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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Jessica Hynes, whose routine contained a lewd joke about the discovery of an item belonging to her mother
What's in a name? Jessica Hynes was known as Jessica Stevenson when she found fame as the quirky co-star of C4 sitcom Spaced. She recently started using her married name professionally; so there was some aptness in her fronting this gig for youngsters' charity NCH, which is also planning to change nomenclature, in its case to Action for Children.
Whether this star-peppered event was the ideal place for Hynes to make her stand-up debut was another matter. As compere she was enthusiastic, if thin on gags. What material she had she delivered with considerable personality and bags of winning charm, even though most of her pre-planned patter consisted of a surprisingly lewd story involving the discovery of her mum's vibrator.
There were, however, plenty of other attractions. Probably too many. Extras co-star Stephen Merchant, who is appearing so regularly on the circuit that he must surely be plotting comedy world domination, was a soft-spoken formidable opener.
Standing six foot seven inches tall, he bemoaned the lack of heroic figures at his altitude: "Peter Crouch and the Big Friendly Giant".
Merchant was a tough act to follow, but after umpteen newcomers of varying quality a few had decent stabs. Michael Smiley - Spaced's acid house courier Tyres - made his stand-up comeback combining cheek and threat in equal measures, while Josie Long revealed her love of sneakily stealing promotional pencils.
And surprise cameo Simon Amstell confessed that his new short haircut had had "mixed reviews". Rather like this show.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
