From SMACK THE PONY to stand-up: FIONA ALLEN’s “hectic” career renaissance
Fiona Allen tells Billy Edwards about her journey from TV to stand-up comedy in the midst of a "hectic" run of successful Fringe shows.
Comedy
Fancy a laugh? Tickle your funny bone with these stand-up gigs, interviews and festivals.
ALAN PARTRIDGE’s BIG BEACON: the broadcaster buys a lighthouse – what could go wrong?
Alan Partridge's third memoir, Big Beacon sees the embattled broadcaster trying to make a lighthouse home, culminating in a punchline you may guess...
“It’s not a parasocial relationship with audiences, it’s a social relationship” – meet the UK’s funniest agony aunt, MYRA DUBOIS
UK comedy mainstay Myra Dubois is back in Cardiff with self-help-themed show Be Well – with an agony aunt angle that shows how many strings are in the Yorkshire comic’s bow.
MY LADY PARTS: comedian DOON MACKICHAN’s rip-roaringly honest autobiography
From comedy to resilience, Doon Mackichan's uproarious autobiography, My Lady Parts, is a triumph of humor and honesty.
SARA PASCOE embraces imperfection in debut novel WEIRDO
Liberating in its honesty and refreshing in its outlook, Sara Pascoe's debut novel Weirdo reassures readers that perfection is an illusion.
Like having a cuppa with your uncle: RICHARD COLES delights with autobiographical show
Richard Coles took audiences on a hilarious journey through his life at Cardiff's Sherman Theatre in a one-man show filled with charm.
JORDAN GRAY: “I’m a comedian first, transgender second”
With her upcoming music and comedy tour Is It A Bird? touching down in Cardiff this month, comedian Jordan Gray discussed the ins and outs of her creative process.
2023 Wales comedy guide: laugh your way through autumn & winter with these top stand-ups
Discover the hottest comedy shows across Wales for autumn & winter 2023, from big names to emerging comedians, in our exhaustive guide.
MORTIFICATION: comedian MARK WATSON embraces life’s failures with humour & honesty
In Mortification, a blend of memoir and self-help comedian Mark Watson confronts failures, personal growth, and humorous life lessons.
From silent films to problematic faves, DIFFERENT TIMES unpacks a century of British comedy
Dig into the ambitious scope of Different Times, a critical review of Britain's comedy journey from the silent movie era to today's TV.
Comedian-turned-novelist ANDI OSHO opens up about blended families and tough love in hilarious new book, TOUGH CROWD
Eve Davies speaks to comedian-turned-novelist Andi Osho about her latest book, Tough Crowd, which delves into the world of blended families, challenging relationships, and stand-up comedy.
“It could’ve been made in a hotel room” – Jesse Armstrong on SUCCESSION’s ending, kid’s TV origins & inside his writers’ room
Succession and Peep Show creator Jesse Armstrong - who was in Cardiff for the BBC Comedy Festival days before the former's ending - offered a bounty of BTS secrets.
JOSIE LONG’s debut book explores parenthood, pandemic, and the art of communication
Join comedian Josie Long for her debut novel, Because I Don't Know What You Mean And What You Don't, as she skillfully navigates the intertwined themes of parenthood, pandemic, and the struggle for effective communication.
“This character has lived with me since I was 15” – NICK MOHAMMED on MR. SWALLOW’s first tour
Get to know Ted Lasso's Nick Mohammed and his hilarious character, Mr. Swallow ahead of his theatre tour, The Very Best And Worst Of Mr. Swallow.
Filthy and politically incorrect: The Vivienne hosts unforgettable night of shade at HATERS ROAST in Cardiff
Featuring a hilarious and often brutal lineup of drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race and hosted by The Vivienne, Haters Roast: The Shady Tour is a laugh riot with unforgettable performances from Lawrence Chaney and Jimbo, in particular.
Enter the TerrorTome: GARTH MARENGHI creator MATTHEW HOLNESS interviewed
When Matthew Holness wrote Garth Marenghi’s TerrorTome, he had no idea how massive the reception would be – and how many fans had been begging for Garth’s return, reports Hari Berrow
“I wouldn’t be doing standup if I hadn’t learned sign language” – RAY BRADSHAW on rugby, DEAF COM 1 tour & inclusive comedy
Oliver R. Moore-Howells receives both banter and insight from comedian Ray Bradshaw whose live sets are inspired by deaf parents.
“I remember phoning Sean Lock, shit-scared” – Cardiff comic ROBIN MORGAN comes full circle
Ahead of his upcoming UK tour, Carl Marsh quizzes Welsh standup, Glee Club resident promoter and Buzz interviewer of yore Robin Morgan.
Jaackmaate and co. bring HAPPY HOUR podcast live to ravenous Cardiff fans
At the New Theatre, the Happy Hour team’s Round Sheep Tour sold out ahead of doors - a night that demonstrated the ever-growing reach of the podcast industry.
SLAPSTICK 2023: back in Bristol and still the UK’s funniest film fest
Now in its 19th year, Bristol’s annual celebration of people pretending to get hurt for the sake of on-screen comedy is back, with appearences from Michael Palin and Harry Hill.
STEWART LEE: BASIC LEE – savage satire from the UK’s alternative national treasure
Basic Lee is not Stewart Lee at his absolute best – but in a sea of identikit stand-ups he remains peerless.
“Everyone has a queen they can relate to”: ELLA VADAY & KITTY SCOTT-CLAUS – a pair of Christmas Crackers
Chloë Edwards spoke to Ella Vaday and Kitty Scott-Claus about their upcoming Christmas tour, the changing landscape of British drag, and who caught their eye in Drag Race UK, Season 4.
DEATH DROP 2 – drag queen WILLAM on his return for sisterly murder mystery shequel
A year on from dragtastic murder mystery comedy farce Death Drop bringing the house down, it’s back for a hysterical sequel, Back In The Habit.
BEST OF WALES COMEDY GALA brings a bumper line-up at a bargain price to the Bay
A night of genuinely brilliant Welsh funnies proved good value for £22 - here's hoping The Best Of Wales Comedy Gala becomes an annual thing.