Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 38
Bill Bailey at Latitude 2021
How did Bill Bailey get to play the main Obelisk Arena at Latitude? "I'm a competition-winner," he jokes... that competition being a little thing called Strictly.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 25th July 2021Luisa Omielan at Latitude review
Given her mega-success with her breakthrough Beyoncé show, Luisa Omielan must have been tempted to call her new hour about women in religion What Would Mary Magdelene Do?
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th July 2021Simon Amstell at Latitude 2021 review
Previewing his autumn tour at Latitude, Simon Amstell returns to the big themes of shame, ego and how to be free of these toxic twins that have long defined his intelligent, introspective stand-up.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th July 2021Flo & Joan at Latitude 2021 review
Flo & Joan offer tight, old-fashioned melodies with delightful vocal performances - but the ear-pleasing sonics are matched with spiky lyrics that delight the brain more. A perfect combination for a festival that makes a prize of its erudition, like Latitude.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th July 2021Party's Over review
Setting politics aside, the personal turmoil of being forced to forge a new career after being stripped of the power you'd previously dedicated every waking hour to achieving and maintaining, is a strong premise for a sitcom. Even before you add in that your central character is dogged by failure at every turn.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 23rd July 2021Ealing Comedy Festival 2021 opening gala review
The joy of being back at a gig was palpable for punters and acts alike. The fact it was a glorious summer evening in an attractive park, the craft beer flowing freely, was a bonus.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 22nd July 2021Was Soho Theatre right to cancel Chris McGlade?
It's an impossible call, writes Steve Bennett.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 18th July 2021Taboo review
The critic may have a horse in this race. Not only to protect the transgressive force of comedy which she holds so dear, but she, too, has been threatened with 'cancellation' after she was accused of being a 'rape apologist' a few years ago for unsympathetic comments about date-rape of an apocryphal teenager who 'dolls herself up, covers herself in make-up, goes out [and] gets shit-faced'. But she and her contributors throw up many interesting questions about the nature of comedy, the flirtations with offence that can give comedy its bite, the need for taboos for that line to exist, the unfair burden of representation on the shoulders of some comedians, and so much more,.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 11th July 2021Please Help review
The BBC really ought to pounce on this imaginative, hilarious premise and sign Pearman up for a series immediately.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 7th July 2021Michael Palin's Memory Palaces review
Many of these tales might be familiar to fans, but it's good to hear them told, most engagingly, from the Python's mouth. So don't expect great insights into the working of Gilliam's eccentric mind, but an array of entertaining anecdotes that unfold with a little more space that they would get on the usual chat-show circuit.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 7th July 2021