A double act (also known as a comedy duo) is a form of comedy originating in the British music hall tradition,[1] and American vaudeville, in which two comedians perform together as a single act, often highlighting differences in their characters' personalities. Pairings are typically long-term, in some cases for the artists' entire careers.[2] Double acts perform on the stage, television and film.
The format is particularly popular in the UK where successful acts have included Peter Cook and Dudley Moore (Cook's deadpan delivery contrasted with Moore's buffoonery), Flanagan and Allen,[3] Morecambe and Wise and The Two Ronnies.[4][5] The tradition is also present in the US with acts like Wheeler and Woolsey, Abbott and Costello, Gallagher and Shean, Burns and Allen, and Lyons and Yosco. The British-American comedy double act Laurel and Hardy has been described as the most popular in the world.[6]
- ^ "A curious history of the comedy double act | Charlie Higson".
- ^ Roberts, Andrew (2018). The double act : a history of the great British comedy duo. Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-8432-4. OCLC 1065523122.
- ^ ""Chesney and Allen" The Crazy Gang".
- ^ "Peter Cook & Dudley Moore, The 25 best comedy duos". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "Who is your favourite UK TV comedy double act?". Radio Times.
- ^ "Laurel and Hardy – the world's greatest comedy double act". Sunday Post. 19 October 2013.