Peter Cook. Copyright: BBC
Peter Cook

Peter Cook (I)

  • English
  • Actor and writer

Press clippings

What happens to comedy when British politics becomes a joke?

When audiences do want something sharp, they want it to confirm prejudices.

The Economist, 17th August 2023

My Comedy Hero: Andy Parsons on Peter Cook

Andy Parsons discusses his admiration for Peter Cook.

Andy Parsons, The List, 12th July 2023

Why, 60 years on, Spike Milligan's Bed Sitting Room is as relevant as ever

Spike Milligan's post-apocalyptic dark comedy The Bed Sitting Room has not been performed on stage for almost 40 years. Now, ahead of a rehearsed reading of the script that the former Goon wrote with John Antrobus, producer John Hewer recalls what drew him to the project...

John Hewer, Chortle, 13th June 2022

Comedy oddities: The Rise And Rise Of Michael Rimmer

Given that this is a film with a screenplay from Monty Python's John Cleese and Graham Chapman, along with Peter Cook and the director Kevin Billington, and that it stars Cook, Denholm Elliot and Harold Pinter, you would think this would be an enormously well known film even if it wasn't any good. As it happens it's not exactly a classic, and some of the humour is a little broad, but most of the time it is a pleasantly amusing satire and so it's surprising it has largely been forgotten about.

Alex Finch, Comedy To Watch, 8th December 2020

Comedy duos who secretly hated each other

In his 2017 memoir, Matt Lucas recalls "hurling obscenities" at co-star David Walliams during an Australian live tour. The odd blazing row notwithstanding, the pair's relationship has been rosy compared to the bitter feuds that consumed earlier double acts. Here we look back at some of history's most troubled comedy partnerships.

The Telegraph, 23rd April 2020

'Indecently funny in every way' - Peter Cook's legacy

His influence is everywhere - but is the great, groundbreaking comedian being forgotten? Twenty-five years after his death, we reassess his impact.

Ryan Gilbey, The Guardian, 9th January 2020

I saw Miller in Beyond the Fringe - I'm still dazzled

The Guardian's theatre critic was at the sketch group's first show in 1960. It was the beginning of a friendship ... and a satire boom that changed the world.

Michael Billington, The Guardian, 28th November 2019

BBC releases some historic comedy moments

The BBC is making hundreds of clips from its archive available to watch on a new website. Comics featured include Spike Milligan, Pete and Dud, Kenny Everett and Billy Connolly.

Chortle, 10th September 2019

For sale: Peter Cook's London house

The London home where Peter Cook lived for the last 20 years of his life has been put on the market for £5million.

Chortle, 11th June 2019

A life in focus: Peter Cook

John Bird writes about the giant of British comedy who inspired several generations.

John Bird, The Independent, 11th May 2019

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