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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
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Fine and dandy: shaggy-haired Russell Brand and Noel Fielding perform their double act The Goth Detectives
Neither are really goths, neither are really detectives, but Russell Brand and Noel Fielding triumphed as their oddly-named occasional double act last night. It was clear from the rambling start that they were distinctly underrehearsed, but as co-hosts of this fundraiser for the Focus 12 drugs rehabilitation charity that helped ex-junkie Brand kick his addictions, they were sublimely shambolic.
The main planned element saw them solving the audience's problems, which made them more like skinny-trousered agony uncles than Satan-worshipping sleuths. The idea soon petered out, though there was much more entertainment to come, most of it involving silly strutting and sarcastic wisecracks at the expense of The Lion King and YouTube and greeted by screaming more redolent of Beatlemania than comedy gigs.
All the special guests were hits too. Never Mind The Buzzcocks host Simon Amstell's mirthful misanthropy struck a chord and James Corden and Mathew Horne from sitcom Gavin and Stacey workshopped some enthusiastically performed character-based routines - trendy teachers, happy clappy Christians, pretentious magicians - which were hardly radical, but boded well for their forthcoming BBC sketch show.
There had been talk of a Noel Gallagher cameo, yet his absence was hardly noticed as Fielding and Brand closed each half with more structured solo sets.
While Mighty Boosh lynchpin Fielding was solid, delivering his familiar fable about pursuing a unicorn to the ends of the earth only to discover that it was a horse with a Cornetto on its nose, Brand surpassed himself with his trademark blend of self-mockery and smutty braggadocio.
His best new material was inspired by his recent sojourn in America. Others might claim that they like the anonymity of working where they are not stars, Brand was frank enough to admit that he hated not being recognised.
This is a man who takes egocentricity to ludicrous extremes. Apparently the only thing he has ever Googled is his own name. There might have been controversy over here following his prank call to a crime hotline at a recent Northampton gig, but Brand's US career is rampant. He is due to host the MTV Awards and has various films in the pipeline.
His stand-up days may be numbered, which would be sad. It would give me great pleasure to announce that this preening dandy is wearing thin. Annoyingly he continues to be one of the most original, insightful comedians working today.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Whilst this was a review about the Goth Detectives, I still find it a little insulting that Goths, in general, seem to have been branded as Satan-worshippers.
Goth culture is a lifestyle choice, not a religion - a lifestyle that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their age, sex, disability, colour, sexual orientation and yes, religious background.
Sorry to have jumped onto this review, as it is meant to be about Noel & Russell, but felt that such a flippant remark should not go without comment - were it aimed towards ethnic minorities or the gay community, there would be uproar.
- Ross Hardy, Basildon, UK
I agree with Bruce Dessau's review, Noel and Russell were in top form - I went to see the Goth Detectives mainly because of Noel Fielding as I am a keen Mighty Boosh fan, but at the end of the night I have to admit I was astounded by Russell Brand's unique humour and quick wit.
Noel's solo material albeit brilliant was unfortunately not original work, as he had been performed it before in Australia and at the Teenage Cancer Trust (I had youtubed it all well in advance of the gig).
Cape-wearing Noel was disarmingly charming and vulnerable while Russell, thanks to his wardrobe malfunction (one of his chain belts came undone and Noel had to kneel down and tie it up again), was dangerously abrasive and highly addictive. A fantastic comedy double act. All the fans waiting outside stage door were pining for more, but they got snubbed as the artists escaped into the night by a side exit, in true Goth style.
- Paola Bassanese, London, UK
I don't worship Satan - unless I've been seriously misled. They tend to check on that at theological college, even in the Church of England.
- James Rattue, Anglican Priest And Member Of The London Goth Meetup Group, Surrey
