Standup Comedian ★★★★ - August 2004 The Sunday Times - August 1st, 2004

With Stewart Lee’s show (Four stars, Underbelly, 8.40pm), the satirical edge cuts in a variety of directions. Although he starts with 9/11, a date he insists on calling November 9 — “Reclaim the date from American imperialism” — Lee slides effortlessly between attacks on America, Scotland, himself and even the idea of stand-up itself. His…

Stewart Lee – Smirnoff Underbelly ★★★ - August 2004 Radio Newt - By Prince Smarming - August 1st, 2004

Stewart Lee has a masterful way with words, a poised and confident stage presence, and the accomplished performance skills of someone who has worked and worked at it. He also knows all of the above which is what makes him such an irritating smarmy prick at times. I struggled with myself to put this out…

Standup Comedian - August 2004 The Observer - August 1st, 2004

Don’t take children to see Stewart Lee, however. Not because he’s too rude or too satirical, although he is, but because when he kicks off with a line about how 9/11 is actually 9 November, they will quite reasonably turn to you and ask why someone as good as Lee still thinks this is a…

Standup Comedian - August 2004 Chortle - By Steve Bennett - August 1st, 2004

Even on his 17th visit to the Fringe, the sublime Stewart Lee is one of the most intelligent, skilful and original comic voices on offer. But even so, he’s not quite as funny as a fart. That the expulsion of waste gas is the most hilarious thing imaginable is just one of the many theses…

Parody soon to be cult classic - May 2003 The Stage - By George Hall - May 8th, 2003

It has taken a long time, from its origins at Battersea Arts Centre via the Edinburgh Fringe, but composer/lyricist Richard Thomas and his collaborator Stewart Lee finally witness the official world premiere of their much touted show at the National Theatre. Lee himself directs a zingy staging that uses operatic devices to parody, satirise and…

Jerry Springer: The Opera - April 2003 The Guardian - By Michael Billington - April 30th, 2003

Reviewing an already acclaimed show is a bit like arriving sober at a party where everyone else is drunk. But everything one has heard about this show in its previous incarnations at Battersea and Edinburgh turns out to be true: it is lewd, rude and outrageous and yet manages to turn trash TV into something…