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It all started on 09/09/09. That memorable date, September 9 2009, marked the debut of theartsdesk.com.

It followed some hectic and intensive months when a disparate and eclectic team of arts and culture writers went ahead with an ambitious plan – to launch a dedicated internet site devoted to coverage of the UK arts scene.

Veronica Lee |

Dara Ó Briain’s  has described his previous show So… Where Were We? – in which he describes his search for his birth mother who gave him up for adoption when he was a baby – as his Philomena, while his latest, Re: Creation, is his version of Elf, in which a grown man travels across the world to find his birth father.

Veronica Lee
Nick Mohammed invented his Mr Swallow character – camp, lisping, with an inflated ego and the mistaken belief that he has creative talent – more than…
Veronica Lee
Zoe Lyons knows her audience; as a few shoutouts confirmed, many of them are long-time fans, and have had lives with similar highs and lows along the…
Veronica Lee
Greg Davies doesn’t spare himself in his new show, Full Fat Legend, his first tour in seven years after having been busy being mean to celebrities on…

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Veronica Lee
Search for his birth father takes a few turns
Veronica Lee
Nick Mohammed gives his creation's origin story
Veronica Lee
Warm and witty take on finding contentment
Veronica Lee
Taskmaster's first tour in seven years is a joy
Veronica Lee
Observations on what it is to be a bloke today
Veronica Lee
The personal and political collide
Veronica Lee
Utterly daft mix of new material and favourite old characters
Thomas H. Green
The ventriloquist-comedian's improvised hour-long outing is skilful and fabulously entertaining
Veronica Lee
Best show winner at the Edinburgh Fringe
Veronica Lee
Special recording available to download
Veronica Lee
Comic is as punchy as ever
Veronica Lee
Back to the day job telling gags
Veronica Lee
Europe's biggest comedy festival opens next month
Veronica Lee
Authentically good memories of the year
Veronica Lee
Comic discusses his recovery from a stroke
Veronica Lee
Set relies on established tropes
Veronica Lee
Texan's full-length debut is a personal story
Veronica Lee
Comic plays male and female roles simultaneously
Veronica Lee
Comic skilfully melds a personal story with sharp social commentary
Veronica Lee
Kiwi comic on dating, phone apps and Taylor Swift
Veronica Lee
Former chatshow host’s bizarre take on cancellation
Veronica Lee
Nothing edgy about this hour
Veronica Lee
Australian comic's autobiographical show

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