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Stand up Comedy

So you think you're funny but, do you really have what it takes to be a stand up comedian?

There are lots of stand up comedians who have hit the headlines, have their own programmes, dvds and sometimes slots on the radio.

Some of the greats started out at the bottom and worked their way to fame. Most worked in seaside pubs and clubs hoping to get a name for themselves. Jim Davidson, Roy Chubby Brown, Jethro, Lee Evans, Joe Pasquale and Billy Connelly are just a few British comedians who started this way.

Stand up comics entertain an audience, trying to keep it fast paced and flowing with laughter. They can be under a lot or little pressure to keep the laughs coming. Usually a show can last 2 to 3 hours with an interval halfway. Audience participation can be used where a member of the audience is invited, at their own risk, onto the stage.

Material is the key, the venues roof must raise with laughter for you to become successful. Watching comics, listening to jokes, writing your own material and research are some of the easiest ways to start.

Stand up comedy is considered to be one of the easiest ways into the business. Many start in small clubs that hold live venues with lots of new acts. There are several roles or skills that a stand up comic must obtain. Sometimes it is necessary to take on the role of writer, editor, promoter, producer and performer at the very beginning.

To become a great comic you must have the ability to face down a heckler, win over and entertain the rest of the crowd with a quick yet witty reply.