Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 247
Spencer Jones review: there's method in the madcap
Jones, in the guise of almost wordless tight-wearing fool The Herbert, takes traditional knockabout prop comedy and appears to merge it with something more meaningful, says Bruce Dessau.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 26th October 2015Online review: Matt Berry Does...Ghosts, BBC iPlayer
The latest short online micro-comedy from fruity-voiced Matt Berry takes its inspiration from Halloween. "UK ghosts are real and they are here to stay...they make you shit yourself," Berry explains at the outset.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th October 2015Richard Briers to be honoured with blue plaque
The British Comedy Society is to honour late actor Richard Briers CBE with a blue plaque.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th October 2015TV review: Russell Howard's Good News, BBC2
There's not much sting to Howard's satire, but if you like comedy that leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling Good News is pretty good.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd October 2015Why do some comics get hecklers more than others?
It has been interesting to see that Kevin Bridges had trouble with hecklers at a recent Edinburgh Playhouse gig. Reports have suggested that noisy audience members spoilt an otherwise excellent show.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd October 2015Ahir Shah, comedy review
At times, this feels closer to a TED talk than a stand-up gig.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 22nd October 2015Altitude 2016 names announced
Names confirmed include Jim Jefferies, Sean Lock, Michael Mittermeier, Stephen K Amos, Daniel Sloss, Luisa Omielan, Abandoman, Sofie Hagen, Phil Nichol, Jamali Maddix, Alfie Brown, Kai Humphries, Andre Vincent, Forrest Shaw, Jenny Bede, Matt Reed, Amy Howerska and The International Impro Allstars.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st October 2015TV preview: Together, BBC3, episode 3
It's hard to decide what I like the most about Together. Alex MacQueen's inspired performance as pedantic dad-he-was-born-to-play Ashley? Vicki Pepperdine's fussy trapped-in-her-marriage mum Lesley or Jonny Sweet's starring role as Tom, the man-child trying to woo Ellen (Cara Theobold).
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th October 2015Interview: rarely asked questions - Mitch Benn
Mitch Benn is a busy man. Very busy. When not on the radio doing his own shows or topical songs on The Now Show, the Liverpool-born comedian is often on tour. When he's not on the radio or on tour he is writing books. He has not one but two successful novels under his belt, Terra and Terra's World. And when he is not doing any of this things he is quite possibly watching Dr Who.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th October 2015Film review: Aaaaaaaah!
One thing is certain. You won't see another film like Aaaaaaaah! this year. Or, probably, any year. And not just because Steve Oram's directorial debut has no dialogue except for ape-like grunts, but also because it features Toyah Willcox having a shit in a kitchen and Noel Fielding getting his knob gobbled in a seedy cameo.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th October 2015