THE EYE ON...COMEDY

James Rampton
Saturday 23 November 1996 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Norwich Arts Centre (01603 660352) Wed and Thur; Exeter and Devon Arts Centre (01392 219741) 1, 2 Dec; Cambridge ADC Theatre (01223 360452) 3 Dec

See that comedian returning to his stand-up roots - that's you, that is. The wonderful, bickering History Professors were just part of perhaps the most successful live double act of the early 1990s: Newman and Baddiel.

After a very public split following a mammoth Wembley Arena gig a couple of years back, Rob Newman went off to spend more time with his novels.

David Baddiel, meanwhile, set about creating another highly popular partnership - this time with his real-life flat-mate, Frank Skinner, on BBC2's Fantasy Football League.

As that era also draws to a close - Skinner is moving out of the flat and the duo are no longer sharing the TV sofa or singing hit footy anthems together - Baddiel has not been idle. He has written a (not altogether well-received) novel, and has a screenplay in development with Disney.

Most surprisingly of all, he has decided to take his show back on the road. The pre-publicity comes with severe health warnings - "the emphasis will be strongly on experimentation," it reads - but the act should still be worth catching.

For all the vitriol he copped with Newman, Baddiel is still an accomplished stand-up in his own right, with a line in confessional material - his interest in pornography featured in previous shows. Expect more sophisticated, sardonic soul-baring.

EYE ON THE NEW

Not every comedian can claim to be big in Sweden, but Arj Barker can. The imaginative San Franciscan proves that not all Americans are born with an irony bypass.

Comedy Cafe, Newcastle tonight and the Hare and Hounds, Blean, Canterbury tomorrow

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in