thu 07/08/2025

Comedy Reviews

Live From the Grand Hall, BAC review - strong mixed bill to start autumn season

Veronica Lee

After a successful – and very welcome - summer season of gigs in its outdoor courtyard, Battersea Arts Centre has come indoors for its autumn season of comedy from the Grand Hall; it started with this strong mixed bill curated by the promoters Berk's Nest.

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Picnic at the Castle review - entertaining mixed bill

Veronica Lee

Of all the outdoor spaces being utilised to keep live performance going in this maddest of years, Warwick Castle is surely among the most striking. Its Picnic at the Castle series has the building as an imposing backdrop to events, the stage reached by a wooden bridge across the River Avon.

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Mixed bill, 21Soho review - opening of new club is cause for celebration

Veronica Lee

Comedy is all about timing, and the owners of the UK's newest comedy club should know. Just days after they obtained the final licences they needed to open, the national lockdown was announced in March. 

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The Warren Outdoor Season, Brighton review - creatives take to the beach

Veronica Lee

The Warren is normally to be found in Brighton city centre, where it stages shows during the Brighton Fringe.

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The New Normal, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building review - strong mixed bill

Veronica Lee

We live in strange times, so it's appropriate that a socially distanced pop-up arts festival – of theatre, comedy, improv, music and magic – calls itself The New Normal.

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John Cleese, livestream from Cadogan Hall review - abandon all hope, says the former Python

Veronica Lee

At the age of 80, John Cleese probably doesn't care what people think of him. But then, when you were one-sixth of Monty Python and co-creator of one of TV's funniest sitcoms, you can afford not to play to the gallery as the royalties from Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers still roll in (even if, as he never tires of telling his audiences, a fair chunk goes in alimony).

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Comedy in the Courtyard, BAC review - al fresco gags

Veronica Lee

After drive-ins, now come Covid-secure outdoor shows as the comedy industry tries to find its way back to normality. Battersea Arts Centre is utilising its hitherto unused courtyard for a season of outdoor comedy, during which Al Murray and Russell Howard will perform.

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Mark Watson's Carpool Comedy Club, Hever Castle review - mixed bill with gags and gourmet food

Veronica Lee

Drive-in comedy shows are now well into their groove (although sadly a couple of promoters have had to cut their losses because of poor sales at some venues), and distinct differences in approach to what's on offer have emerged. Clearly going for the upper end of the market is Dine and Drive Theatre, an old hand at curating outdoor events, whose USP is classy locations and food catered by top chef Tom Kerridge.

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Car Park Comedy, Henley review - Comedy Store's mixed bill

Veronica Lee

Hot on the heels of The Car Park Club and @TheDriveIn comes Car Park Party, a series of shows presented in partnership with The Comedy Store. Car Park Party presents an evening of four comics doing short sets, presented by an MC.

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@TheDriveIn, Blackheath review - comedy and car-aoke

Veronica Lee

Drive-ins are now firmly establishing themselves as the only method by which culture fans can see live arts in person for the future. Hot on the heels of The Drive-In Club comes @TheDriveIn, sponsored by Suzuki and produced by Jericho Comedy.

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