BCG Daily Thursday 14th July 2022

Sneakerhead review

It's well worth a watch, if you don't baulk at a few filthy jokes.

Tanya Reynolds says she's 'very sad' after being dropped from Sex Education

'I loved every minute of it,' British star said.

Breeders... Daisy Haggard's message for stressed parents

As a mum Daisy Haggard knows the difficulties of being a parent. Starring in comedy drama Breeders has given her a perspective on what it's like to have children; as well as scaring the life out of her.

Anna Clifford: comedy with a higher purpose

The stand-up and playwright tells Pavel Barter that her new, more confessional show was inspired by going on a retreat and taking hallucinogens.

First look pictures from the set of new comedy Dreamland

Lily Allen lit up a cigarette on Tuesday in first-look photographs from the set of her new comedy Dreamland in Margate.

The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud & ITV team up to bring workshops and animation to kids

Grimsby's Festival of the Sea returns for a second edition to a new location this summer, featuring the screening of a special episode produced by the award-winning animators of CITV's The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud working in conjunction with local school children.

Jess Robinson shares how comedy has helped her mental health

Do I think laughter is the best medicine? Nope.

Siblings share how comedy has helped their mental health

Probably one of the most soothing things for mental illness is escape.

Hannah Fairweather shares what playing golf has taught her about comedy

I played golf throughout my entire childhood and adolescence, and it was all I knew.

Jess Fostekew shares how comedy has helped her mental health

The first recorded use of the phrase 'laughter is the best medicine' was 1611, which makes sense because that's over 200 years before they discovered penicillin.

Esther Manito shares how comedy has helped her mental health

If any of my peers thought I was filled with anxiety, they have no idea how far I have come thanks to joke telling on stage.

I talk to Aurie Styla

"If I'm honest, I've been anti-Edinburgh for a long time. Everything about my rise as a comedian, especially in the UK, has not been atypical."

Funny At The Fringe - interview - Anthony DeVito: My Dad Isn't Danny DeVito

My Dad died when I was a baby. But I found out the truth about him at 18 years old.

How the devil are you, Yuriko Kotani?

I'm hoping that new jokes that I've written will work and get laughs.

Travel at the Fringe - Timing is key

I know it is hard (take it from me) to not fully book every day but do try and leave a few gaps free and there are a few reasons as to why I say this.

Fringe 2022: Twenty must-see acts - and one must-read book

Jenni Frazer's pick as the arts bonanza bounces back.

Hyacinth Bucket legend Patricia Routledge makes first public appearance in five years

Keeping Up Appearances' fan favourite actress Dame Patricia Routledge has made her first public appearance in five years.

She was honoured at a special service at London's Freemason Hall this week, where she collected an honorary doctorate award.

Rhod Gilbert being treated at cancer centre

The 53-year-old from Carmarthen said he is a patient at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff - a hospital he is a patron of and has fundraised for.

Fringe Society response to Live Comedy Association open letter

Their answers have not been widely reported so we have printed them in full below. It is a long read but it goes into further detail which may be of interest.

Robin Ince's Reality Tunnel review

It comes as a surprise to find it's taken 31 years of doing stand-up for Robin Ince to have his first comedy special on Radio 4.

Funny At The Fringe - interview - Choose Your Own

Every show is completely different. We have a protagonist that faces choices in their journey and they present those choices to the audience to decide. There are so many twists and turns but it's fun to resolve the story in less than an hour.

Edinburgh 2022: Christian Brighty Q&A

BWW catches up with Christian Brighty to chat about bringing Playboy to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh 2022: Starship Improvise Q&A

BWW catches up with Starship Improvise to chat about coming to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh 2022: Skank Q&A

BWW catches up with the team behind Skank to chat about bringing the show to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh 2022: Patrick Spicer Q&A

BWW catches up with Patrick Spicer to chat about bringing Who's This All Of A Sudden to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh 2022: Lucy Frederick Q&A

BWW catches up with Lucy Frederick to chat about bringing Lucy Frederick's Big Fat Wedding to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh 2022: Kylie Brakeman Q&A

BWW catches up with Kylie Brakeman to chat about bringing Linda Hollywood's Big Hollywood Night to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

2Northdown New Act Finalists in Edinburgh!

