BCG Daily Wednesday 4th October 2017
News
Press clippings
Labour of Love review - light, political and nostalgic
Labour of Love is ideal West End fodder: light, political and nostalgic. It's not great comedy, but it's a good play and perfectly performed.
Tim Bano, The Stage, 4th October 2017Labour of Love: valid and valiant response
It possibly ranks as one of Tamsin Greig's finest hours, even if this isn't James Graham's - the script contains a handful of the most laboured gags you'll hear outside the perimeters of the party conferences, the sitcom-ish second scene urgently needs fixing and poor Rachael Stirling as Lyons's unsupportive wife is saddled with the sort of horsey, stuck-up stereotype even Class War would find lacking in nuance. Not a landmark theatrical victory, at the final count, but valid and valiant all the same.
Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph, 4th October 2017Labour of Love review
Above all, it's a play about love - of party, friends, country - and it's testament to Labour that despite an impressively long history of self-destruction, you can't for a second imagine a play like this being written about the other lot. Raise the scarlet standard high!
Andrzej Lukowski, Time Out, 4th October 2017Labour of Love, theatre review
Labour Party play makes West End a safe seat for James Graham.
Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard, 4th October 2017Review: Labour of Love
Sharp and funny political rom-com hits upon a winning combination.
Ann Treneman, The Times, 4th October 2017Labour of Love, review
Labour of Love provides rich comedy but also an insightful look at the dirty world of local politics seen through the eyes of a well-matched political duo who can appreciate each other's viewpoints while violently disagreeing with them at the same time.
Philip Fisher, British Theatre Guide, 4th October 2017Q&A: Matt Lucas
Matt Lucas talks Little Britain, Doctor Who, comedy heroes and his new autobiography Little Me: My Life from A-Z ahead of Ely Cathedral event.
Ben Jolley, Ely Standard, 4th October 2017Live review: Pizza Express Live
Reviews of Ivo Graham, Andrew Ryan, [pPhil Jerrod], Niamh Marron and Jamie Oliphant.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 4th October 2017Still Game snubbed after Scottish BAFTAs shake-up
A shake-up in this year's eligibility rules means comedy and drama series were judged against each other for the first time.
Still Game was not allowed to be entered into the entertainment category, although All Round To Mrs Brown's, a talk-show spin-off of the popular sitcom, is in the running for that honour.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 4th October 2017Red Dwarf: revisiting the fifth series
This week it's time to take some luck virus and avoid making Mr Flibble cross in Red Dwarf V.
Sophie Davies, Cult Box, 4th October 2017New Ruby Wax book for Penguin Life
Ruby Wax, author, comedian and mental health campaigner, is publishing a new book with Penguin Life, How to Be Human: The Manual.
Katherine Cowdrey, The Bookseller, 4th October 2017Greg Davies - You Magnificent Beast review
Long may the ridiculous journey continue.
Victoria Nangle, The Latest, 4th October 2017Ill Behaviour: Showtime importing BBC comedy-thriller
Showtime is importing the BBC comedy-thriller Ill Behaviour stateside, premiering the six-part series as early as next month.
Ray Flook, Bleeding Cool, 4th October 2017Taskmaster: series 5, episode 4 - review
This week the panel perform a task you'll either love or hate, we see Bob Mortimer snort white pepper, and realise that Alex Horne is sometimes unnoticeable.
Ian Wolf, On The Box, 4th October 2017Review: Freeman and Greig shine in Labour of Love
Intriguing new play tells the story of the modern Labour party through the prism of an MP and his agent.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 4th October 2017'Labour of Love': theater review
Sherlock star Martin Freeman plays a doomed Labour MP in James Graham's latest look at British political life, also starring Tamsin Greig.
Demetrios Matheou, Hollywood Reporter, 4th October 2017Principle vs power: Labour of Love review
James Graham's play cleverly explores the dilemma at the heart of the Labour party.
