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
Peter Kay: Live at the Top of the Tower (2000)
8/10
Director: Marcus Mortimer
Starring: Peter Kay
Well-known northern comic, Peter Kay, returns to his roots for a one-off comedy gig in Blackpool. Following the huge success of his TV shows ('Phoeni... Read more
Alan Davies: Urban Trauma (2000)
7.3/10
Starring: Alan Davies
Join 'Jonathan Creek' star Alan Davies in his engaging stand-up show as he renounces Satan, tries to keep his terrorising cats under control and share... Read more
Eddie Izzard: Circle (2000)
7.9/10
Starring: Eddie Izzard
Live comedy with the master of sublime weirdness, recorded in New York, June 26, 2000. Eddie discusses such topics as the Crusades, mad European cows,... Read more
French and Saunders: Live (2000)
8.2/10
Director: Anon
Starring: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders
The class double act of French and Saunders are at their hilarious LIVE best in this offering. Dawn French says of their show "I am an all seeing, all... 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
Eddie Izzard: Dress To Kill (1998)
8.7/10
Director: Larry Jordan
Starring: Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard's unique ability in looping topics such as pop culture and human behaviour into bizarre chains of association has catapulted him into one... Read more
Victoria Wood - Live (1997)
7.6/10
Director: Geoff Posner
Starring: Victoria Wood
Over half a million people packed into over 200 venues throughout the U.K. during 1997 to see her best ever show. This tour included an unprecedented... Read more
Bottom Live 3: Hooligan's Island (1997)
7.8/10
Director: Ed Bye
Starring: Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall
Filmed during their sell-out 1997 tour, we find Richie (Rik Mayall) and Eddie (Adrian Edmondson) marooned on a desert island in the middle of the Paci... Read more
Billy Connolly: Two Night Stand (1997)
7.8/10
Director: Annabel Vine
Starring: Billy Connolly
Recorded during the big Yin's 1997 sellout UK tour. Read more
Eddie Izzard: Glorious (1997)
8.5/10
Director: Peter Richardson
Starring: Eddie Izzard
This rollercoaster of joyful, abstract humour for the open-minded was recorded live at the Hammersmith Apollo in October 1997. "Grand, explosive, smar... Read more