Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 219
Interview: 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 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 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 2016TV preview: Harry Hill's Tea Time, Sky One
For those of you that miss TV Burp you are going to have to make sure you have Sky. Harry Hill's new series is definitely not a TV Burp clone, but to this fan who mourned the passing of his ITV1 clipfest it does feel like the nearest thing you'll see in both spirit and execution. And judging by the first episode it could evolve to be just as funny.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 10th October 2016TV review: The Outcast Comic, Sky Arts
Others remember where they were when they heard that Princess Diana had died. I remember where I was when I read Andrew Lawrence's famous Facebook post about the state of modern comedy and the state of the nation in October 2014. I thought it was, erm, interesting, and messaged him quickly to ask if I could post it on beyondthejoke. I then got on a train and when I logged back on he had replied, politely saying: "Good to hear from you, but I'd rather you didn't".
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 8th October 2016Interview: rarely asked questions - Simon Munnery
The legend that is Simon Munnery has come up with more original comedy ideas than most comedians have had punchlines. Alan Parker Urban Warrior. League Against Tedium. Cluub Zarathustra and his Fylm concept among others. The last time I saw him he was doing a memorable gig at the Edinburgh Fringe celebrating three decades of maverick comedy and he did most of his characters onstage that night. He is back on tour with a brand new stage show although some old gags may slip in there too. He promises "an opening to die for, seven wry observations, a tone poem, four fresh skits and two new commandments." What's not to like?
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th October 2016Josie Long, comedy review
You might disagree with Long's Remainer stance but it is hard to resist her zest for life, says Bruce Dessau.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 4th October 2016Robin Ince wins Crick Science Journalism award
Robin Ince is the winner of the University of Northampton's annual Crick Science Journalism award.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 3rd October 2016