After years as the only Muslim woman on the comedy circuit, the standup is now making history with a female touring troupe. She relives the attacks she faced on the way, from ‘letterbox’ burqa taunts to Isis allegationsFor years, Muslim women have been…
Continue ReadingFrom Fern Brady to Hannah Gadsby, a host of comedians have discovered that they have autism. What is it about standup that lends itself so well to neurodivergent people?In 2020, Pierre Novellie was previewing an early version of his standup show …
Continue ReadingGrowing up, Rosy Carrick was fascinated by Schwarzenegger, Lundgren and other shredded 80s screen stars. Now she is exploring what they helped her realise about her sex lifeIs there a gap between our private desires and the ones we are brave enough to …
Continue ReadingLara Ricote is among the standups whose gags have landed with deaf and hearing people thanks to the work of stenographer Claire HillWhen Lara Ricote watches fellow comedians’ gigs, she likes to be near the stage. “I tend to sit in the front row – readi…
Continue ReadingShe started out doing panto tours of northern garden centres. But Arnstein is now emerging as a thrilling performer, turning the shocks of her life – sexual harassment, her mum’s cancer – into bracing solo showsKatie Arnstein greets you at her theatre …
Continue ReadingA mixed bill of standups, presented by the Nanette star and due to be recorded for the streamer, is a valuable response to its Dave Chappelle controversyWhen Dave Chappelle released his Netflix special The Closer, widely condemned for its transphobia, …
Continue ReadingThe comedian was booked in for a biopsy after noticing a neck abnormality. Standups are used to leaving audiences jolly but he could not share his diagnosis without causing worryI felt an actual breeze flutter, blowing my hair. The consultant had told …
Continue ReadingThe 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 …
Continue ReadingWhy did the Taxi and Saturday Night Live star travel across America paying women $1,000 to wrestle him? Could transcendental meditation have had anything to do with it?By the time he died in 1984 of lung cancer aged only 35, Andy Kaufman had wrestled m…
Continue ReadingEdinburgh fringe comics portraying cancelled standups and rightwing politicians talk about the dangers and successes of their satireThe US comedian Martin Urbano has always enjoyed mocking lazy standup jokes – the sort of routines that open with “Anyon…
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