Showing titles in Performing Arts

Chip Chinery's memoir is a look in front of and behind the curtain at what actually happened his first year as a full-time professional stand-up comedian during the ‘80s comedy boom. Chip kept a journal and snapped pictures at every gig. Some of the comics were or would become household names. Most would remain unsung. Then there was his 17-year-old opening act who would reach the pinnacle of stand-up fame and fortune.

The tools improvisers use to create wonderful - and often hilarious - scenes on stage are easily transferred off the stage and into real life. These tools have changed my life completely, and I want to share that with you. In this audiobook, you’ll find some of our favorite improv exercises as well as real-life examples of how our students’ mind-sets and lives have grown and become ultimately fulfilling through practicing improvisation.

Mitch All Together is stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg’s second comedy album before his death in 2005. It is a recording of a performance at the Acme Comedy Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from May 2003.

Five-time Emmy award winner Dennis Miller takes on the current climate like no other can in Fake News, Real Jokes! From selfies and airline travel to Trump and journalists, he delivers his signature critical assessments in his low key style that has been deemed by The Hollywood Reporter as "the most cerebral, astute and clever standup ever”.

The cult classic is back with all new audio episodes. Our Audible Comedy series stars Jonathan Katz, H. Jon Benjamin, Laura Silverman and a killer cast of comedians on the couch playing themselves including Sarah Silverman, Ray Romano, Ted Danson, "Weird Al" Yankovic & more.

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of 'Rommel?' 'Gunner Who?', written and read by Spike Milligan. 'Keep talking, Milligan. I think I can get you out on mental grounds.' 'That's how I got in, sir.' 'Didn't we all?' The second volume of Spike Milligan's legendary recollections of life as a gunner in World War Two sees our hero into battle in North Africa - eventually.

Maria Bamford is back and subjectively better than ever! Weakness is her brand, so get ready to feel much better about yourself. This Lady Dynamite explodes onstage (after two naps with her husband Scott and two old, pillowy dogs). Let her be the poor example from which your greatness can be determined.

Rising to the Surface traces Lenny Henry's career through the '80s and '90s. The 16-year-old who won a talent competition now has to navigate his way through the seas of professional comedy, learning his craft through sheer graft and hard work. We follow Lenny through a period of great creativity—prize-winning TV programmes, summer seasons across Britain, the starring role in a Hollywood film, stand-up gigs in New York and a gala wedding to Dawn French. But with each rise, there is a fall, the most traumatic being the death of his mother.

Here's George Carlin's 11th comedy album, recorded at the Park Theater in Union City, New Jersey, for an HBO special.

There's a new chat in town as the hit programme comes live from the BBC Television Centre, and Alan ushers on a variety of guests including horsewoman of few words Sue Lewis, powerful hypnotist Tony le Mesmer, fashion designer Yvonne Boyd, and husband and wife thespians Tania Barker and Gary Barker. There's also a whole edition of the programme broadcast from sexy Paris, city of French people.

The hilarious comic lovechild of A Question of Sport and QI, Jest a Minute is a light-hearted, lively show that quizzes leading comedians on their knowledge of comedy. Host Rhod Gilbert accepts no backchat and gives short shrift to cheek as he recklessly awards points based on how quick, agile and witty he considers the panellists to be. In a series of fast-paced, chaotic rounds, they are tasked with answering quickfire questions on comedy history, sitcom titles, catchphrases and classic comedy films.

When The Flip Wilson Show debuted in 1970, Black faces were still rare on television, Black hosts nonexistent. So how did Clerow “Flip” Wilson go from Jersey City grade-school dropout to national celebrity, heralded on the cover of Time as “TV’s first black superstar”? Flip is a candid, entertaining biography of a consummate comedian who changed the face of American popular culture.

The Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin Radio Show was a comedy-variety program that aired on the NBC Radio Network from April 3, 1949, to July 14, 1953. The show was hosted by the popular comedy duo of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, and it featured a mix of music, comedy sketches, and celebrity guests.The show was known for its fast-paced and improvisational style of comedy. Lewis and Martin would often riff on each other and on current events, and they were not afraid to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable on radio at the time. The show also featured a regular cast of characters, ...

Lewis Black (the voice of “Anger” from Inside Out) serves as America's ranter-in-chief as he gives voice to fans’ real-life rants from the world of politics, fancy coffee, bad driving, religion, and soggy sandwiches.

This Scottish stand-up comedian and writer reached the finals of So You Think You're Funny at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe, where she was placed joint third, the finals of the Piccadilly Comedy Club new act competition in 2012, and the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year in 2013. She has also appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Seann Walsh’s Late Night Comedy Spectacular, and The Alternative Comedy Experience and has written for The Guardian.

Serving up razor-sharp caricatures and explosively satirical truth-bombs since January 2000, Dead Ringers is one of Radio 4’s most popular and critically acclaimed comedy shows. In these five series, first broadcast between 2015 and 2019, media mauling and celebrity savaging are once more the order of the day, as Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Debra Stephenson and Duncan Wisbey poke fun at the worlds of politics and entertainment.

“Get Back To The Fun” . . . Tom Kelly is a stand-up comedian who has worked with almost every celebrity imaginable. He’s a man of a certain age asking deep questions while also sharing unsolicited opinions about news and world events. He refuses to niche down. He’s on a quest to be real. But the reality is he’s also learned, it’s time to be silly, loosen up and get “Back To The Fun.”

Hattie Hayridge reads from her autobiography, Random Abstract Memory. Recognised internationally as Holly the Computer in the hit BBC TV comedy series Red Dwarf, stand-up comic Hattie Hayridge is no stranger to the bizarre side of life.

Comedian, actor and bestselling author Ellie Taylor welcomes us to her 'safe space', a place where anyone can air their views, gripes and dislikes without fear of persecution. Assisting her on her confessional journey are sidekick Robin Morgan and members of the audience, who share their own dark and disturbing beliefs at the beginning of each show. Having heard from them, Ellie goes on to get her own opinions off her chest. Through stand-up and sketches, she gives us her hot take on topics such as masculinity, the environment, parties, the news, the Internet and billionaires.

Nick returns to the Paramount Theater to drop his new Taste It hour special. Fans of Swardson get his fresh takes on booze, chicks, and diarrhea, along with new stories, new jokes, and a new T-shirt. Nick is back and it tastes good.