Ian Shuttleworth, The Financial Times, 4th October 2017Review - Labour of Love
As with This House (soon to tour the UK), James Graham is able to make the workings of politics and politicians both theatrically compelling and deeply human.
Mark Shenton, London Theatre, 4th October 2017Matt Lucas: Openly gay footballers will be superstars
Matt Lucas says the first openly gay footballers will be icons who'll get "every advertising contract". The Doctor Who and Little Britain star grew up an Arsenal fan and is now patron of the club's LGBT supporter's group, the Gay Gooners. He says that, while things are changing in the game, he doesn't expect a professional player to come out for at least five or ten years.
BBC, 4th October 2017The Ladykillers - Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, review
Forget Alec Guinness. Forget Tom Hanks. This is an ingenious stage version of William Rose's classic Ealing comedy, penned by Graham (Father Ted) Linehan and first seen in 2011.
Michael Grove, The Reviews Hub, 4th October 2017Craig Campbell interview
The majestic mountain moose in a tiger striped onesie brings his thrilling new show Easy Tiger out of the Fringe jungle and onto the world stage for his third solo tour.
Steve Wright, Bristol 24/7, 4th October 2017Who was that man in the window?
Harry Worth was a ground-breaking post-war British comedian, who introduced us to a new kind of comedy.
Simply, 4th October 2017Ricky Gervais interview
Ricky Gervais on cutting jokes, taking a knee and his new Netflix show about death.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 4th October 2017Videos
Podcasts
TV & radio
Mrs Sidhu Investigates
Murder With Masala, Episode 1 - Samosas, Secrets And Stately HomesMrs Sidhu leaves Slough for a posh wedding at Lapsley Hall where the bride appeals for her help in finding her missing maid of honour. Meanwhile her son Tez is angry when she employs a French sous chef.
The Slow Kapow
An unexpected event at school gives Ed special powers - like turning into a minotaur.
Go Jetters
Series 2, Episode 13 - Central Park, New YorkAs Xuli, Lars and Foz enjoy the view from the Statue of Liberty, they spot a blanket of smog covering the New York skyline.
Your Face Or Mine
Series 2, Episode 1This series of Your Face Or Mine kicks off with a celebrity special where Jimmy and Katherine are joined by Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon, who will be forced to judge all kinds of faces for the chance to win thousands of pounds for their chosen charity.
Bad Move
Series 1, Episode 3 - Shut UpNicky and Steve's dreams of peaceful country nights are shattered by Grizzo and his band rehearsing his latest album outdoors.
Taskmaster
Series 5, Episode 4 - Residue Around The HoofThe halfway point of the series approaches and the five task-hungry comics are being driven to ever more absurd lengths as they battle to lay their sticky fingers on Taskmaster Greg Davies's golden head. Mark Watson and Nish Kumar pop toast together and Sally Phillips spreads absinthe on it. And can anyone recognise Greg's loyal underling Alex Horne if he's wearing a hat?
Stella
Series 6, Episode 4Stella is desperately trying to convince Michael to move back home. That is until she finds out he's signed up to new dating website Ponty Partners.
Doc Martin
Series 8, Episode 3 - Farewell My LovelyMartin is left holding the baby when Louisa has to take Year Six pupils sailing.
Porters
Series 1, Episode 3The Hospital Trust is running a fast-track management scheme, which Simon sees as a way to become the type of man nurse Lucy will give a second glance to.
Back
Series 1, Episode 5With the fire insurance policy out of date, Andrew buys Cass's shares so he can renovate the pub.
Stand Up Central
Series 3, Episode 2Tonight Chris is joined by the slick Tez Ilyas and raconteur Joel Dommett.
The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾
Episode 8Harry McEntire reads a new serialisation of the first 'Secret Diary' of Adrian Mole.
Charlotte And Lillian
Series 1, Episode 3 - The MirrorCharlotte puts aside her ego to help Lillian clear out her garage. It is not long before she spots a vintage treasure, however, and her self-interest gets the better of her.