Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 27
Sideshow review
This is what Inside No. 9 could have been, had it not for the genius of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith: a plodding, cliche-ridden adventure short of both surprises and laughs.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th March 2022Hannah Gadsby: Body Of Work review
This, Hannah Gadsby insists, is a 'feelgood show'.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 10th March 2022Catherine Bohart: This Isn't For You review
As she charts her breakup, the comic engages in some effortless to-and-fro with the audience, asking after their experiences of relationships. It offers a measured portion of spontaneity to the hour, but more crucially cements the tone of amiable intimacy that conceals her more barbed points.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 9th March 2022Count Arthur Strong: And This Is Me! review
Count Arthur Strong is leaving behind his 'meticulously researched' lectures of old. No more talks on astronomy or Ancient Egypt, instead the befuddled old duffer is talking about 'me and the man behind myself - who is also me'.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 8th March 2022The Witchfinder review
Expectations are high when you have a cast of comedy nobility, led by Tim Key and Daisy May Cooper, and a script from the writers of Alan Partridge. Yet The WitchfinderDaniel Rigby can't quite deliver on that promise, if not for a want of ambition.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 8th March 2022#CancelKarenDunbar review
Tellingly, the documentary puts 50-year-old Dunbar in front of a much younger audience, trying out a new routine (with the aid of writer Steven Dick) with all she's been exploring about 'punching up' who owns the right to joke about certain topics. And you know what she makes them laugh - mostly - without losing her grit to some imagined liberal soppiness. It's almost as if you can actually do comedy in today's climate without falling foul of liberal witchfinders - and without going into extremes of crass offensiveness. That course might be more difficult that before, but the message is that it's possible. And comedy's probably better for it.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 28th February 2022Matt Chorley: Who Is In Charge Here? review
Chorley's a knowledgable political commentator, but struggles with the extra mile to convert that into a strong evening's comedy.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 25th February 2022Mo Gilligan: There's Mo To Life review
While Gilligan is undeniably a slick, assured entertainer, more than enough honesty and likeable humility shines through.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 23rd February 2022The Real Charlie Chaplin review
He's one of the few comedians to whom the word 'iconic' can properly be applied. The cane, the bowler hat, the ill-fitting, threadbare suit and that pencil moustache - you know Charlie Chaplin whether you've seen any of his films or not.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 18th February 2022Ed Gamble: Electric review
Ed Gamble is a lovely boy who wants to be a bad boy - and that chasm is as close as anything to a theme in his new stand-up tour.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th February 2022