Season to mark revival of acclaimed book

The British Film Institute is to host a season dedicated to comedians, to mark the revival of an esteemed book about comedy.

Four events at the BFI on London’s Southbank will focus on wisecracking comics, women in comedy, storytellers and surrealists and double acts and gang shows.

The series marks the 40-year anniversary of the publication of John Fisher’s Funny Way To Be A Hero, regarded as one of the best books written on comedians.

A new edition is to be released on November 7, which has prompted the BFI season. Fisher, a former TV light entertainment producer, will introduce the first event on September 12, each of which features a raft of clips from across the decades.

The events are:

September 12: Cheeky Chappies, from Max Miller to Lee Mack, and including the likes of Tommy Trinder, pictured, Arthur Askey, Sean Lock, Peter Kay and Jimmy Carr

September 18: Funny Women including Beryl Reid, Hylda Baker, Suzette Tarri, Miranda Hart, Sarah Millican and Laura Solon.

September 27: The Storytellers and the Surrealists with Robb Wilton, Spike Milligan, Max Wall, Ken Dodd, Tommy Cooper Eddie Izzard, Harry Hill, Ross Noble and The Mighty Boosh.

October 3: Double-Acts and Gang Shows: Mike and Bernie Winters, Gert and Daisy, Morecambe and Wise, Cannon and Ball, Little and Large, French and Saunders, The Crazy Gang and The League of Gentlemen.

Click here to preorder Funny Way To Be A Hero from Waterstones.

Published: 21 Aug 2013