Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 296
Jim Davidson announces UK tour
Following his victory in Celebrity Big Brother Jim Davidson has announced a major 54-date UK tour starting at the Great Yarmouth Britannia Pier on September 5. 'No Further Action' will see Davidson tell the story of his arrest and the nightmare 12 months that followed, the clearing of his name and winning the heart of the nation all over again as a Big Brother champion.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th March 2014Jack Whitehall, Wembley Arena - comedy review
In terms of production values this may well be the most spectacular arena stand-up show ever. It is a shame then, that the gift did not always live up to the flashy wrapping paper.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 17th March 2014Opinion: How true does comedy have to be?
Miranda Hart has come in for criticism this week from reviewers who felt that some of her jokes in her arena show did not ring true.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 15th March 2014Lynn Ruth Miller, Soho Theatre - comedy review
Lynn Ruth Miller's follow-your-dream message is hardly original but she is undeniably an inspirational living tribute to her philosophy.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 14th March 2014Tim Key, Arcola Tent - comedy review
Like the recent work of Daniel Kitson, whom Tim Key collaborated with last autumn, this bold in-the-round show takes storytelling into unexpected places.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 12th March 2014Review: GQ Extravaganza, Hammersmith Apollo
GQ has a long-standing reputation for being a stylish fashion magazine, but it is also building up a reputation for stylish comedy. Thanks to the contacts book and charm of its comedy editor, stand-up James Mullinger, it has put together a number of striking special editions featuring the world's greatest clowns and comedy actors from Jerry Seinfeld to Paul Rudd and Ricky Gervais. This year they went one stage further with a formidable comedy gig, which worked absolutely brilliantly. Until the headline act came on...
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 11th March 2014Review: The Michael Mcintyre Chat Show, BBC One
In some ways this may be the simplest review I've ever written. If you like Michael McIntyre you'll like TMMCS. If you don't you won't.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 11th March 2014Daniel Kitson - Brilliant As Ever, But...
Seasoned Kitson aficionados will know that he can be better than this.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 10th March 2014Inside No. 9, BBC2's dark comedy thriller series from half a League of Gents, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, who were also behind Psychoville, has been a critical hit but has not excelled in the ratings. Episodes have attracted a not-so-thrilling average of 800,000 viewers, but fans of the tales with a twist will be relieved to hear that a sequel has been commissioned. The decision was taken before the series was broadcast - if the number-crunchers had seen the figures maybe they would have had second thoughts. Catch the final edition, The Harrowing, with Helen McCrory guesting, on Wednesday.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 10th March 2014Opinion: Should Justin Lee Collins be on the radio?
The announcement has prompted some serious head-scratching. Should the station be employing Collins? It's a classic difficult decision. He has served his sentence, he has a right to work. I guess in this case you have a right not to subscribe to him. Or maybe to paraphrase one wag on Twitter, you have a right to cancel your introductory free subscription. Will those on a free trial listen to the man who was on trial?
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th March 2014