The Double Act
A History of British Comedy Duos
Nonfiction, Entertainment, Theatre, Comedy, Humour & Comedy, Biography & Memoir, Entertainment & Performing Arts
| Author: | Andrew Roberts | ISBN: | 9780750990295 |
| Publisher: | The History Press | Publication: | November 1, 2018 |
| Imprint: | The History Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | Andrew Roberts |
| ISBN: | 9780750990295 |
| Publisher: | The History Press |
| Publication: | November 1, 2018 |
| Imprint: | The History Press |
| Language: | English |
The double act has been at the heart of British entertainment for over 150 years, yet there has never been a book detailing how this form of comedy continues to develop. From music hall turns such as Flanagan & Allen, to variety acts who managed to make the transformation to television such as Morecambe & Wise, to more recent performers—Armstrong & Miller, Mitchell & Webb—this book explores the dynamics of this form of entertainment. It encompasses the often neglected field of female double-acts, such as Victoria Wood & Julie Walters and French & Saunders, and the acts associated with alternative comedy and the Edinburgh Fringe, from Rik Mayall & Ade Edmondson to Stewart Lee & Richard Herring. There are also chapters on the double-acts created by TV sitcoms—e.g. Tony Hancock & Sidney James, Terry & June, George & Mildred—and on the subtle art of the straight man.
The double act has been at the heart of British entertainment for over 150 years, yet there has never been a book detailing how this form of comedy continues to develop. From music hall turns such as Flanagan & Allen, to variety acts who managed to make the transformation to television such as Morecambe & Wise, to more recent performers—Armstrong & Miller, Mitchell & Webb—this book explores the dynamics of this form of entertainment. It encompasses the often neglected field of female double-acts, such as Victoria Wood & Julie Walters and French & Saunders, and the acts associated with alternative comedy and the Edinburgh Fringe, from Rik Mayall & Ade Edmondson to Stewart Lee & Richard Herring. There are also chapters on the double-acts created by TV sitcoms—e.g. Tony Hancock & Sidney James, Terry & June, George & Mildred—and on the subtle art of the straight man.
