Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 105
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie - review
Producers did not release the Ab Fab film to the critics ahead of its release yesterday, which is rarely a vote of confidence. Add to that the fact that it's a big-screen adaptation of a sitcom - a genre with a patchy track record, The Inbetweeners Movie notwithstanding - and that it uses the tired and tested plot device of plonking their characters somewhere foreign, and the signs are not encouraging. Yet despite such portents, Absolutely Fabulous is as much of a fun, raucous romp as fans would have hoped for - director Mandie Fletcher throwing proceedings into the preposterous story and high camp with as much vigour now as there was when the series started a rather incredible 24 years ago.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 2nd July 2016Review - Brickhead: Yeah Yeah Yeah?
Brickhead has the requisite playfulness and pseudo-vulnerability, which makes him easily likeable, even if the show is in search of purpose.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 19th June 2016The World Of Simon Rich review
It's in the longer fictions in which the show finds its own place and pace, with an unhurried storytelling that sets up delightful images. The absurdity starts with a whimsical Alice In Wonderland-style tale about a nine-year-old girl and her adventures with a waistcoated goat.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 2nd June 2016Gasping review
Greg Hemphill has achieved what the Daily Mail has been trying to do for years: silenced Frankie Boyle.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 1st June 2016Rovers review
Nothing much happens of note in this world, and it's the comedy of contented smiles rather than gut-busing belly laughs. But Rovers is warmly amusing throughout, with a strong whiff of authenticity and characters you like spending time with. "Everyone's really nice, aren't they?" says Sam after meeting the tiny fan club. Yep, Sam, they are.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th May 2016James Hamilton Is So Lonely review
In his first solo show, James Hamilton, has created an engagingly watchable character comedy narrative - albeit one which gets rather too bogged down in its convoluted storyline to produce too many laugh-out-loud moments.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th May 2016No Such Thing as the News review
There's no such thing as a dull moment in BBC Two's new topical comedy No Such Thing As The News - a look behind the headlines presented by the 'elves' who research QI.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 20th May 2016John Dowie at the Poetry Cafe review
This is John Dowie's first gig in 14 years, and it's a low-key affair in the basement of a Central London poetry cafe.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 20th May 2016Daniel Kitson review
The biggest surprise, though, for those used to Kitson selling out in minutes, is why the Liverpool Everyman was only half-full last night; a clash with Liverpool FC's Europa League showdown with Sevilla notwithstanding.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 19th May 2016'David Baddiel - My Family: Not The Sitcom' review
David Baddiel's certainly got more outrageous stories to recall than most, and tells them in warmly witty style. I wish this show long life.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 18th May 2016