinburgh.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 22nd August 2014Diary: 'I failed my A Levels, I better be a stand-up'
A grouchy Arthur Smith arrives in town to Sing Leonard Cohen (Pleasance Courtyard). Arthur made his Fringe debut more than 30 years ago, in the days when there were scores of student review shows and precious few stand-ups. "Now everyone in the world is a stand-up comedian," he grumbles. "I haven't met anyone who isn't: every waiter, every road sweeper, every politician, every nurse. Jeremy Paxman. It's a kind of default thing. We'll have 10,000 more tomorrow: 'Oh, I failed my A Levels, I better be a stand-up.'" There could be consequences, as those festival pheromones kick in. "I'll give you the world exclusive if I catch Paxman snogging Nancy Dell'Olio in the corner of the Pleasance Bar," Arthur promises.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 15th August 2014How female comics took over the Fringe
At this year's Edinburgh Fringe there are almost as many jokes about feminism as there are about cats on the internet. Which is to say, lots of them. Bridget Christie, fresh from winning the Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award (formerly the Perrier) last year, is back with an hour that tackles female circumcision and the ridiculous sexualisation present even in yoghurt adverts. Sara Pascoe's tour of women in history includes a delightfully sharp debunking of Page 3. Luisa Omielan is packing out a ballroom each night with Am I Right Ladies?!, a raucous celebration in which she sticks her fingers up at issues such as body fascism.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 14th August 2014Edinburgh Fringe: the best shows so far
Includes Bridget Christie, Tim Vine, Alex Horne and Josie Long.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 9th August 2014Explain yourself: Clive Anderson
A profile of the presenter Clive Anderson.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 8th August 2014And now for something a bit different from the Fringe
There's no better place than the Edinburgh Festival to seek out some exciting acts that you might not get to see elsewhere. Find out what The Times's Comedy Critic Alex Hardy is looking forward to seeing this summer, plus watch a selection of original clips from the comedians themselves.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 3rd August 2014