Showing titles in Performing Arts

Anyone who saw an episode of Saturday Night Live between 1999 and 2006 knows Rachel Dratch. She was hilarious! So what happened to her? After a misbegotten part as Jenna on the pilot of 30 Rock, Dratch was only getting offered roles as "Lesbians. Secretaries. Sometimes secretaries who are lesbians." Her career at a low point, Dratch suddenly had time for yoga, dog- sitting, learning Spanish - and dating. After all, what did a forty-something single woman living in New York have to lose?

Sue Perkins chairs Radio 4's longest-running panel game in which contestants are challenged to speak on a given topic for 60 seconds without hesitation, deviation or repetition.

With its brilliant blend of the silly, the serious and the satirical, The News Quiz has been a must-listen for comedy fans since it started 46 years ago. Recorded in front of an audience, these three series see Andy Zaltzman presiding over a motley crew of comedians and journalists as they trawl through the biggest (and smallest) news stories of 2023 to provide comedy, commentary, irony and irreverence.

Maria Bamford is a creative genius. But the process of creating is not something that “comes easily” or “is enjoyable” for her. So, over the years, she’s invented a number of helpful techniques for tricking, shaming, coercing herself into doing things. You Are (A Comedy) Special is 15-step comedic send up of a self help guide that examines Maria’s approach to stand-up in a hilarious fashion.

A brilliant recording from his 2019 stand up tour. Ed again sees his own world and the world around him through the prism of a razor sharp brain and a comic vision which is quite unique.

Just a Minute is the grandaddy of panel games, entertaining Radio 4 listeners since 1967 with wit, whimsy and wonderful wordplay. To mark the show's 55th anniversary in December 2022, here are five fantastic series from 2011, 2012 and 2013, all chaired by the legendary Nicholas Parsons. Among them is Series 62, which commemorated JAM's 45th birthday with an episode tackling the same subjects given out in the very first series, and featured two special editions from Mumbai.

Should old people be allowed in the supermarket on weekends? Why do people squeeze the toothpaste tube from the top? And why is it so hard to put sheets on a bed when you get home from work? These essential issues and many more are covered in the brilliant new audiobook from Northern funny man Jason Manford.

Recorded Live at Wembley, Michael McIntyre is back with his second arena tour which is sure to leave you in stitches!

The frank, funny, and astonishing story of Roy 'Chubby' Brown, one of the UK's most popular (and filthiest!) comedians.

This year, Penguin is proud to bring you comedy from what would have been the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Hosted by Scotland's very own Fern Brady, listeners can be transported to the virtual pubs, clubs and cellars of Edinburgh, where they will be treated to the finest audio comedy festival Covid-19 can necessitate. Featuring nearly eight hours of original material from some of the most exciting comedians working today, including Ivo Graham, Lou Sanders, Jordan Brookes, Sofie Hagen, Dane Baptiste and so many more, Edinburgh Unlocked is an unmissable audio comedy festival.

From one of Britain's most-loved national treasures, comes a much-needed Bible of straight-talking honesty and sharp observational humour: following an unprecedented time of collective global insanity, Freddie is ready to impart his effortless charm, wit and wisdom on a wild array of topics. From the significant: climate change - maybe it's our time to go? To the time-worn: what even is political correctness and has the world really gone mad? To the essential: just what do you get when you receive the coveted Toby Carvery Gold Card?

A Matter of Facts is a personal journey into the world of quizzes. At the start Shaun enters the World Quiz Grand Prix, pitching his knowledge against the nation's finest minds, including Eggheads and Chasers...he fails. Unperturbed, he sets out to improve his skills through memory training, practice and even hypnosis in an attempt to move himself up the rankings of the quizzing elite. His adventure sees him get his old quizzing 'band' back together to see if he can triumph in the leagues.

From his smash hit new show "Off on Tour We Go", Jason's new show is guaranteed to get you laughing, with hilarious tales ranging from shower mishaps and embarrassing stories to the phrases that people get wrong and dealing with nappies. Renowned for his hilarious observations and loveable, friendly delivery, Jason has been a firm favourite with comedy fans of all ages since his first solo stand-up show earned him huge critical acclaim. Jason Manford is now selling out huge arenas, including the Manchester MEN, where this show was filmed, and the London O2.

The doctor is back with a whole book of sessions from guests like Jon Hamm, Louie Anderson, Susie Essman, Gilbert Gottfried, David Mamet, Wanda Sykes, Marc Maron, Reggie Watts and a slew of others.

A man at odds with the universe, Anthony McGowan stumbles from one improbable fiasco to the next. On the mean streets of West Hampstead he reflects upon all that is at the heart of life itself - socks with holes, underwhelming packed lunches, broken washing machines, Kierkegaard, liver salts, British Library eccentricities, and disapproving ladies on trains. In this chronicle of one man’s daily failures and disappointments, McGowan can’t help but speak his mind - with cringe-worthy and hilarious results.

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Peace Work, written and read by Spike Milligan. "I had not informed my parents of my return. I wanted it to be a lovely surprise; it was for me - they were away...." The seventh and last volume of Spike Milligan's memoirs sees our hero returning from war and Italy...but to what? Aside from shooting large, inaccurate guns at Germans, all he has done for five long years is blow a trumpet....

Dara O'Briain is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV, as host of Mock the Week, The Apprentice: You’re Fired and Star Gazing Live. Not forgetting his most recent shows Dara O'Briain: School of Hard Sums for Dave and Dara O'Briain’s Science Club for BBC2. Catch one of the most charismatic, intelligent, talking and downright funny live performers working today.

It's anything but Grimm when the Tell 'Em Steve Dave crew gives their hilarious takes on some of the best and least known fairy tales. Join Bryan Johnson, Brian Quinn and Walt Flanagan with special guest Sunday Jeff as they create a magical world of fantasy and wonder, trolls, living plants, and sinful dwarves. It doesn't get any better than this...or funnier.

Often imitated but never bettered, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue is the only authentic antidote to panel games. This collection finds unflappable chairman Humphrey Lyttelton giving silly things to do to regular panelists Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden, as well as special guests Stephen Fry and Rob Brydon. Highlights include old favourites such as One Song to the Tune of Another, 84 Chicken Cross Road, Sound Charades, New Definitions and of course the brilliantly baffling, fiendishly funny Mornington Crescent.

Susan Calman has some very strong opinions, and in her radio debut she expresses them with her trademark wit and charm. In series 1, she examines the current hot political topic of equal marriage, looks at the issues surrounding the death penalty from the perspective gained whilst working on death row, considers how best to deal with depression and evaluates what it means to be Scottish. In series 2 she explains why she has never been interested in having children, explores society’s obsession with appearance, discusses intellectual snobbery and asks what it is that makes us human.