DELRAY BEACH – For lovers of comedy history, this story’s a treasure.
A British scholar recently discovered one of history’s oldest comedic texts. Dating to the 15th century, it’s being described as a bridge between Chaucer and Shakespeare.
The minstrel’s text mocks authority, encourages heavy drinking and includes the earliest known reference to a “red herring.” There’s even a Monty Python-esque killer rabbit.
The text is fascinating, in part, because it shows how much comedy has changed over the centuries, but also how many comedy concepts remain similar. Give it a read.
Today’s Stand-Up Spotlight includes a group of former soldiers bridging the move from military service to civilian life by performing stand-up comedy. Within the story about the arrest of a Sri Lankan comedian for mocking religion is a note that Sri Lanka is attempting to pass a law banning jokes about religion.
There’s also a feature on the world’s shortest comedian – Tanyalee Davis is from Bradenton – and a feature on Fortune Feimster.
June is here. Be sure to keep it funny.
STAND-UP SPOTLIGHT – June 1, 2023
Unique ‘bawdy bard’ act discovered, revealing 15th-century roots of British comedy
An unprecedented record of medieval live comedy performance has been identified in a 15th-century manuscript. Raucous texts—mocking kings, priests and peasants; encouraging audiences to get drunk; and shocking them with slapstick—shed new light on Britain’s famous sense of humor and the role played by minstrels in medieval society.
The texts contain the earliest recorded use of “red herring” in English, extremely rare forms of medieval literature, as well as a killer rabbit worthy of Monty Python. The discovery changes the way we should think about English comic culture between Chaucer and Shakespeare.
How stand-up comedy can heal the military-connected community
As I ascended the few short steps to the showroom stage at the DC Improv, it seemed as if time briefly stood still. In that dark, non-descript basement venue in Northwest D.C., I now occupied the same space that hundreds of household names and homegrown talent alike had held for decades. My lime-green rhinestone mesh halter top glistened under the blinding stage lights. This was my moment to shine.
Sri Lanka: Stand-up comedian gets arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks on religions
Stand-up comedian, Nathasha Edirisooriya, who drew widespread criticism in the country for allegedly making derogatory remarks about religions, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
According to the police, she was taken into custody at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake on Sunday night while attempting to fly out of the country.
Meet World’s Shortest Stand Up Comedian, Tanyalee Davis
Tanyalee Davis is the shortest female stand-up comedian standing at just 3 ft 3 in (99.06 cm) tall. She has been recognised as a Guinness World Record holder. However, Tanyalee says her “Unstoppable Me” mantra isn’t just for her — it’s for everyone.
Tanyalee, from Bradenton, Florida, has a rare genetic disorder called dystrophic dysplasia, which results in dwarfism. Nevertheless, she hasn’t allowed her disease to define who she is.
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Fortune Feimster Talks ‘FUBAR,’ Stand-Up Comedy, and How to Enjoy Life’s Simple Moments
Known for her gregarious stand-up comedy, Southern drawl, and signature blonde curls, Fortune Feimster is taking Hollywood by storm. The comedian, who started her career on Last Comic Standing, steals the show in the new action-comedy series FUBAR, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
