Prevenge - review

Prevenge was screened in the 'laughs' comedy strand of the London Film Festival, but the humour in Alice Lowe's directorial debut most definitely of the jet-black tone. Its tone is bleak and unnerving, with only the occasional dry comic moment offering relief from the brutal actions of its serial-killing anti-heroine, Ruth.

Greg Davies's amiable sitcom reaches the penultimate episode of its third season. The sound of the Star-Spangled Banner fades into the background as Dan's discovery of his adoption certificate sinks in and his mind wanders to the life he could have led. A good time to escape from the squalor of his adoptive family and take to the beach with Jo (Roisin Conaty) - a trip that also appeals to Brian's children, at least when the only other option available is a dull day out with their fastidious father (Mike Wozniak).

Man Down catches up with sad sack teacher Dan (Greg Davies) as he finally comes to the realisation that maybe he's chosen the wrong profession. By the end of the first episode, which saw Dan try to break into the school to destroy his personal file, he'd handed in his resignation which suggested to me that the sitcom may be covering new ground. This can only be a good thing as I'd found Man Down had been stuck in a rut for a while now so seeing Dan trying to pursue alternate career opportunities will at least give Davies and co-writer Mike Wozniak something new to work with. Tony Robinson as Dan's mum's new beau Daddy, short for Deadalus, who has already made it known that he isn't a fan of the protagonist's attitude towards the older ladies in his life.

TV preview: Man Down, C4

Good to see Greg Davies back as helpless, hapless, hopeless giant man-child teacher Dan. There are some nice new treats in the supporting cast too, but they have to have pretty big personalities to stand a chance of competing with Davies. Luckily they are.

In a stand-out move, Joseph Morpurgo's short is shot as if from the video camera of a bored father being dragged along to his son's Nativity play, by his pushy mum (Cariad Lloyd). Though there are some strong performances, not least from Mike Wozniak, who can get a laugh from a pissed-off stare in the role of a fellow parent, the humour doesn't entirely do justice to the imaginative set-up.

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Mike Wozniak, Daniel Sloss and Fern Brady.

Review: Mike Wozniak

One Man Dead Cat Band may be going hell for leather, but the admirably-moustachioed man in the driver's seat has his passenger's best interests at heart.

The first in Sky Arts' Physical Comedy season, in which a host of stars both established and up-and-coming feature in a series of silent comedy shows. Among those set to appear are Johnny Vegas, Frank Skinner, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, as well as Jocelyn Jee Esien and Marek Larwood. Tonight's opener stars Kim Cattrall as Ruby, who lives in a huge ramshackle house along with a troupe of acrobats who perform dazzling physical feats. It was written by Mike Wozniak, who also co-stars.

Comedians on their stage clothes

Comics at the Edinburgh fringe reveal their sartorial secrets, from furry trousers to see-through numbers.