Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 108
Review - Josie Long: Romance and Adventure on Radio 4
Romance And Adventure, based on a couple of short films she previously made with Douglas King, doesn't go for relentless punchlines, but its warm humour, upbeat sentiment and emotional sincerity are compelling.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 1st April 2016Review: Andrew Maxwell's Late Agenda
His style is half-mischief, half 'wake up people!' preacher, which is a heady mix, and the analogies and explanations offer up witty turns of phrase to make memorable the points he so passionately drives home.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 25th March 2016Thatcher Stole My Trousers, by Alexei Sayle - review
We'll probably never see anything like the alternative comedy revolution again. Even if the artform detours into another cul-de-sac of tired tropes - where you could argue mainstream stand-up has been heading for a while - the particular economic, social and political forces of the post-punk, nascently Thatcherite era are likely to be unique.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th March 2016Preview: Stop/Start
It's a great cast: John Thomson as watchable as ever, Nigel Havers seems to relish being the ageing lothario worried about the age difference with his trophy wife (even though this can't hope match his performances with Brian Pern) - and whatever the script's failings this won't do any harm to Kerry Godliman's growing reputation as a subtle comic actor. But the jokes, from the usually fine Docherty and based on his Radio 4 sitcom, feels sluggish and obvious, a few nifty turns of phrase notwithstanding. Of course being unsubtle is no barrier to big audiences - quite the opposite, as Mrs Brown's Boy and Citizen Khan have proved. So expect this to be the one of the Comedy Playhouses to be commissioned.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 11th March 2016Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle review
Accused of intellectual snobbery, Stewart Lee hits back, pointing out that it's a valid performance device, under the theatrical technique of Brechtian alienation. Thus explaining himself and reinforcing the criticism in one kamikaze blow.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 3rd March 2016Review: Nina Conti: In Your Face
As she has done so often before, Conti spurns a lot of her artform's conventions.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 2nd March 2016Hosptial People review
Hospital People has plenty of nice lines, although it falls between a sketch show and a sitcom, not quite having enough plot to justify the latter, beyond the general threat of creeping commercial interests. That's a timely theme, but having a more specific plot would certainly benefit Hospital People were it picked up for a series. Here's hoping, for the deadpanned innuendos could fill a big slot.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 26th February 2016Lucy Roper: InappROPERiate review
You'll have already spotted the name-based pun in the title InappROPERiate, but a more accurate one might be Lucy Roperrrrr, as this is an agonisingly hesitant hour, full of apologetic verbal mumbles that doesn't inspire any confidence in her abilities. A fear not without justification.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 21st February 2016Carl Jones and Nina Gilligan review
There are two works in progress in this double bill, and both could do with some more work to progress, to a greater or lesser degree.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 21st February 2016Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year 2016 review
The penultimate night of Leicester's three-week comedy love-in means it's time for the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, the traditional beginning of the end of the city's comedy festival. Once again it's sold out, but then punters know there's going to be talent here as all the contenders have been selected by promoters from around the country.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 21st February 2016