The Double Act : A History of British Comedy Duos

Andrew Roberts
 9780750984324
0-7509-8432-5

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.

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& Allen, to variety acts who managed to make the transformation to television such as Morecambe & Wise, to more recent performersArmstrong & Miller, Mitchell & Webbthis 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 sitcomse.g. Tony Hancock & Sidney James, Terry & June, George & Mildredand on the subtle art of the straight man.