Brian Logan
Brian Logan is comedy critic and arts writer for the Guardian. He is a former deputy theatre editor of Time Out London and former editor of the Guardian's Film Unlimited website. He is also a founder member and performer with Cartoon de Salvo theatre company
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Shappi Khorsandi review – comic's cheering vision of an inclusive EnglandThe Iranian-born comic, marking 40 years since her arrival in the UK, makes a compelling argument for the multifaceted nature of nationhood
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It's Burns Night: what is it that makes Scottish comedians so funny?As suppers are held for Robert Burns’ birthday, here’s a toast to the standups of Scotland whose attitudes and accents are perfectly suited to comedy
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Jack Whitehall review – maladroit manchild runs away from the truthThe foppish comedian is a terrific performer but his tightly scripted comedy doesn’t compensate for the dearth of anything real or insightful to say
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Jim Gaffigan review – confessions of a regular, middle-aged schlubThe US standup star covers his love of junk food and his fear of doctors in a self-mocking set that shows off his voice as a well-tuned comic instrument
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Capital panto: Ricky Whittington surveys modern London's malaisesA crack cast of millennial comics deliver social satire – amid the poo jokes and spoof songs – in an alt-panto created by Liam Williams and Daran Johnson
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Beyoncé to Black Mirror; the culture that defines 2016How better to make sense of this turbulent year than through the art and literature it has produced? Our critics choose the works that sum up the last 12 months
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An American original: comic Barry Crimmins is as radical as everFor more than 40 years, Barry Crimmins has honed his political skewering of the American dream to a fine art
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Brian Logan's top 10 comedy of 2016Mr Swallow camped it up as Houdini, Isy Suttie looked for Mr Right, while Brexit brought out the angry best in Bridget Christie and Stewart Lee. Our critic picks the year’s best comedy
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Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales review – RuPaul winner has plenty of pizzazz‘America’s Next Drag Superstar’ presents Unwrapped, a tinsel-fringed riot of inappropriate Santa gags, Miley Cyrus covers and jaundiced humour
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Zoe Lyons review – diverting riffs on outsider lifeThe comedian’s Little Misfit show takes aim at tribalism, social awkwardness and British reserve, though her potent wit should land more blows
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Stewart Lee review – Brexit, Trump and a history of bondagePolitical cataclysms jostle with gags about kinky sex and selfie culture in a characteristically twisty and frequently brilliant show from the ‘ex-TV comic’
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NextUp: can it become the Netflix for British standup comedy?NextUp will stream live comedy sets for a low subscription fee. Standups are excited, and will share 50% of the income – but will the new service attract a big enough audience to succeed?
Susan Calman review – Radio 4 favourite's sparky set is far from cosy