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
This Filthy World (2006)
7.8/10
Director: Jeff Garlin
Starring: John Waters
Cult director John Waters turns his hand to stand-up comedy as he takes us on an eye-popping journey through his illustrious film career. Filmed over... Read more
Tim Minchin: Ready For This? (2009)
8.3/10
Starring: Tim Minchin
Filmed in 2008, over two nights at the legendary Enmore Theatre in Sydney, this epic show is vintage Minchin - sharing his love of boobs and banging o... Read more
Tim Minchin: So Live (2007)
8.5/10
Starring: Tim Minchin
Filmed in June 2007 in the Sydney Opera House Studio, and featuring material from the shows that rocketed Tim Minchin onto the international stage. E... Read more
Tommy Cooper: Just Like That! - The Complete Series (1978)
7.4/10
Director: Stuart Hall
Starring: Tommy Cooper, Andrew Sachs, Sheila Bernette
'Tragic magic' rules in this six-part series from 1978, which saw Tommy Cooper at the height of his fame. Assisted by Andrew Sachs and dimunitive come... 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
Tony Robinson's Cunning Night Out (2007)
5.6/10
Starring: Tony Robinson
One of the UK's most beloved performers, Tony Robinson has forged a career from making history humorous. He first shot to fame as the peasant simpleto... Read more
Trevor Noah: African American (2013)
7.3/10
Director: Ryan Polito
Starring: Trevor Noah
Celebrated as the most popular comedian in South Africa, Trevor Noah takes the stage in "African American" to explore his often-bewildering journey of... Read more
Tripod: Live at Woodford (2009)
5.1/10
Meet three Australian legends of musical comedy: Scod (the guitarist), Gatesy (the singer) and Yon (the obligatory trumpet player). Together they form... Read more
Umbilical Brothers: Speedmouse (2004)
8.7/10
Starring: David Collins, Shane Dundas
After hitting it off at a Sydney Drama School in 1988, David Collins and Shane Dundas paired up to become the high energy comic performance act, The U... Read more
Victor Borge Around Australia (1980)
Starring: Victor Borge
Danish pianist, composer, songwriter, entertainer and actor, Victor Borge stars in a series of Channel 9 appearances for Don Lane, Clive Robertson, De... Read more