Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 217
Review: Tony Law, Leicester Square Theatre
Sometimes there is a thin line between watching a stand-up comedy gig and watching somebody have a mental breakdown onstage. The latest show from Tony Law, A Law Undo His-elf What Welcome, is one of those occasions. Certainly last night anyway. This was the kind of lunacy that should either win awards or prompt someone to call a doctor.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 28th October 2016Bob Slayer & Joz Norris resolve dispute on Judge Rinder
Two comedians are to appear on the ITV1 show Judge Rinder to resolve a longstanding dispute.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 28th October 2016Romesh Ranganathan review
Revenge is a joke served deadpan. While a lot of Ranganathan's material is almost Michael McIntyre mainstream with a garnish of Jack Dee cynicism, he is not afraid to tackle big issues.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 27th October 2016Review: Shirley Ghostman, Bush Hall, W12
It's not often I change my mind about seeing a show. Once it drops off the reviews list it has missed its moment. I was too busy to see spoof psychic Shirley Ghostman's "Spooktacular" opening night, but when I looked on Twitter and saw enthusiastic reports from comedians whose opinion I respect, such as Reece Shearsmith and Richard Herring, plus a lot of fans excited about it, I thought I'd better check it out. And I didn't regret it. Who could have predicted that?
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 27th October 2016Interview: rarely asked questions - Lynn Ruth Miller
There aren't many comedians over eighty years old working on the comedy circuit, but American stand-up Lynn Ruth Miller would be pretty special if she was half her age.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 27th October 2016Film review: The Comedian's Guide To Survival
Comedies about stand-up comedy are difficult to pull off. How do you capture the highs and lows of performing live on film? How do you capture the buzz of the good gig, the despair of the bad gig? How do you capture a world that is simultaneously niche and mainstream? The Comedian's Guide to Survival comes pretty close.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th October 2016Interview: rarely asked questions - James Mullinger
James Mullinger is a comedian who moved from London to Canada and has enjoyed enormous success in his adopted homeland. Last year he did a gig at the Harbour Station stadium arena in Saint John and sold more tickets than Guns N Roses, Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper and his comedy hero Jerry Seinfeld. Canadian television has even made a documentary about Mullinger's career. Mullinger has also co-written the new movie A Comedian's Guide To Survival, based on his own experiences and starring James Buckley and a host of familiar comics.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th October 2016Bridget Christie, comedy review
Nobody does clownish indignation as well as Bridget Christie, writes Bruce Dessau.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 14th October 2016Interview: Rarely Asked Questions - Dan Renton Skinner
Sonny and Cher. Laurel and Hardy. History is littered with double acts. And now there is Alex Lowe and Angelos Epithemiou, who are about to set out on their New Power Generation tour. Lowe is best known as radio phone-in loving OAP Barry from Watford. Burger van-owner Angelos is probably best known for keeping score in Shooting Stars and carrying a plastic shopping bag with him wherever he goes. Beyond The Joke has managed to persuade the man behind the plastic bag, Dan Renton Skinner, to chat to us. You will also know him from House of Fools and all sorts of other interesting acting projects - he popped up in the movie High Rise earlier this year.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 13th October 2016Al Murray, The Pub Landlord review
This bigoted bar steward still has comedy legs in a post-Brexit world.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 12th October 2016