Afternoon:
14°c
NEW: Taxpayers have been handed a £143,000 bill for protecting BNP leader Nick Griffin during his appearance on Question Time, it has emerged
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Edinburgh Comedy John Bishop called his show Elvis Has Left The Building because this year the Liverpudlian realised that he was the same age the Jailhouse Rocker was when he died. In the words of the King, it was now or never. As Bishop has just received an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination it is clearly now.
There is nothing sophisticated here, Bishop is simply a gloriously gifted storyteller, following the trend for northern yarn-spinners from Peter Kay to Jason Manford. You could probably lob a pebble into a Bootle bar and hit a dozen Mersey motormouths like him — but not as good.
Behind the title this is a sharp, gag-packed reflection on the menopausal male, all fighting flab and fixing cars. Highlights include a classic routine about sartorial dilemmas: can fortysomethings wear white trainers? And reinforcing the Liverpool sentimentality myth Bishop drools hilariously over his Anfield heroes.
Can he beat super-slick sketch combo Idiots of Ants and four other comedians to first prize on Saturday? Maybe, but success is guaranteed anyway.
Elvis has left the building, Bishop has clearly arrived.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
