Exhibition of rare portraits

Rare images of the pioneering comedians at the forefront of the alternative comedy boom of the 1980s are to go on display in London.

Photographer Trevor Rogers uncovered his cache of portraits when he moved studio a year ago.

In sealed boxes he discovered the images that will form the Alternative Comedy Legends: A Retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Comedy from March 11.

They include photographs of Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders, Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall (1958 – 2014), Ade Edmondson, Peter Richardson, Nigel Planer and Arnold Brown.

Rogers said: ‘Moving studio does have its benefits. I’ve moved a few times over the years, but for some reason, this time I decided to open up a few crates. I couldn’t believe it. I’d forgotten how much material I’d hidden away.  It didn’t seem right these British comedy giants should stay sealed up.

‘Martin Witts, the Museum of Comedy’s’s owner, enthused over the images and has been a great supporter of the show. I’m excited to think that a whole new comedy audience will get the chance to finally see these images for the very first time.’

All prints will be for sale, signed by Rogers. Some are signed by the comedians too.

The exhibition runs until September 30.

It follows on from an exhibition of contemporary stand-ups from photographer Idil Sukan. This Comedian is currently on at the Embassy Tea Gallery in Southwark until March 8.

Published: 23 Feb 2015