A tight 5: November 14

DOC BROWN it to take some time off comedy to revive his hip-hop career. The comedian, whose real name is Ben Bailey Smith, is releasing an album called Stemma in the new year, followed by a handful of live music gigs. Brown – who appeared in the David Brent movie and is hosting the BBC’s Film 2016 on November 30 –  said he was ‘going back to my roots’ with the album. He announced the news in typical style… with a rap:

TONY LAW has released a new DVD. The Force of Life Nice Awakensing has been put out by the independent Go Faster Stripe and contains two shows: one recorded at the label’s own festival last year and the other at the other at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival earlier this year. The comic will also release his current tour in the future, with that show being recorded at the Chapter arts Centre in Cardiff on November 24. Click here to buy the new DVD.

Tim Minchin'S Groundhog Day failed to win best musical at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, last night, losing out to fellow nominee Jesus Christ Superstar. Star Andy Karl was up for best actor, too, but lost out to Ralph Fiennes for The Master Builder and & Richard II.

SHEFFIELD based comedy troupe Seldom Differ has raised more than £14,000 through crowdfunding to shoot a 25-minute pilot show they plan to hawk around broadcasters. It will be set on a fictional, self-governing island off the coast of the UK with its own peculiar laws.

DINNERLADIES actress Shobna Gulati is to star in a new tour of Anita & Me, the stage show based on Meera Syal’s memoirs next year. It opens at the Wolverhampton Grand on February 14 and tour details are here. Further casting is yet to be announced.

Published: 14 Nov 2016