OLIVER DOUBLE is a senior lecturer in Drama at the University of Kent, UK. Once a stand-up comedian himself, his teaching in this area is highly acclaimed and has received national media attention. He is the author of Getting the Joke: The Inner Workings of Stand-Up Comedy (Methuen, 2005) and Stand Up! On Being a Comedian (Methuen, 1997). Find out more about the author here: www.oliverdouble.com and view a celebration of variety theatre on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRUKjWZ47SI
'An interesting, well written and colourful history of the variety form, which will appeal to students, researchers and general readers. It is chockfull of material which is well organised and referenced - the content is terrific.' - Jason Price, Lecturer in Drama and Performance Studies, University of Sussex, UK