Alternative comedy : 1979 and the reinvention of British stand-up / Oliver Double.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Double, Oliver, author.

Series:

Cultural histories of theatre and performance

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Stand-up comedy--Great Britain--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (240 pages) : illustrations.

Edition:

First edition.

Distribution:

London : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020

Place of Publication:

London : Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2020.

Summary:

"In the late 1970s, the alternative comedy scene exploded into life in Britain and completely changed the style, subject matter and politics of British stand-up. Contemporary critics talked about it as 'anti-matter comedy' that 'makes you laugh while actually rearranging large chunks of your brain'. This book draws on a wealth of archive material ? including unpublished recordings of early performances ? and new interviews with key figures such as Alexei Sayle, Andy de la Tour and Jim Barclay, to provide a detailed history of the early scene and an examination of the distinctive modes of performance style which developed. Beginning with its origins, the volume traces the influence of American stand-up, and in particular the significance of Mort Sahl and Lenny Bruce as the originators of a style of stand-up that influenced the British pioneers of alternative comedy. It shows how the opening of the Comedy Store in 1979 provided a catalyst for a new movement, which grew outward from there with the foundation of the group Alternative Cabaret and the opening of the Comic Strip. But it also looks at smaller venues and less celebrated acts that have not been as well remembered, including ranting poets and street performers. Finally, it looks at alternative comedy's legacy, showing how it was the starting point for the UK's thriving and varied live scene, which encompasses anything from small pub gigs to huge arena tours."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Acknowledgements

Introduction UK 1979

Part One

History of early alternative comedy

1. Prehistory : influences and origins

2. The beginnings of alternative comedy

3. The spread of the circuit

Part Two

Alternative comedy performance

4. 'Bits of me haven't been finished yet' : Reinventing stand-up from scratch

5. 'Anti-matter comedy' : Stylistic Innovation

6. 'Advanced social thinkers' ? Persona and Perspective

7. 'Comedy of direct confrontation' : Relating to audiences

8. 'I tell jokes which precipitate the downfall of capitalist society' ? Politics

Part Three

Legacy of alternative comedy

9. Alternative comedy now

Notes

References

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781350052833

1350052833

9781350052819

1350052817

OCLC:

1143634191