Comedy - stand-up and comedian interviews, previews and profiles

Review Funny Men

Lizzie Pillinger sees the comedy play in Leeds before it heads to Edinburgh this summer

Don’t go expecting a laugh-a-minute. This piece is about comedy, rather than being a comedy itself. Even so, if you want your perceptions challenged, and to be left with your brain contorting in a bid for comprehension, this is for you. Martin Knowles and Ben Eagle present a compelling performance…

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Interview Mark Little

We speak to the former 'Neighbours' star now performing in comedy play Defending The Caveman

“A lot of people know my name as Joe Mangel more than Mark Little - it’s quite insane, but that’s just the way it goes. He’s stuck like shit to corduroy, as they say,” Little laughs, as we reminisce about his time on ‘Neighbours’. “Joe Mangel’s done this thing to…

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Preview Funny Men

We look ahead to some comedy theatre

A comedy stage play by a Yorkshire writer is being performed in Leeds this fortnight before it heads up to the Edinburgh Fringe later in the year. Funny Men, which Icabod Productions describe as a “witty and poignant” comedy, was written by Bradford playwright Andrew Crowther through the city’s Snowgoose…

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Interview Paul Daniels

From his own show on the BBC to variety with The Krankies, the former TV magician talks to Ben Johnson about touring, sausages and what he really thinks of David Blaine

It’s only five minutes into my conversation with Paul Daniels and we’re already talking about sausages. “This year we were judges during British Sausage Week and it was fantastic to taste sausage from all over the country, but by far and away the best ones were from the heart of…

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Preview Mr Ben's Comedy Club

A new comedy club is in town

Exciting times are afoot at Mr Ben’s on Albion Street, with the venue neatly refurbished and hosting a range of exciting new entertainment. It has been a well regarded establishment for drinking and live music, but if you head down to the new look venue these days you’ll also find…

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Interview Tom Wrigglesworth

Simon O'Hare chats to the Sheffield comic whose star is on the rise

Tom Wrigglesworth’s excellent Open Letter to Richard Branson tour calls into The Library this fortnight, in which he recounts his real life run-in with an over-zealous train guard who tried to have him arrested after he held a whip-round for a pensioner who was travelling with an ‘invalid’ ticket.

Have…

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Interview Carl Donnelly

We catch up with the conversational comic

How did you first break into comedy?
I was in a job I didn’t enjoy having dropped out of university, and my girlfriend who knew I was a stand-up fan found a workshop for new comedy writers and signed me up for it. That was at the end of…

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Interview Stewart Francis

Simon O'Hare chats to the deadpan Canadian before his gig in Leeds

Leeds comedy fans have the rare chance to see one-line master Stewart Francis perform in the city this fortnight, as his Tour de Francis calls in at the Library pub.

So, you’ve started your tour - how’s it going so far?
Wonderful, so far so good.

Have you been…

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Interview John Bishop

Simon O'Hare puts the questions to the Liverpudlian comic

John Bishop takes time out from his ‘Elvis Has Left the Building’ tour to reflect on his career to date - and to ponder whether scousers have a unique sense of humour.

Can you remember your first gig?
Yes, it was at the Frog and Bucket in Manchester and…

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Preview Jim Jeffries

Fiona Dunphy talks to the LA-loving "filthmonger"

How would you describe your own comedy style in a nutshell?
Storytelling - that’s what I’d say, but other people would say I’m a filthmonger. 90% of it’s true, the rest of it’s observational stuff, and there’s a tiny bit of embellishment in there.

Which comics have most influenced…

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