ATTITUDE

by Tony Allen, Oliver Double (Foreword by)

Book by Allen, Tony

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was assigned this book to read as the first of a module at university entitled “The History, Theory and Performance of Stand-Up Comedy”, and I have to say I had mixed feelings upon starting it. The introduction had me reeling at the tone Allen chooses to write in, but I very quickly realised that this was how he speaks, and once I was past the abrasive nature of his narrative voice I was pleasantly surprised. The book is what it says it is, and is easy to read without being patronising. He intersperses factual history with his own real life experiences in relatively short sections, and I found myself in genuine awe at his description of his clown persona. The only thing I found slightly odd was his hero-worship of Lenny Bruce, but to each his own. Chapter 4 dragged slightly, but apart from that this is a great book, gives one man’s insight into the development of stand-up comedy and further into alternative comedy. Well worth it.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gets really good when he gets into the theory of doing stand up comedy, later in the page count. I lent it to someone and I wish I had it back to cherry pick from the wisdom. One phrase about intention behind your stand up comedy practice stuck out to me and I quote it regularly :

(probably paraphrasing)

I refuse to be just an air-freshener in the shithouse of existence.

[Mark Speed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judge each by his own time, but even then this isn't that good. These guys were purporting to be rediscovering the art of comedy in the eighties. I'm not convinced that many of this generation would have got a look-in today. However, they did pioneer and create the circuits that we know today in the UK.

As for the subject. Yes, you do need an Attitude. It's called 'finding your voice'. It can take months or years. This guide might shave some time off that, or it might take you down the wrong path - I've seen that happen.

[Badinia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might have taken more from this book if I found Tony Allen funny...but I did like this quote:

The Entertainer gives the audience what it wants
The Artist gives the audience what it didn't know it wanted