Issue 1345

What happens in Vegas
Just short of his fiftieth birthday, Michael Pennington is contemplating a return to stand-up comedy after 10 years. But even he doesn’t know whether he’ll be in charge of proceedings or if it’ll be his unpredictable alter ego Johnny Vegas who takes over, says Gerry Corner.

A room of their own
The government’s Everyone In scheme has been a success, providing stable accommodation for most of the country’s rough sleepers. But it is only temporary. Saskia Murphy assesses the next steps for those working to ensure that people don’t return to the streets.

Parts to play
The pandemic hasn’t stopped Monica Dolan from acting in some great TV, including a remake of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads. But Christian Lisseman finds it has brought personal grief for the Middlesbrough actor.

Plus
News, arts and entertainment, columnist Saskia Murphy has a novel use for the Trafford Centre, Martin Kemp’s letter to his younger self, crossword, Sudoku and more.