Comedy Store (Stand-Up)
Comedy (Stand-Up)
A stand-up comedian is someone that performs in comedy clubs, usually reciting a fast paced succession of amusing stories, short jokes and one-liners, typically called a monologue. Some stand-up comedians use props, music, or magic tricks in their acts.
Stand-up comedy is perhaps the easiest field of entertainment for new talent to enter, because many smaller venues hold "open mic" events where the inexperienced can perform comedy before a live audience. However, perhaps more than any other performer, the stand-up comedian is at the mercy of the audience, which is an integral element of the act. A truly adept stand-up comedian must nimbly play off the mood and tastes of any particular audience, and adjust his or her routine accordingly. The test of a master stand-up comedian is the ability to not only face down a "heckler," but win over and entertain the rest of the crowd with a retort. Many of the all-time greats are featured below.
Right: Steven Wright
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Margaret Cho: Beautiful (2009)
6.4/10
Starring: Margaret Cho
Learning to love her luscious self over the past forty years, comedian Margaret Cho realised that the eye of the beholder doesn't hold all the power w... Read more
Ricky Gervais - Live 4: Science (2010)
Director: Paul T Wheeler
Starring: Ricky Gervais
Never afraid to challenge comedy boundaries, Ricky Gervais is renowned for his acerbic observational humour and cutting delivery. Set on a stage desig... Read more
Umbilical Brothers: Speedmouse (2004)
8.7/10
Starring: David Collins, Shane Dundas
After hitting it off at a Sydney Drama School in 1988, David Collins and Shane Dundas paired up to become the high energy comic performance act, The U... Read more
Katt Williams Live: Let a Playa Play (2006)
7/10
Starring: Katt Williams
Katt Williams returns to his hometown of Cincinnati after having his LA lifestyle illusions shattered and delivers cutting, fresh stand-up on relation... Read more
Ben Elton Live: The Get a Grip Tour (2007)
7/10
Starring: Ben Elton
Ben Elton, the multi award winning writer, performer and comic is back on stage after ten years with his new un-cut live show and time has definitely... Read more
Eddie Izzard: Force Majeure Live (2013)
7.4/10
Director: Sarah Townsend
Starring: Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard returns to stage in 2013 with the biggest stand-up comedy world tour ever & his best Live performance yet, FORCE MAJEURE LIVE. Filmed du... Read more
Chris Rock: Never Scared (2004)
8.1/10
Starring: Chris Rock
Named the #1 Comic by Entertainment Weekly for 2004, Chris Rock stars in his fourth solo stand-up special for HBO, "Chris Rock: Never Scared". Featuri... Read more
An Audience with Peter Ustinov (1988)
8.4/10
Director: Alasdair Macmillan
Starring: Peter Ustinov
Although appearing in over 100 film and television productions, Peter Ustinov is best remembered for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot in 6 Agatha Chris... Read more
Henry Rollins: Uncut From Israel (2007)
7.5/10
Starring: Henry Rollins
Henry Rollins return to the Holy Land after a ten year absence. Along with footage of Rollins' spoken word material recorded during a two night stand... Read more
Carl Barron: Whatever Comes Next... (2009)
8/10
Starring: Carl Barron
Grab a cuppa and settle down for over an hour of Aussie's finest stand-up. Carl Barron presents another award-winning show that's chocka full of the h... Read more