Morning:
14°c
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
Critic's choice: top five comedy shows
By Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard 23.08.07
Oh go on ... Ricky Gervais may even perform that Office dance
Look here too
A rare chance to catch Ricky Gervais in intimate surroundings, kids TV presenter Mickey Hutton, Hal Cruttenden and Dave Fulton all make Bruce Dessau's comedy picks this weekend.
Ricky Gervais
Bloomsbury Theatre, WC1
On Sunday night the star of The Office and Extras plays in front of 8,000 fans at Edinburgh Castle and in September he is at Hammersmith's Carling Apollo for a month, but Londoners have a chance to catch Gervais in relative intimate mode in this small theatre. Expect the usual self-mocking arrogance and possibly that dance if the audience demands it.
(020 7388 8822) Friday, 7.30pm.
Junior Simpson
Banana Cabaret, SW17
An excellent line-up at this enduring Balham club is topped by stalwart Junior Simpson, who is equally at home with well-observed topical material and winning comic voices. An added attraction is Addy Van Der Borgh, who excels at humorous characters and surreal one-liners. Plus Mary Bourke and Ben Norris.
(020 8673 8904) Friday & Saturday, 7.30pm.
Mickey Hutton
Comedy Store, SW1
Children's TV fans may remember Mickey Hutton as the excitable presenter of Hangar 17, but this Geordie has also been a classy stand-up for well over a decade and can break the ice at any comedy party. Also on the bill this weekend are oddball gagsmith Milton Jones, pocket-sized Irish dynamo Ian Coppinger and imposing ex-hairdresser Ricky Grover.
(0870 060 2340) Friday and Saturday 25 August, 8pm.
Hal Cruttenden
Headliners
This intelligent comedian made his name a few years ago with a combination of well-observed topical gags and a brilliantly accurate Tony Blair impression. We haven't seen his Gordon Brown yet, but it can only be a matter of time before Cruttenden nails the ex-Chancellor. Also appearing this weekend are veteran clown Pierre Hollins, Rhodri Rhys and Lee Canterbury.
(020 8566 4067) Friday & Saturday 25 August, 8.15pm.
Dave Fulton
Clapham Grand
A top-notch bill headed by the hairy UK-based American who fills his set with testosterone-packed tales of biking, boozing and brawling and also has a neat line in Bush-bashing satire. Plus David Hadingham, Aussie Pete Jonas and the slick character comedian Dominic Frisby.
(020 7736 1446) Saturday 25 August, 7pm.
