Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 276
Brigstocke, Finnemore & more up for BBC Audio Awards
Marcus Brigstocke, John Finnemore and sketch duo Trodd en Bratt are among the nominees for the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2015, announced today.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th January 2015Review: Tree by Daniel Kitson, Old Vic
Needless to say, there are plenty of pithy lines tossed back and forth. Kitson, of course, is such a natural performer that even lines that aren't funny on paper are funny when he delivers them while shuffling around high above the in-the-round stage (he is strapped to the trunk, he is not stupid). Key is the perfect counterpoint.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 6th January 2015Review: Piccadilly Comedy Club new comedian of the year
The first comedy competition of 2015 didn't mess about with anything as conventional as qualifying heats. The eight acts chosen were simply some of the favourites of the long-standing club that was staging the final, run by comic Mike Manera. An unusual selection process, but one that guaranteed a consistently strong level and also some familiar competition names, including the winner, Amir Khoshokhan (pictured).
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 3rd January 2015Sara Pascoe fronts vegan comedy gig
Also on the bill are Michael Legge, Lee Kern, Chris Stokes and Carl Donnelly and there will be a vegan buffet.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 2nd January 2015Early Miranda Hart comedy discovered
Early film of a live performance of a sitcom pilot starring Miranda Hart has resurfaced on YouTube.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 30th December 2014Opinion: can Dapper Laughs come back?
As comedy goes it could not have been more meta if Stewart Lee had made a cameo appearance. Just when we thought we'd seen the last of him Dapper Laughs released a new video on YouTube on Christmas Day in which he returned to earth from a buxom wench-filled heaven and put his creator, Daniel O'Reilly in his place for attempting to kill him off by donning an existentialist's black polo neck and appearing on Newsnight.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 27th December 2014Another new show from Daniel Kitson...
Daniel Kitson has confirmed that he will be performing a new show in 2015. Polyphony will be premiered at the Northcote Hall in Melbourne from March 25 to April 19 as part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd December 2014TV review: Rik Mayall - Lord of Misrule, BBC2
2014 has not been a good year for comedy departures. Robin Williams and Joan Rivers left us, but it was Rik Mayall's sudden death on June 9 that struck the most resonant chord with me. Without getting all UKIP about it, Mayall was a Great British Comic and the BBC tribute Lord of Misrule was a fitting send-off.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st December 2014TV preview: Brian Pern, A Life In Rock, BBC2, Episode 3
Apart from the absence of a mention for Rik Mayall, the other notable omission at last week's British Comedy Awards was Brian Pern.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th December 2014Robin Ince's Christmas Science Ghosts, comedy review
Most comedy gigs offer audiences something to laugh about. Robin Ince's annual Bloomsbury package also offers something to think about.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 18th December 2014