It can be overwhelming trying to pick which shows to see at The Edinburgh Fringe, so we've helped you out! Here's our recommendations for shows that are guaranteed to be hilarious, from ex-2Northdown New Act Competition Finalists!

Ben Miller interview

I use personal stories on topics ranging from milk to thermodynamics to my musculoskeletal condition as jumping off points for comedic and scientific exploration. I also have a PowerPoint going on in the background if you get sick of looking at my face.

Celya AB interview

The show is called Swimming and is about moving from Paris to Birmingham, trying to fit in with Britishness and learning to swim at the age of 25.

David Watson interview

Kill the Frippery takes a sharp comedic swipe at a life lived miles from the frontline, where the width of a man's trousers somehow seems more important than the Government, and personal grooming the top priority in the cancer ward.

Micky Overman interview

My show is about confidence and finding the courage to say the things you want to say.

Leo Reich interview

Once again I will be performing my perfect comedy to an undeserving public for a full calendar month.

James Crampton interview

Natural Disaster is a stand-up show all about living with dyspraxia, and how my life is, at it's core, one gigantic face plant.

Ted Hill interview

My show is a stand up show about every U.S. President, and how learning about them helped me recover from a mental breakdown.

Jeff Ahern interview

My show is an improvised political satire where the audience suggestions create the candidate and his positions.

Lil Saffron interview

Lil Saffron: Ragu to Riches is a narrative musical comedy about a rapping pasta chef chasing his dreams of culinary greatness.

Rajiv Karia interview

I decided to call it Gallivant cos my mum always used that word to describe me as a teenager because I was almost never at home.

Russell Arathoon interview

It's a hilarious hour of anecdotes, audience participation, and observations.

Sammy ShowTime interview

I wanted to make a show that told a slightly nonsensical story that had some sort of meaning or message in it.

The Lovely Boys interview

The Lovely Boys' show is an equal mix of chaotic northern clowning and a celebration of love and friendship.

Now Shame interview

Now: Shame is a double act sketch show about two medieval actors making their way to the fête in Eskdaleside cum-Ugglebarnby.

Shamilton interview

Did you see Hamilton and think..."This show is great, but would have been so much better if Lin-Manuel had written it about Paul Hollywood instead?" Well so did we.

Ed Gamble: From podcast star to Pointless host

The stand-up comedian and judge on Great British Menu has been named a co-host of the hit teatime TV quiz show.

Still Game's Gavin Mitchell gets back into character as Boaby

Gavin Mitchell, who played the ponytailed publican, was behind the bar at the newly-reopened Blackfriars pub in Merchant City.

Interview - Tom Ward: Anthem

Tom Ward returns with a brand-new construction of offbeat observations and top-notch whimsical detours.

Interview: Ali Brice - I Tried To Be Funny, But You Weren't Looking

Ali Brice is embracing life after almost losing it.

Interview: Suchandrika Chakrabarti - I Miss Amy Winehouse

I Miss Amy Winehouse is about the absurdity of grief, the strangeness of celebrity, the joy of sticky nights out in Noughties Camden - and what it means to truly miss someone.

Interview with Amie Enriquez, creator, writer, and performer

"One creates art that is meant to be seen, felt, and heard by others. There is great responsibility that comes with that!"

Interview with comedian Lily Phillips

Lily Phillips talks about the allure of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, her creative background and bringing, and philosophises of the use of philosophy.

Interview with comedian Luca Cupani

"The beauty of this is that for that period, in the microcosmos of the Fringe, it seems as if art really matters: performers and artists have a chance to be seen and to meet people from different countries and background, out of their comfort zone."

Interview with comedian and junior doctor Michael Akadiri

We speak to junior doctor and comedian Michael Akadiri about his move into stand-up, his debut hour at the Fringe, and how "as long as it's not hate, then go create!"

Comedy newbie Q&A: Hannah Pilkes

The subject of today's Q&A is Hannah Pilkes.