Showing titles in Performing Arts

Bernard Manning was born in 1930 of Russian Jewish and Irish descent. He served in the Second World War. At one stage, just after the war, he was stationed at Spandau Prison Berlin, where he guarded the likes of Rudolph Hess.

His show business career began in the 1950s as a singer, before gradually introducing comedy in to his act. He first came to a wider public in the 1970s in TV programmes such as The Comedians and The Wheel Tappers and Shunters Social Club.

Mark Steel’s award-winning comedy travel show is back, with extended episodes! Listen to two more series of Mark Steel’s award-winning show, in which he explores weird and wonderful towns around the UK and beyond. Mark writes and performs a tailor-made evening of stand-up for local residents...

Award winning comedian-author-adventurer, Tim FitzHigham and his nemesis Alex Horne embark on recreating bizarre and amusing bets from the 18th and 19th century in this engaging radio series. 'His unflappable pluck in the face of impossible (or at least ridiculous) odds seldom fails to amuse'...

For the last two years, Frank Skinner has managed to squeeze in a weekly column for The Times. Without fail, he sat down every week and wracked his brain to think of something to write 900 words about. This is the brilliant result.

God is a tough audience as far as audible response is concerned, but at least you don't have to explain the references. In this collection of prayers, much-loved comedian, broadcaster and radio host Frank Skinner has tried to retain the bare candour of the rehearsal-room improvisation - to show what faith feels like, from the inside - but infused it with all the production values required to make it a passable public entertainment. In it are his convictions, his questions, his fears, his doubts, his elations - all presented in an eavesdropper-friendly form.

Dara O Briain Talks Funny: Live in London is the culmination of Dara's massive 2008 sell out tour of the UK and Ireland. Recorded at the world famous Hammersmith Apollo before 3,300 fans, this is Dara at his best, mixing top drawer material with lightning fast improvisation to give his audience yet another hilarious night to remember.

What does Josh Widdicombe do now? Well, bring out his second live DVD, that's what. Josh's frustrations are still bubbling over, from his overflowing shower to his contactless card via a night train back from Edinburgh. Josh is at his irritated best in this brand-new show recorded live in front of a packed house at the legendary Hammersmith Apollo.

Spike Milligan's legendary war memoirs are a hilarious and subversive first-hand account of the Second World War, as well as a fascinating portrait of the formative years of this towering comic genius, most famous as writer and star of The Goon Show. They have sold over 4.5 million copies...

Lee Mack, Bafta award-winner and host of BBC One’s ‘They Think It’s All Over’, star of ITV’s ‘The Sketch Show’ and BAFTA Award winner, stars in this hilarious six-part comedy show as heard on BBC Radio 2. Participating in the manic mix of sketches and stand-up are special musical...

The Overdue Catch-Up welcomes you into the mind of one of the sharpest comedy talents the UK has to offer. With a career spanning nineteen years Kevin has the experience 'hit the nail on the head with his shrewd and hilarious outlook on the modern world.

***** THE ESSENTIAL NEW BOOK FOR FIRST-TIME DADS 'So funny you'll be glad you're having a baby!' - Josh Widdicombe 'Great advice - funny enough to read if it wasn't.' - Romesh Ranganathan Are you ready for fatherhood? DON'T PANIC - dad and comedian George Lewis is here with all the seriously...

Recorded live at The Lowry, the spectacular waterfront theatre in Salford Quays, Reginald D. Hunter. In the Midst of Crackers showcases his unique, unpredictable and bound-pushing stand-up, making it clear that he has firmly cemented himself as one of the UK comedy industry’s best. As frank, honest and cutting-edge as ever, Reginald D. Hunter tackles subjects only the bravest of comedians will touch, so prepare yourself for a feast of shockingly controversial, yet searingly honest and brilliantly intelligent stand-up.

The legend of comedy returns in 2014 with his biggest and funniest show yet. Monsters is the frightening funny audiobook from one of the biggest names in British comedy filmed during his ambitious 2014 tour. Lee's manic energy, uncanny observations, hilarious delivery, and side-splitting material have made his live performances a must-see for comedy fans worldwide and Monsters sees Lee back doing what he does best, proving once again why he is a record-breaking comic and one of the nation's best!

When Radio One chief Matthew Bannister popped into 'A Lite Bite' in Altrincham for his favourite gherkin roll, little did he expect to find the two northern chancers who would bring so much sophistication to his beloved station. For there in the corner, playing a DLT Give Us A Break trivia game...

Proving that yesterday's news is every bit as entertaining as today's, these 14 archive episodes of the long-running BBC Radio 4 panel show are chaired by Barry Took, Simon Hoggart and Sandi Toksvig. Spanning the years from 1979 to 2011, this latest selection of sharp and funny editions take in...

Stephen Merchant, the Emmy, BAFTA and Golden Globe award winning co-creator of The Office and Extras in his first ever live stand-up comedy tour and it has been well worth the wait. The Guardian says "his performance is priceless...he can do funny just by being there" and The Times states that "the man is hilarious".

Ostensibly a quickfire quiz, The Guessing Game is really a show that pushes facts aside in favour of flights of fancy and rewards the funniest, luckiest and most bizarre guesses. The premise is simple: host Clive Anderson fires off a series of difficult and implausible questions, and awards points to the panellists for their outlandish answers. Included here are all 12 episodes of the witty, whimsical and wildly speculative show.

Three further series of flagship comedy The Now Show presented by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis: with their characteristic wit and satirical flair, Hugh Dennis, Steve Punt and a plethora of special guests crack wise at all things news, using topical sketches, stand-up, songs and chat to bring a smile to your face.

Jasper Carrott is rightly regarded as one of the UKs finest ever comedians. His long career is testimony to his clever, brilliant and funny storytelling. In this superb recording he dazzles with anecdotes and hilarious stories for over two hours. His topics include holidays, Royalty, strippers, teenagers and the world's hottest curry! It’s a comedy masterclass.

Seen by over 400,000 people across the UK, Sunshine was recorded live at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on the last night of John Bishop's sell-out tour of the same name....