Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 239
Live review: Jena Friedman, Soho Theatre
Jena Friedman certainly looks like she has plenty of attitude in her surly press shots. And calling her show American C*nt - even with an asterisk - is quite audacious. Onstage, however, she is less in your face. There are only flashes where she justifies her own build-up.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 24th March 2016John Cleese hits out at 'Faulty' show
John Cleese has hit out at Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, the unofficial homage to the legendary TV series written by Cleese and Connie Booth. In an interview he has talked about taking legal action.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd March 2016Preview: Flat TV, BBC Three
Since BBC Three went online it has had identity problems. A show such as Cuckoo might be good but it doesn't seem to chime with the bold new future of online viewing. On the other hand Flat TV, which originated on the web, feels exactly like the programme you might expect an online channel aimed at a young audience to make. In both a good way and a bad way.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 22nd March 2016Romesh Ranganathan nominated for South Bank Award
Romesh Ranganathan has been nominated for The Times Sky Arts South Bank Breakthrough Award. Michaela Coel is also nominated for Chewing Gum.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st March 2016Review: Thatcher Stole My Trousers by Alexei Sayle
The latest volume of Alexei Sayle's autobiography, following Stalin Ate My Homework, takes us through the most exciting - and contrasting - years of his life. At the start he is a penniless student, at the end he is hanging out with Sting and wrestling with his politically charged conscience about success and money.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th March 2016New live show from Daniel Kitson announced
Daniel Kitson is to perform a new show later this year.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th March 2016Review: Glasgow Comedy Festival, Isy Suttie
I love a bit of whimsy but in the past I've found Suttie to be almost too whimsical. But the book - or maybe hitting her thirties and becoming a mum - seems to have given her more focus. Her stories and songs now feel more relatable. Suttie is still slightly nutty, but in a good way. Maybe she should write a musical next.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th March 2016Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle preview - Patriotsm
The most interesting point Stewart Lee makes in the third episode of his current series, subtitled 'Patriotism', comes at the start when he talks about the biggest problem the modern satirist faces. The news is in such flux, says Lee, it is hard to get a handle on it for comedy. And if Lee is having that problem, spare a thought for lesser mortals out there trying to monetize their social commentary.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 16th March 2016Whose Line Is It Anyway? live show returns
Influential improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway? is to return to London's West End for 14 performances only. It will run at the London Palladium from 9-19 June 2016.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 15th March 2016Review: Glasgow Comedy Festival, Romesh Ranganathan
I hadn't seen Ranganathan onstage for a while now and it was interesting to see how his stage style has evolved. Perhaps it was no surprise that he went down so well at last night's Glasgow International Comedy Festival performance as the two comedians he reminded me of the most were local heroes Frankie Boyle and Kevin Bridges.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 15th March 2016