Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 225
Nica Burns appeals for more support for new comedy
Edinburgh Comedy Awards director Nica Burns has appealed to broadcasters and newspapers to support new comedy.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 8th August 2016Rarely asked questions - Elliot Steel
Am I getting older or are the comedians getting younger? Probably both I guess. When I was first impressed by Elliot Steel a couple of years ago he was doing autobiographical gags about underage drinking. That's how young he is. Since then he has become old enough to vote and become a sharper, more mature comedian while still retaining that mischievous scalliwag streak. It's probably no surprise he is so skilful, his father is seasoned stand-up Mark Steel, so in a way he is going into the family business. Did he inherit the talent or was he taught it? Never mind the nature/nurture bollocks, he's funny and that's what matters.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th August 2016Interview: Rarely Asked Questions - Elliot Steel
t's probably no surprise he is so skillful, his father is seasoned stand-up Mark Steel, so in a way he is going into the family business. Did he inherit the talent, did he learn it or was he taught it?
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th August 2016Rarely asked questions - Brennan Reece
Brennan Reece is definitely going places. He won the English Comedian of the Year award in 2015 beating stand-ups old enough to be his parents and since then has performed in Australia and supported Joe Lycett on tour. He is a veritable livewire onstage, chatting about his family, his life, football and finding the funny side everywhere. Everglow is his debut hour at the Edinburgh Fringe and you will be hearing more from him.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 6th August 2016Content Provider by Stewart Lee - book review
You have to have a thick skin to be a columnist. I went off the idea of blogging regularly when I published a think-piece about an offhand remark Josie Long made onstage and Jason Manford responded by saying that I didn't have to turn every thought into a column. Stewart Lee must have the hide of an elephant as he has managed to turn out enough Observer, Shortlist & New Statesman columns (plus a press release for the band Wolf People who I assume really exist) in five years to fill this book.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 6th August 2016Rarely asked questions - Adam Hess
I laughed like a loon at Adam Hess' Fringe show last summer. The gags flew around the room at such a fast and furious pace that I was still chuckling at one punchline when the next one hit me. He more than deserved his Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nomination. As well as the wordplay and one-liners there is a playful, childlike streak to Hess. He felt a bit like a boy trapped in a man's body. His new show is called Feathers. I'm hoping to be tickled again.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 5th August 2016Rarely asked questions - Liz Miele
Liz Miele's stand-up show Mind Over Melee is about her experiences as an anxiety-ridden American. She jokes about her struggles with her physical health, mental illness in her family, dating, travelling through Europe alone and coming to grips with getting older and being an adult, all with a skewed logic of an angry New Yorker trying to make sense of everything. Sounds great, although I think the title should have been Making A Miele Of It.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 4th August 2016Rarely asked questions - Doug Segal
Doug Segal is a comedy mind reader and his latest show is designed to make you feel good with a mix of tricks that will make your brain boggle and jokes that will tickle your funny bone. Apparently the Evening Standard said of him: "Imagine if Derren Brown was funny'". I don't think it was me that said it, but maybe Segal got me to say it after casting a spell on me.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 3rd August 2016Review: Fleabag, BBC Three, episode 3
There is a hint of some character development towards the end of the third episode of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's excellent series. Jogging through a graveyard Fleabag suddenly seems to see the world in a different way. Could she be heading for a happy ending?
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 3rd August 2016Deborah Frances-White Rolls The Dice recommissioned
Deborah Frances-White's hit award-winning radio comedy Deborah Frances-White Rolls The Dice is to return to Radio 4 this autumn for a second series. Series one was the winner of Best Radio Comedy at the 2016 Writers Guild Awards.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 3rd August 2016