the Brit Comedy wave

2011

 
 

The abundance of British late night comedy television draws from a wealth of stand-up talent that has been gaining momentum since the early 1980s, marked by the opening of the first American-styled stand-up comedy club, the Comedy Store, in London’s West End.


I have put together a selection of You Tube links, sampling a number of these performers (mostly of the “observational” genre but not to overlook the unnerving ventriloquism of Nina Conti) currently working the circuit in the UK and often Australia as well. The rise of Brit comedy award shows alone would suggest that something of a “wave” is a-rippling across the pond. See what you think.


 

Marcus Brigstocke

A stand-up comedian and actor from London. Appeared in Love Actually as Mike, a radio DJ. 

“Live at the Apollo” is a comedy programme performed at the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in West London.
Sarah Millican

Born in South Shields, England (1975), Sarah Millican didn’t begin performing stand-up until aged 29 when she made her debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008, winning the if.comedy award for Best Newcomer.
Nina Conti

from Hampstead, London, performs as a ventriloquist with a bit of a post-modern flair. Daughter of Tim Conti, the actor.

this piece speaks for itself...