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Medieval era
- British comedy didn’t just pop up out of nowhere: in fact, British humour can be traced back to the medieval era, where jesters and minstrels would perform in the street (and at dedicated street shows) for money.
comedycarnival.co.uk/history-of-british-comedy/
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British comedy history is measured in centuries. Shakespeare incorporated many chase scenes and beatings into his comedies, such as in his play The Comedy of Errors. Punch and Judy made their first recorded appearance in Britain in 1662, when Samuel Pepys noted a "pretty" puppet play being performed in Covent Garden, London. [1]
- Elizabethan and Jacobean Comedy
- Commedia Dell’Arte
- Punch & Judy
- Music Hall
- Pantomime
- 80s New Wave and Stand-Up
Ben Johnson wrote both tragedies and comedies often filling his plays with racy political passages. Unlike Shakespeare, Johnson specialised in city-based comedies and is best known for popularising the comedy of humours. Volponeis one of Johnson’s most well-known plays, a comedy taking an intensely sceptical view of human nature. The premise of the...
Commedia dell’arte was a whimsical theatrical art form that emerged in northern Italy in the 15th century and gained popularity throughout Europe in the 16th century. Its form was distinguished by its cast of larger-than-life stock characters, played by professional actors who travelled in troupes and often played on temporary stages and city stree...
‘That’s the way to do it!’is the still recognised catchphrase of the famous anarchic character from a traditional puppet show that dates back to 1827 and has been performed for over 300 years. The archetypical and controversial British figure Punch, with his long-suffering wife Judy, has origins in the 16th century Italian puppet, Pulcinella, a sto...
The origins of Music Hall began in 18th century coffee houses, saloon bars and taverns across England and Europe. Performers would entertain customers while they were enjoying a beverage or meal. Some of the venues began to dedicate more time to these often-bawdy entertainments featuring working-class artists and even arranging rooms specifically f...
The unique, theatrical entertainment and art form has its roots in commedia dell’arte, where its presentation of mischievous characters and slapstick comedy can be traced back to the 16th century. John Rich, a dancer, acrobat and mime artist in the 1720s, is a key figure in the emergence of pantomime. Rich, who managed a theatre in London’s Lincoln...
In November 1982, Britain saw the brand-new ‘Channel Four’ channel launching and debuting a comedy show, Comic Strip Presentsfeaturing acting talents Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer and Ade Edmonson. The anarchic series, often parodying establishment figures, reflected a radical change in comedy in the country inspired by s...
Nov 24, 2023 · As we moved into the 18th and 19th centuries, comedy became a staple in British theatre, with iconic playwrights like Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw bringing a sharp wit to the stage with plays like “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “Pygmalion.”.
This is a list of comedians of British birth or famous mainly in Britain. Many of the comedy panel-game regulars and sitcom actors may not be regarded as comedians by some people but they are included here because this page uses the word "comedian" in its broadest possible sense.
From Shakespeare’s comedies to Billy Connolly’s command of an audience, Gavin & Stacey’s taste of Welsh whimsy to Derry Girls’ earthy look at life in the 1990s, humour has been central to the...
The BBC has a long and proud history of radio and television comedy, many of which broke new ground - and rattled politicians.
Jul 19, 2023 · So where did it all begin? Harry Corbett was the nephew of famous fish and chip mogul Harry Ramsden, for whom he played piano in his restaurants. Music was his chosen career path, though sadly deafness in one ear precluded him from pursuing it professionally.
