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
Eddie Izzard: Definite Article (1996)
8.5/10
Director: Ed Bye
Starring: Eddie Izzard
This superb video was recorded in the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, when Eddie was in the middle of a sell-out 10 week run. "A genius of many talents a... Read more
Bill Bailey: Cosmic Jam (1995)
8.4/10
Starring: Bill Bailey
The long-awaited DVD release of Bill Bailey's 1995 stageshow that prompted the BBC to give him his own show 'Is It Bill Bailey?'. His well-known whim... Read more
Mike Reid Live (1995)
7.4/10
Starring: Mike Reid
Filmed at the London Palladium, Mike Reid displays all the comic genius that has made him one of Britain's best-loved adult comedians. "He's blue, rud... Read more
Hal Roach: It's Himself (1995)
6.1/10
Starring: Hal Roach
Hal Roach has been star of the world famous Jury's Irish Cabaret in Dublin for over tewnty six years and has brought laughter to millions from the fou... Read more
Bottom Live: The Big Number 2 Show (1995)
8.3/10
Starring: Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson
Filmed during the 1995 sell out nationwide tour which left over 500,000 fans standing on their seats and screaming for more. "The Big Number 2 Show" f... Read more
An Audience with Billy Connolly (1995)
8.3/10
Director: Alasdair Macmillan
Starring: Billy Connolly
Join the celebrity-filled audience and watch the unexpurgated and now legendary performance of Billy Connolly. Including all the bits they didn't show... Read more
Eddie Izzard: Unrepeatable (1994)
8.1/10
Director: John Gordillo
Starring: Eddie Izzard
Recorded at the Albery Theatre in March 1994, when Eddie Izzard was playing a limited seven week sold-out run of his celebrated stand-up show. "A comi... Read more
Rowan Atkinson: Live (1992)
8.4/10
Starring: Angus Deayton, Rowan Atkinson
The wry-witted comedian adored by fans of the 'Black Adder' and 'Mr Bean' series presents a rollicking concert compendium of his best-loved skits. Fil... Read more
Bill Hicks: Relentless (1991)
8.8/10
Starring: Bill Hicks
This programme was filmed over a season of Bill Hicks comedy at the Centaur Theatre during the annual 'Just For Laughs' Comedy Festival in Montreal, C... Read more
Tommy Cooper: Missing Pieces (1991)
7.4/10
Starring: Tommy Cooper
One of Britain's most inventive and well-loved comedians, Tommy Cooper, is back with a collection of oddball sketches, bungled magic and dead-pan one-... Read more