Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings
Chortle editor Steve Bennett's most memorable gigs of 2024
Another year, another 250-plus comedy shows watched as editor of Chortle. Here's my rundown of the most memorable of them. That's not always the same as the best, but there's usually a strong correlation...
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 30th December 2024Bad Tidings review
Bad Tidings feels like a sitcom special that's got too big for its Santa boots. The endearing comedy chemistry between Mack and McCausland overcomes much of this, but not all.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 22nd December 2024Review: Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE 'Ball & Boe'
For all the mucking about, they still make us invest in the relationship, ensuring the ups and downs packed into an hour have emotional resonance But never at the expense of excellent jokes and delightful turns of phrase crammed into every turn.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 18th December 2024Count Arthur Strong Is Charles Dickens In A Christmas Carol review
A unique take on a familiar festive tale.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th December 2024Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian Of The Year 2024 review
The comedy circuit may be ridiculously oversubscribed, with far more stand-ups than gigs (or at least paying ones), but that doesn't stop hopefuls applying for new act competitions in their hundreds each year.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 10th December 2024Andy Zaltzman review
He promises to offer something for all four quadrants of his fanbase: social whimsy from The Bugle podcast; headline-led comedy from The News Quiz which he has so successfully remoulded in his own voice; cricket asides for the TMS crew; and ridiculous props from those who saw him triumph in the latest series of Taskmaster.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 28th November 2024Only Child review
With an emotional heart and a truly impressive gags-per-minute rate, the BBC deserve to have a hit on their hands with this rarest of beasts - a delightful and funny new comedy.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 21st November 2024Andrew White: Young, Gay And A Third Thing
Young, Gay And A Third Thing was an agent's advice to Andrew White about how he should sell himself, reducing himself to clear classifications to be easily marketable and instantly identifiable... even if she was a terribly vague about what the third category should be.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 11th November 2024Red Richardson: Bugatti Live review
He's slightly lacking in the USP that would make him stand out from the crowded field of other roguish thirtysomething men who a pretty good at stand-up - nothing here could be described as a pure 'Red Richardson' routine - but he's certainly a funny and skilled practitioner of his art.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 11th November 2024Juno Birch: Probed review
She looks, well, out of this world, with blue face and towering peroxide beehive, dressed in wonderful 1960s-era psychedelic cropped trousers and waistcoat. Juno Birch's shtick is that she's from an alien world - well, Runcorn, really, but close enough - while insisting: "I come in peace".
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 7th November 2024