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
Paul Mooney: Know Your History (2006)
6.9/10
Starring: Paul Mooney
Controversial, insightful and down-right hilarious, Paul Mooney has been in the comedy business for years as a writer for Richard Pryor, creator of 'I... Read more
Andrew 'Dice' Clay: One Night with Dice (1987)
6.3/10
Director: Kevin Padden
Starring: Andrew Dice Clay
Andrew Dice Clay's controversial stand-up act has lead to a career of notoriety. There appear to be no depths to which Clay isn't prepared to sink, of... Read more
Dave Allen Live ...On Life (1998)
Starring: Dave Allen
With his trademark props - the stool and the whisky glass - Dave Allen proves the essentials of great comedy are simply a microphone, an audience and... Read more
Sean Hughes Live - The Right Side of Wrong (2007)
Starring: Sean Hughes
After ten years away from the stand-up circuit, Irish comedian Sean Hughes made a triumphant return with this live show. Winner of the Perrier Comedy... Read more
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
6.3/10
Director: Michael Rauch
Starring: Eric Bogosian
A screen adaptation of Eric Bogosian's one man show, 'Wake Up and Smell the Coffee.' Read more
The Very Best of Kenneth Williams (2008)
5.8/10
Starring: Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams, Jack Douglas
'Stop messin' about!' This hilarious programme compiles some of comic genius Kenneth Williams' most memorable moments from the classic 'Carry On' seri... Read more
Bill Bailey: Qualmpeddler (2013)
7.6/10
Starring: Bill Bailey
Rapturously received throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Bill recorded this terrific new show at his local, the Hammersmith Apollo. Furious... Read more
The Comic Genius of Billy T James (2008)
Starring: Billy T James
Featuring several well-loved skits from the 'Billy T. James Show', a performance from the 'Royal Variety Show', Maori Volcanics footage plus over 60 m... Read more
Billy T Live (1990)
Starring: Billy T James
On April 29, 1990 one of the greatest events of New Zealand entertainment took place in Auckland. This was no run of the mill stage show, it was Billy... Read more