Unit 1 Laughter is good for you 同步素材Comedy（牛津译林版 选修六）.docVIP

Comedy: the new rock and roll Nights out There are comedy clubs up and down the country which provide people with a fun night out. Not only do they have around two hours of comedy, most clubs go on to provide a DJ in case you fancy a dance, and are open late. ‘I always have a great time whenever we go to a comedy club, we do it every now and again for a change to a usual Saturday night out.’ Clare, 29, Manchester. ‘It’s such a laugh and at the club we go to you get to dance the night away as well which I think a lot of people don’t expect. Just don’t sit near the front if you don’t want to be involved in the comedian’s routine.’ Simon, 22, Cheshire. Celebrity status Lots of established comedians tour the UK’s theatres and some of the bigger comedians like Peter Kay, famous both for his stand-up comedy and TV shows Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy’s road to nowhere, manage to attract thousands of people. Tours like this are usually recorded and later released on DVD which brings stand-up comedy into the home. This trend means that more comedians are becoming household names. Women in comedy Comedy is no longer just performed by men, although the number of female comedians is still small. One of the most prestigious comedy prizes in 2005 was won by a comedienne. In 2005 Laura Solon became the second woman to win the Perrier Award as a solo performer for her one woman show Kopfraper’s Syndrome: One Man and His Incredible Mind. The Perrier Award is given for the most outstanding up-and-coming stand-up comedy/comedy cabaret at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Well known comedians and previous winners are not allowed to enter so the award and ￡7,500 prize money supports new talent. Born to make people laugh A survey by the channel UKTV Gold looked to see if the star sign people are born under determines how funny they are. A study of more than 300 of our favourite comic actors and performers revealed the greatest proportion of them were born under Cancer. Two of t