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I firmly believe that stand-up comedy can be the very highest form of entertainment: at its best, the combination of story-telling, improvisation and interaction beats film, live music and theatre hands down. There, I’ve said it. Sorry, LoveLast Friday, comic Jenny Collier experienced the problem that female comics face continually – her gig being cancelled because […]

I started using Foursquare recently, and it really pushes my buttons as regards what I can put into it. Specifically:  Location/Activity – ‘Hey! I’m on the sofa!’ Creativity – photos and/or amusing commentary.  Some thought and generosity – tips on what to try and what to avoid. Photo: Greg Segal These people are rather into

Who’s your favourite British comedy character? The humanity of my favourites is what fascinates me; their painfully ordinary lives, punctuated by petty victories that can be stolen away as easily as they happened. Characters such as Basil Fawlty and Harold Steptoe make efforts to rise above their limitations which can be pathetic and touching, but also

When speaking to a group, if they get one whiff of bullsh*t or pretence, you’re sunk. So just be yourself, and treat your audience as if they’re just like you. No-one to be scared of, but still deserving respect.DeliveryDon’t try to be an impressive ‘speaker’. Talk to the audience like you’re at your house chatting

For me, the best presentation is not the one with: the best Powerpoint or Prezi. amazing, expensive library images. an hour duration. brilliantly crafted words. It’s the one where: I like the presenter. Pretty shallow of me, perhaps, but here’s the thing: if I like you, I’ll listen to everything you say. If I don’t, it’s