Bruce Dessau

London

Evening Standard critic. Author of Beyond A Joke about the dark side of stand-up. Editor of #comedy website https://t.co/6l6J05UX78

Articles

John Shuttleworth at Bloomsbury Theatre review: gloriously enjoyable

1 week ago | standard.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

Graham Fellows created the character of Sheffield's never-ageing songsmith John Shuttleworth when he was in his twenties. Four decades on he has caught him up and they are now both in their sixties. Shuttleworth might even be younger than Fellows. But judging by last night's epic gig he still has plenty of mileage in him. The current tour, marking forty years of the versatile spoof singer/songwriter, is entitled Raise The Oof! He has always excelled at superb titles.
New Comedy Show For Jimmy Carr

1 week ago | beyondthejoke.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

Comedy Central UK has announced a new comedy entertainment show, Jimmy Carr’s Am I The A**hole?. The eight-part series, devised and produced by Tuesday’s Child for Comedy Central UK, will see top comedian Jimmy Carr as the host. Am I the A**hole? is one of Reddit’s favourite subreddits, with 24 million people worldwide in the online community. Since 2013, r/amitheasshole has been the go-to place for people seeking judgment from strangers and asking each other to settle recent conflicts.
Sue Perkins to Host Have I Got News For You

1 week ago | beyondthejoke.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

By Bruce Dessau on Sue Perkins has been confirmed as the host of episode of Have I Got News For You on Friday 2nd May. The episode will be available from 9pm on BBC One & BBC iPlayer. Joining Ian Hislop & Paul Merton on the panels will be American comedian Michelle Wolf, who makes her HIGNFY debut, as well as political sketch writer Tom Peck, who makes his second appearance on the programme.
Steve Coogan Says there Will Always Be More Alan Partridge

1 week ago | beyondthejoke.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

Steve Coogan has reassured fans that there will be plenty more Alan Partridge from him in the future. Unless he "drops dead". The star of the new film The Penguin Lessons was talking to Dev Griffin on theHeart Evening Show.when the subject of his long running character came up. Griffin said: "“We have a question that we ask all our guests, Steve. It’s called, ‘Please stop asking me.’ We’re not saying these are good or bad questions; it’s just a question that you feel comes up quite a lot.
Cast Confirmed For New Fawlty Towers Run

1 week ago | beyondthejoke.co.uk | Bruce Dessau |John Cleese |Connie Booth

By Bruce Dessau on Casting has been announced today for the West End return of John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play. “The funniest show in town” (Daily Express) is back at the Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue this summer for a strictly limited three-month season from 24 June – 13 September. Tickets are on sale now from FawltyTowersWestEnd.com.
Phone-Free Gigs Across Scotland to Raise Money for Campaign Against Living Miserably

1 week ago | beyondthejoke.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

A series of intimate gigs across Scotland will be raising money for suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), in the lead up to Mental Health Awareness Week (12th -18th May 2025), with performances from Tom Walker, Nina Nesbitt, Declan McKenna, Bradley Simpson, Nathan Evans & Saint PHNX and Caity Baser.
The WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards Final at Bloomsbury Theatre review: hit all the right notes

1 week ago | standard.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

Culture | ComedyIt was a pity only one winner could be crowned: this strong line-up boasted so many potential victorsKanwar Crosse and Sam Hall Ed MooreBruce Dessau1 minute agoI've judged a lot of comedy competitions over the years but I've never judged one like this. This is the first time I can recall sitting in the stalls hoping that some bad acts would come on to make my job easier after seeing so many potential victors. It was a pity only one winner could be crowned.
Judges Announced for Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 And Submissions Open

1 week ago | beyondthejoke.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 (CWIP), the UK and Ireland’s first prize to shine a light on witty women writers, today announces a stellar line-up of judges as submissions open for the award’s fifth cycle (entries open Monday 14th April). Created by actress, author, and stand-up comedian Helen Lederer, CWIP was launched in 2019 in response to the lack of support and exposure for female comedy writing and as a way of discovering new talent.
Bridget Christie Joins Cast Of Comedy Things You Should Have Done

1 week ago | beyondthejoke.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

Filming has officially begun on the new series of RTS Award-Winning BBC Comedy, Things You Should Have Done. Written by and starring BAFTA nominated Lucia Keskin, the series is a Roughcut Television production for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. The series, filmed in Ramsgate, will welcome back self-confessed ‘stay at home daughter’ Chi (Lucia Keskin) as she is once again forced to contend with life and death.
Musical Comedy Awards Final 2025 - Results

1 week ago | beyondthejoke.co.uk | Bruce Dessau

By Bruce Dessau on The final has taken place of this year's wegottickets Musical Comedy Awards. The final took place at the Bloomsbury Theatre with Nick Horseman compering. There was also a set from Best Newcomer Roops! and a headline set from Jazz Emu. And the results on an extremely close-fought night featuring 12 acts are as follows. In joint third place – Sarah Gaul and Paras PatelIn second place – Jack McMinnAnd in first place and also winners of Audience Favourites – Shots at the Dragon.