The Secret Reviewer #58: Character Traits

Every month our clandestine critic reveals the murky truths behind that infamous trade, and live comedy generally. This month: Want to make a statement in 2024? Character comedy could be an answer.

Anyone who saw the documentary Caroline Aherne: Queen Of Comedy over Christmas will recall the rare bit of offscreen footage where Aherne - dressed as wolf-in-M&S-clothing chat matriarch Mrs Merton - nervously crosses herself as she prepares to introduce her next guest, Bernard Manning, the big, bigoted dinosaur. And it's an extraordinary interview, Merton just about staying in character to grill Manning about his racism, while he looks...

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