Alternative Comedy: 1979 and the Reinvention of British Stand-Up(Cultural Histories of Theatre and Performance)

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 This book draws on a wealth of archive material – including unpublished recordings of early performances – and new interviews with key figures such as Alexei Sayle, Andy de la Tour and Jim Barclay, to provide a detailed history of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.

Table of 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

About the Author :
Oliver Double is Reader in Drama at the University of Kent, UK. He is the author of Stand-Up! On Being a Comedian (Methuen, 1997), Getting the Joke: The Inner Workings of Stand-Up Comedy (Methuen, 2005; expanded 2nd edition Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2014) and Britain Had Talent: A History of Variety Theatre (2012), and co-editor with Adam Ainsworth and Louise Peacock of Popular Performance (Methuen Drama, 2017).

Review :
This fascinating, well-written and meticulously researched guide to Britain’s alternative comedy revolution is probably the most accurate single retrospective of that transformative time that exists … Double conveys the excitement of these times while telling the story as accurately and succinctly as any social historian can. This book comes highly recommended. The definitive account. … If you’ve got even a passing interest in the history of modern comedy Double’s book is a must. Thank God someone's written this book, before everyone who could remember what happened died, and thank God that someone was Oliver Double, the Charles Darwin of alternative comedy. Oliver Double’s enquiry is a worthy contribution to the evolving and expanding field of comedy studies. This fascinating investigation into alternative comedy uncovers both the roots and development of the alternative comedy scene, which dramatically revolutionized the comedy landscape. It is essential reading for anyone who is serious about comedy. A very thorough, well-structured and well-explained piece of research on alternative comedy in the UK. The book is certainly suited to scholars and students interested in the performing and sociological aspects of stand-up comedy.