Ben Williams (I)
- Journalist, promoter and producer
Press clippings Page 15
Edinburgh Fringe: Top ten big names
The hot new talents and transatlantic visitors are all very well, but, ultimately, the Fringe is about just having a good laugh, eh? Step forward the recognisable faces and festival favourites.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 22nd July 2013Edinburgh Fringe: top ten international visitors
The Edinburgh Fringe is where most international acts get their Brit breakthrough. This year's global crop features some big-name Americans, rising Australian stars, and the odd Scandinavian. Here's our pick of the international visitors.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 22nd July 2013Fringe comedy highlights 2013: top ten newcomers
We've been hyping this bright young thing for yonks, ever since we first saw him rap about a cancer-ridden dog in 2011.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 22nd July 2013Edinburgh Fringe highlights: top ten newcomers
Easily the most exciting part of an Edinburgh Fringe experience is discovering new talent. But the buzz begins long before the festival kicks off in August, and there are already plenty of debut shows we're getting pumped (not in that way) about. Here are our top ten newcomer picks.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 12th July 2013Fringe comedy highlights 2013: top ten newcomers
With the amount of impressive credits already stamped on Aisling Bea's CV, you'd be forgiven for thinking she's been performing stand-up for a decade or more.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 12th July 2013The BBC must've been delighted with the first series of Russell Kane's Live at the Apollo-for-yoofs - a third season is already in production, before the second batch has even aired. The format remains largely unchanged for Live at the Electric 2.0: Kane introduces a mix of character comics and sketch acts with a younger, trendier edge than McIntyre's relatively geriatric affairs.
But, wisely, most of the pre-edited VTs that lead the first series have gone, replaced by greater focus on the 'live' part of the title. Welcome new additions to the line-up include suave French misanthrope Marcel Lucont (the character creation of Alexis Dubus), who dishes out some inventive sex advice, and weirdo Northern Irishman Paul Currie, who silently, and absurdly, recreates the iconic Russian roulette scene from The Deer Hunter with the help of a monkey puppet and some theatrical gestures.
Not all the skits hit the mark, though. YouTube star Chris Kendall (know as 'Crabstickz' on the interwebs) spoofs Robert Pattinson's Twilight turn about five years too late, and Kane's own The Only Way is Shakespeare sketch has one joke: saying rude words in a thespian tongue. But the rotating cast make this well worth sticking with, and there are some cracking acts to come later in the series.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 4th July 2013Preview: Oram & Meeten's Club Fantastico and Clark's
Cult comedy nights Clark's and Oram & Meeten's Club Fantastico were once staples of the London circuit. After a hiatus (while the hosts got more famous) they're both back at Soho Theatre.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 2nd July 2013London's summer comedy festivals: head-to-head
The festival season is upon us, but which one is the best?
Ben Williams, Time Out, 2nd July 2013Lloyd Langford's top ten stand-up comedians
The Welsh curmudgeon reveals his favourite comics - with videos.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 21st June 2013Mirth-in-progress: Edinburgh previews in London
Before the Edinburgh Fringe kicks off in August, London is awash with terrific comics workshopping new shows for a fraction of festival ticket prices.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 11th June 2013