The best theatre, dance and comedy tickets to book in 2024

The new year’s hottest shows include stage versions of Minority Report, Spirited Away and La Strada, performances by Keeley Hawes and Ian McKellen – plus laughs from Julia Masli, Rhod Gilbert and Ania Magliano• More from the 2024 culture preview Contin…

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Ben Elton: ‘Any time period would make a good Blackadder with the right jokes’

The comedian and author on his new musical about Twiggy, remembering Rik Mayall, and why he’d like to have a word with Julian FellowesWhile studying drama at the University Of Manchester, Ben Elton met Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson. They became part …

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Edinburgh fringe musicals: a bedside view of marriage, Covid diaries and Shamilton!

The festival’s musicals this year range from theatrical introspection to a rip-roaring improvisation inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hitThe world’s most popular musicals have often been on the least likely of themes. Who would have thought TS El…

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Cowboys, puppet witches and toilet humour: joyously queer Edinburgh fringe shows

Coming-out tales, ventriloquism, a musical set in a public loo and glamorous late-night cabaret are among the festival’s uplifting LGBTQ+ showsNo one ever pays attention when you’re handed a flyer at the fringe. It’s only when I take a proper look that…

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Larry Owens review – A Strange Loop star’s musical comedy showcase

Assembly Roxy, EdinburghThe US writer, comedian and actor’s cabaret show includes potent songs about sexuality, identity and police violenceTriple-threat doesn’t begin to describe the abilities of Larry Owens, a writer, singer, comedian, Broadway star …

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Chriskirkpatrickmas: A Boy Band Christmas Musical review – goofy comedy gets ’NSync

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThis fantastically silly show by writer-actors Valen Shore and Alison Zatta reflects on the adrenalised rise to fame for young pop starsOn the face of it, a musical about ’NSync from the point of view of Chris Kirkpatrick …

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Chriskirkpatrickmas: A Boy Band Christmas Musical review – goofy comedy gets ’NSync

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThis fantastically silly show by writer-actors Valen Shore and Alison Zatta reflects on the adrenalised rise to fame for young pop starsOn the face of it, a musical about ’NSync from the point of view of Chris Kirkpatrick …

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Encore! Surefire shows returning for the Edinburgh festival in 2023

In the run-up to the festival, our writers will choose new productions that have caught their eye – but here’s a selection of those we’ve already reviewedRichard Marsh has clearly seen Die Hard more times than he’s had Christmas dinners. He’s here in h…

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The best theatre, dance and comedy tickets to book for 2023

Danny Boyle’s Matrix-inspired spectacular opens in Manchester, Succession star Brian Cox returns to the stage and standups Maisie Adam, Guz Khan and Catherine Cohen are on tourMore from the 2023 culture preview Continue reading…

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‘The first time I did cocaine, I thought: That’s expensive’ – Keith Allen on his wild years

He blazed through the 90s, an explosive mix of hellraising laddishness and sheer comic talent. As the 68-year-old resurfaces in Rehab, a musical about a drug-addicted pop star, he hits the Groucho to relive his triumphs and ponder his regretsKeith Alle…

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