Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 310
Review: Richard Herring's Leicester Square Podcast
Michael Parkinson eat your heart out. Roll over Graham Norton and tell Alan Carr the news. Richard Herring's "Stephen Fry in suicide attempt" scoop has shown that the biggest stories are not always stage managed and released to the media as part of a strategy worked out with military precision.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 8th June 2013Jack Carroll is a winner whether he wins BGT or not
So tonight's the night that Jack Carroll either makes it big on Britain's Got Talent or heads back to obscurity. Nothing of the sort of course.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 8th June 2013Opinion: First Impressions - how not to start a gig
I've heard it said that a famous comedian has about two minutes grace to make an audience like them, while for newbies the stay of execution lasts a brutal 30 seconds. I've rarely seen this confirmed as much as last night at the 99 Club in Leicester Square during Alfie Brown's set.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 5th June 2013Review: Cat Laughs Festival, Kilkenny, Part 1
The Cat Laughs Festival does feel very Ireland-specific. It is like comedy in a bubble. There were very few references to Jimmy Savile, though Karl Spain drew some gasps suggesting that Savile was now a very modern celebrity because he was famous for who he slept with.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 4th June 2013Review: The Lumberjacks, Leicester Square Theatre
It's the moment the comedy world has been waiting for. Craig Campbell, Stewart Francis and Glenn Wool back together again at last.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 1st June 2013Review: Wil Anderson, Soho Theatre
Mainly this is a slick, easy, friendly feelgood set that never makes the audience awkward, even when it is about osteoarthritis.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 30th May 2013Want to get old? Buy a typewriter or hide away
I guess the longevity of comedy writers and of Bill Pertwee suggests that if you want to live to a ripe old age don't be a star.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 27th May 2013ITV's Tommy Cooper drama - Can we see the funny side?
The question is will this be another example of a drama that focuses on a comedian behaving badly?
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 24th May 2013Opinion: In praise of Michael McIntyre
Onstage at the Bloomsbury, Michael McIntyre seemed as hungry for laughs as when I saw him playing a converted public toilet on Shepherds Bush Green a decade ago.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th May 2013Opinion: How do you follow the main attraction?
Lee Evans went on during the build-up to the end. This made it harder for the acts that followed.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th May 2013