Funny feeling: Idil Sukan's soulful snaps of standups

In her exhibition This Comedian, Idil Sukan captures comics in contemplative poses - plus there's Phil Nichol snogging a lion. Katherine Ryan, Bridget Christie, Stewart Lee and Steve Coogan all feature in the show, which runs from 20 February to 2 March at the Embassy Tea Gallery in Southwark, London. An accompanying live event, in which standups talk about baring their soul on stage, takes place at the Duchess theatre on 26 January. All photographs: Idil Sukan.

Comedy night in 1998 with Malcolm Hardee & Phil Nichol

I had no blog ready today. My eternally-un-named friend suggested I should post one about the origins of Shia and Sunni Islam. Instead of that, here is an old diary entry about a visit to Malcolm Hardee's Up The Creek comedy club in South East London - on Sunday 4th October 1998.

Review: Phil Nichol: The Weary Land, Gateshead

Phil Nichol takes a slightly different approach to tonight's headline show at Jesterval: he eschews the use of a microphone throughout.

This week's new live comedy

Reviews of Late Night Gimp Fight, Vikki Stone and Phil Nichol.

Phil Nichol interview

Interview with Phil Nichol, acclaimed actor, award winning comedian, producer, presenter, writer and musician.

Phil Nichol has got rants in his pants

The Sun interviews Phil Nichol about his new Fringe show.

Kendal Calling comedy line-up revealed...

Kendal Calling have announced the full comedy line-up for this year's festival, with Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Phil Nichol, Danny Pensive and Phil Ellis among those set to perform at Lowther Deer Park, Cumbria, in July.

Comic trio help bring comedy feature film to life

Show Me The Funny winner Patrick Monahan, Craig Campbell and Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Phil Nichol have all lent a hand in completing low budget film The Limelight, a story about depression, dead parents, a lost job and a relationship breakdown - all initiated by an aging comic's desire to be a success in the world of stand-up.

This comedy drama is an "accurate" retelling of the events surrounding the making of Monty Python's Life of Brian and the accusations against its blasphemy.

You know right from the start what you're letting yourself in for when Jesus comes onto the screen speaking Aramaic and then farts into a disciple's face. The main cast; Darren Boyd (as John Cleese), Charles Edwards (Michael Palin), Steve Punt (Eric Idle), Rufus Jones (Terry Jones), Tom Fisher (Graham Chapman) and Phil Nichol (Terry Gilliam) are great at portraying the original stars, or rather exaggerated versions of them. For example, Cleese is characterised as Basil Fawlty, Palin is the nicest man in the world and Idle is a "greedy bastard."

The programme was full of references to both Python and events relating to the modern day, and introduced by a rolling credit sequence akin to the way many episodes of Flying Circus had, which I personally found hilarious. There are other connections to the Python saga, too, like Palin's wife being played by Jones in drag (Rufus or Terry, take your pick).

Then there are the links to the actual film, such as the debate between bishops and devils which is akin to the People's Front of Judea talking about "what the Romans have ever done for us". Holy Flying Circus also refers to offensive comedy incidents in the present day, like Jerry Springer the Opera and just about anything to do with Frankie Boyle.

My favourite scene in the entire programme, however, was a cameo from Alexander McQueen as the BBC's Head of Rude Words. His wonderfully stiff performance as a typical Beeb executive reading out the rudest words he could think of was delightful. There was no racist, sexist or homophobic language - but there was a member of the Ku Klux Klan earlier on so you could argue that was covered as well.

I know many critics were dissatisfied by the fact it wasn't entirely factual. All I have to say to that is if you want something factual then watch a documentary.

Interview: Phil Nicol - 'This is where I'm meant to be' (Link expired)

Phil Nichol is a man doing what he loves for its own sake, not for fame, not for money and not for the opportunity to play to tens of thousands of people in a stadium.