Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 30
Toast Of Tinseltown review
With no great change from the Channel 4 series, Toast Of Tinseltown might not win this bonkers, larger-than-life creation many more fans beyond its original devoted, but cult-sized fanbase. Nonetheless, it's good to see mainstream TV still has space for this thick-skinned self-centred oddball.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 4th January 2022When live comedy was illegal... 10 memorable gigs of 2021
Twelve months ago it seemed uncertain whether it would be possible to produce this annual list of my ten most memorable gigs. But lockdown eventually eased, and the resilience and sprightliness of the comedy world meant live gigs sprung back instantly. Even the Edinburgh Fringe took place - albeit in a slimmed-down version, more chilled and friendlier than normal, barely recognisable without its usual intensity.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 29th December 2021Ghosts Christmas special review
Charles Dickens knew ghosts made the perfect Christmas characters... and now the spookily successful BBC sitcom has followed suit.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 23rd December 2021Mark Thomas: An Extra Plate review
If you can't do sentiment at Christmas, when can you do it? In An Extra Plate, Mark Thomas again puts his campaigning political comedy on pause to focus on his family, via selection of personal memories range from the seasonably gladdening to the achingly bittersweet. For, he explains, like all Christmas good stories, his comes with 'a whiff of death'.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 16th December 2021Russell Howard: Lubricant and Until The Wheels Come Off review
They are the actions of an addict, going to extreme lengths to get their next fix. With Covid having denied him the chance to do proper gigs for the best part of a year, Russell Howard leapt on the opportunity to perform in New Zealand. But strict Covid quarantine laws meant he had to confine himself to a hotel bedroom for two weeks just to play three shows.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 15th December 2021Leicester Square New Comedian Of The Year 2021 review
The dearth of gigs during lockdown seems to have had no adverse effect on new comedians learning their craft. Quite the opposite, in fact. Those who made the final of the Leicester Square New Act Of The Year last night - and there were 15 of them - were stronger than ever.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 14th December 2021Paul Chowdhry: Family-Friendly Comedian review
Nine years ago, Chowdhry was a trailblazer on this very stage, becoming the first British Asian to appear on Live At The Apollo. Now he affects some bitterness to those who have surpassed him, such as 'coconut' Nish Kumar, 'wannabe roadman' Guz Khan and 'googly-eyed' Romesh Ranganathan. But their success is down to writing and graft... and on the first, at least, Chowdhry falls short.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 10th December 2021String V Spitta review
Review of Ed MacArthur and Kiell Smith-Bynoe's class-crossing double act.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 3rd December 2021Stephen Buchanan: Talking Shop review
His easy-going, personable stand-up won Stephen Buchanan the BBC New Comedy Award back in 2018. But this show - a revised reprisal of his 2019 Fringe debut - never finds the higher gears to fully capitalise on the promise.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 2nd December 2021Review: 2Northdown's New Act of 2021 final
11 up-and-coming comics compete for London venue's title.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 1st December 2021