Veronica Lee
- Journalist
Press clippings Page 33
Why vote's no laughing matter for Scottish stand-ups
If you're visiting the Edinburgh Fringe next month, you might expect comics to be cracking jokes about the referendum for Scottish independence, which takes place just weeks after the festival ends. But for many stand-ups it will be a case of, as the Scots say, haud yer wheesht on the subject. One funnyman from north of the border told me it has become "toxic" and there are even some No supporters among stand-ups who genuinely fear violence if they go public on how they will vote.
Veronica Lee, The Independent, 11th July 2014Monty Python, O2 Arena, review
It could have been an embarrassment all round; a bunch of blokes in their seventies revisiting material that was anarchic and transformative 40 years ago but which they are now performing for 10 lucrative nights in the home of commercial comedy. Fear not, though, Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down Five to Go - surely the final farewell tour - proves that quality endures. And in the hands of the show's deviser and director, Eric Idle, it can be made into something new and fresh as well.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 1st July 2014Review: Dawn French, Brighton Theatre Royal
One half of comedy duo makes assured debut as solo performer.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 26th June 2014Review: Adrienne Truscott, Soho Theatre
Show about a serious subject is acidly funny.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 16th May 2014David Baddiel, Menier Chocolate Factory - Review
An intelligent and witty examination of modern celebrity.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 3rd May 2014Cardinal Burns, Channel 4
A move from E4, where sketch duo Cardinal Burns's debut series was shown, to Channel 4 is a significant jump. A bigger budget (one presumes), a broader target demographic and the confidence of your employers should act as a fillip to performers; on the evidence of last night's opener to their second series, that confidence was well placed.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 30th April 2014Review - Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This, ITV
Entertaining if unilluminating biopic about the comedian.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 22nd April 2014Festival of the Unspoken Nerd, Udderbelly, review
The threesome perform with gusto and you can learn lots of fun stuff.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 18th April 2014Jack Whitehall, O2 Arena review
Decent storyteller who needs more convincing material.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 18th March 2014Review: Miranda Hart, O2 Arena
Hart is an undeniably warm performer who held the O2 in her thrall and most of the audience thoroughly enjoyed the show. But just as I thought I might be suffocated by her lack of ambition and blandness, Hart pulled a masterstroke; she left the stage as a 10-minute, tightly edited film that tied up all the show's strands in a series of well executed gags was played on the big screens. It gains the third star.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 14th March 2014