Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 272
Peter Kay launches new online series in Blackpool
Peter Kay will be launching his new BBC series Car Share with a fundraiser at the Blackpool Opera House on Saturday 28th March. Money raised will go to the Derian House Children's Hospice.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th February 2015Sarah Kendall, Touchdown, Soho Theatre - comedy review
'A funny, heartwarming tale for anyone who has endured heartache growing up -- which is probably everyone,' says Bruce Dessau.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 26th February 2015Review: Funny Valentines - Russ Abbot: Last Chance
In a selection of nine short films you would expect there to be one dud and I'd have put my money on Last Chance. While most of the BBC's Funny Valentines feature names from the cutting edge of comedy this features Russ Abbot and is written by Roy Last of the Summer Wine Clarke, two people more from the wrinkling edge of TV comedy. But actually this is not so bad after all.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th February 2015Review: Funny Valentines - Katy Wix: Dear Jean-Pierre
Katy Wix]s romantic short film is a tear-stained Dear John letter, or rather a Dear Jean-Pierre letter, as her ex-lover she is breaking the news to is a French man who doesn't speak any English.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th February 2015Review: Matt Forde, Soho Theatre
In General Election year it is more important than ever to have comedians engaging with politics. There are plenty who drop a soupcon of satire into their shows, but not many who deliver an hour of solid humour about the people who either are governing the country or want to govern the country. This is precisely what Forde delivers.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th February 2015Review: Funny Valentines - Matt Berry: Wild Love
I don't know if Matt Berry has ever done the voiceover for a real wildlife documentary but, boy would it liven them up if he was given free reign by the nature department's Clem Fandangos.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th February 2015Review: Funny Valentines - Romesh Ranganathan: Rom Com
Romesh Ranganathan's short film seems to have taken its inspiration from Dapper Laughs. Ranganathan plays a geeky guy on a first date at a bowling alley getting advice from his laddish alter ego, also played by RR, who mocks him for being such a hopeless nerd and suggests he try a bit more banter. Of course, apart from the premise Rom Com is not remotely like Dapper Laughs. This is actually funny, as we see how the date went in flashback alongside a nice montage of previous dates - RR, by the way, can do a mean robot dance.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th February 2015Review: Funny Valentines - Nick Helm: Elephant
Nick Helm's deceptively ambitious short feels more like a rough draft for a full-length indie film rather than a TV sketch.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th February 2015How not to improvise by Phil Mann of BattleActs
Phil Mann is artistic director of BattleActs and Spacejunk and an IdeasTap Creative Space Associate Member. Improvisation group BattleActs is appearing at the Vault Festival in Waterloo from Wednesdays to Sundays, Feb 18 - March 1. Tickets here. So we asked Phil to give Beyond The Joke his thoughts on improvisation. It's not all Whose Line Is It Anyway? you know...
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 16th February 2015Review: Funny Valentines - Bill Bailey: Love Song
Bill Bailey is known as a nature-loving, eco-friendly comedian so maybe that's why he has recycled a song he has been doing for over a decade for the BBC iPlayer's Funny Valentines series. That's not a negative criticism. Far from it.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 16th February 2015