Press clippings Page 13
Bruce Dessau's top comedy gigs for 2016
Having been spoilt for choice when it came to picking TV highlights the live highlights felt thinner on the ground this year. The Edinburgh Fringe featured a lot of very good shows but few really great ones. Maybe comedians were a little knocked sideways by the Brexit vote. but two did respond well - see below. Elsewhere there were a few excellent big gigs and small gigs and it was nice to see some West End runs rather than bank raid arena one-offs. These shows are listed in absolutely no particular order.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st December 2016Review: Josie Long, Somthing Better, New York
Something Better is exactly what lefties need to add to their current arsenal of persistence and rebellion, while those on the right could help bridge the gap of understanding between the two political wings, just by attending and helping engage.
Jamie Rosler, The Reviews Hub, 30th November 2016Josie Long: comic who will conquer Brexit & Trump
Josie Long' stage at the Barrow Street Theatre, New York is hung with flags sewn with images and slogans that represent the show, an aesthetic that's Wes Anderson meets suffragette protests outside the White House in 1919. One flag has the image of Jaiyah Saeluah--a soccer player for the famously losing American Samoan team and the first transgender player to compete in the FIFA World Cup. Another reads, "ADELE IS A GENIUS COME AT ME." And in the center of the stage, there's a banner with the name of the show, Something Better.
Dana Schwartz, The Observer, 29th November 2016Leicester Comedy Festival line-up announced
Next year's Leicester Comedy Festival will have as many events as ever, despite the headline sponsorship deal coming to an end.
Tom Mack, Leicester Mercury, 7th November 2016Lolitics comedy club bans irony and stops banter
A London comedy club has banned ironic comments and 'banter' with the audience to create a 'safe space' for stand-up. But just make sure you are not a Conservative, as then you risk being called a 'racist bigot' a 'f****** monster' or even a 'f****** c***bag of a t***'.
Rory Tingle, Daily Mail, 5th November 2016My First Job: Josie Long
My first paid gig was a 10-minute set at the Comedy Cafe in London when I was 18.
John Byrne, The Stage, 11th October 2016Josie Long: Something Better review
Ultimately, the message is that while her side is beaten and down, despair is a luxury that can't be indulged. Optimism isn't just a vacuous state of mind, it needs action to sustain it - and if you need motivation into taking that action, Long's your woman.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 5th October 2016Josie Long review
The usually sanguine standup draws laughs and skewers stereotypes with her account of being leftwing in a rightwing age.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 5th October 2016Josie Long, comedy review
You might disagree with Long's Remainer stance but it is hard to resist her zest for life, says Bruce Dessau.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 4th October 2016Josie Long interview
Josie Long explains why she's making a show about optimism after Brexit and a break-up.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 29th September 2016