Laughter in the dead of night: Behind the scenes on the UK stand-up circuit

The newest ebook by comic and photographer Steve Greatest glimpses the backstage world of stand-up comics as they put together to entertain audiences throughout the nation.

Comedians, due for launch quickly, options a number of the best-loved stand-ups on the circuit, together with Harry Hill, Stewart Lee, Jack Whitehall, Jo Model, Jimmy Carr and Jo Caulfield.

Greatest’s personal years within the enterprise have gained him the belief of his fellow comedians, permitting for unique entry into the dressing rooms of a number of the UK comedy scene’s prime performers.

Nonetheless, as all comedians and photographers know, it’s not nearly being in the precise place on the proper second. It’s additionally about timing.

The ebook uncovers a facet to comedians usually subsumed beneath their stand-up persona. As such, it provides audiences an perception into what might be a totally completely different particular person away from the highlight.

Who would have identified, for instance, that an A-list comedian like Jack Whitehall would nonetheless get nervous earlier than a present? In Greatest’s picture of the late Barry Cryer, he might be reflecting on a complete profession as he seems into his dressing room mirror. These are the moments Greatest captures in such riveting vogue.

“The actual fact is nobody takes images of comedians like Steve. Why? As a result of he is aware of us, as a result of he’s one in every of us,” says Harry Hill.

“Nobody captures the ambiance backstage like him as a result of nobody has the entry – to us he’s simply Steve, and he’s obtained his digital camera with him once more, we cease attempting to impress or be humorous – no imply feat for a comic book – and CLICK! he’s obtained us.”

Comic Zoe Lyons says: “It takes a comic to know a comic and Steve simply instinctively is aware of ‘get the shot’.

“The photographs seize the enjoyment, laughter and camaraderie of these off stage moments and what it’s to be a part of the gang of clowns. Equally he has obtained such a superb eye for getting these footage that appear to get the very essence of the comedian.”

It’s clear from Greatest’s work that he has nice love and respect for the comedy world.

Jo Caulfield says: “Being a performer himself provides Steve Greatest a singular entry to and understanding of comics. He is aware of the place to seek out us, lurking and laughing in corridors or getting ‘into the zone’ backstage. I really like his images as a result of they present the timeless fantastic thing about the theatre or comedy membership.”

Greatest’s ebook additionally comes at an essential time for comedians as they wrestle to get gigs again to capability as a result of impression of Covid-19.

As Stewart Lee famous in 2021: “Now reside artwork is a reminiscence there has by no means been a greater time to revisit Steve Greatest’s unflinching portraits of comedians at work, in areas that can someday quickly ring with laughter once more.”

Greatest’s new ebook follows on from different hefty tomes, together with 2014’s Comedy Snapshots, through which 450 comics are pictured together with their favorite one-liner jokes.

Comedians is obtainable for pre-sale orders right here.