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Tony Allen is the John The Baptist of modern comedy...Illuminating and irritating, exasperating yet exhilarating, this book is partial, opinionated and intensely personal and that's precisely what makes it so readable. - --The Guardian Guide
There's a helluva lot here to set the mind racing and get the creative juices flowing. - --Malcolm Hay, Time Out
There's a helluva lot here to set the mind racing and get the creative juices flowing. - --Malcolm Hay, Time Out
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Advocate Heckler, Anarchist Parasite and Mixed-Ability Shaman, Tony Allen calls his book the fruits of at least 25 years full-time work, play and mischief . .....I was watching Tony Blair recently on the telly addressing a conference. He walked on beaming and waving and then, while the crowd were still applauding, he 'apparently' recognised someone in the audience, pointed at them and made like he knew them and clearly hadn't seen them for some time. I first saw Clinton do it. I've got my own version of the same thing. It's a ploy. What comes across is 'Hey! Good to see you. Glad you could make it. How's the family? Nice one. Catch up with you laters.' What is really going on is the performer is demolishing the fourth wall and bonding with the room - 'I don't know you, I've never met you before and let's keep it that way. But hey, I'm an opportunist and you are my way of establishing a connection with this audience'. Politicians are learning the skills of the live performer. No big surprise there, until I saw news footage from Serbia and Vuk Drascovic was using the same technique. What next? The Indonesian Generals? 'Hey! Good to see you. How's the family? Do you want to see them again?'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Tony Allen is a bit of a legend - he's really good and everybody knows he's really good, but you never see him performing anywhere. This book, which is a personal meditation on the art of comedy, goes some way to expalining why. He tells of the how the TV show he was on was censored, he tells how alternative comedy has become a business. But he makes what might have been a boring rant entertaining (at one point he sneaks in the best shaggy dog story I've heard, dressed up as a piece of journalism). The potted history of comedy in one chapter makes the book worthwhile on its own.
The only problem was the printing - 10 point sans-serif light-grey type on white paper. I suppose this is supposed to be post modern, but it just makes the text very hard to read.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anybody interested in the history of comedy, especially the rise of what was called "Alternative Comedy", should know about Tony Allen. This book tell you in his own words.
The book is part history book, part exploration of comedy technique. For any current comedy performers, Tony Allen has some very useful ideas, especially about the distinction between a performer and an entertainer. His damning commments on the current state of the comedy club circuit are also very illuminating.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Fabuluous and funny book let down by poor printing - making it a strain, nay almost unreadable. Attitude is a book about straight-talking, honesty and directness with a dash of humour. T.A. bangs on about how stand-up also requires preparation, attention to detail and effort. Qualities sadly lacking in the production of this opus. Get the book reprinted properly, mate it doesn't do you justice. Next time point your finger at that publisher. Use better quality paper and don't skimp with the ink --- Ahhtitude, mister tightwad publisher .... make something of it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A personal history of alternative comedy
If you've ever sat with a beer, late at night after a gig deconstructing comedy you will see yourself in this book. It is part memoir, part diary, part treastie on comedy. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Sally Holloway, Author: Joke Writing (Serious Guide to)
Attitude: Wanna Make Something of It?
Definitely worth a read if you're starting out, there's a lot of reminders, do and don't, and other stuff mentioned in this book you wont find on a comedy course. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2009 by Philip Taylor
Just Give Me Some Truth Now
I first saw Tony Allen as a Master of Ceremonies at a Comedy Club in Soho in the late 70s. Audience participation was welcome and like my other friends, we were booed off stage... Read more
Published on 3 July 2003 by Felix Guthammer
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