Update: following the publication of this story below Logan Murray has been in touch to emphasise that he is still teaching stand-up comedy, he has just stopped doing these classes. He says that he has decided not to work with Hils Jago again. He says he is not taking time off to pursue other interests such as Silver Smithing – "it is a hobby, but you might as well say that I intend to pursue a career in watching boxed sets and getting cross at Radio 4." He reiterates that despite her suggestion that he may return to squeeze in occasional workshops this is not the case.
The Absolute And Almost Beginners comedy course that launched Greg Davies, Josh Widdicombe, Rhod Gilbert and many more household names, is being updated.
“Comedy is evolving so we are moving with the times” says Hils Jago, founder of Stand Up And Deliver, “as after 16 years our original course tutor Logan Murray has decided to take some time out to focus on the training programmes he has developed and delivers as far away as Shanghai, plus crafting silver jewellery, and directing. But with luck he may be able to squeeze in a few Inner Clown, Spontaneity and Absurdity workshops for us.
“So I am thrilled to have persuaded two award-winning comedians, Luke Toulson and Markus Birdman, who not only tour the world, but perform and compere regularly at the top comedy clubs in the land, to join Comedy Training Courses as course and workshop leaders. As comedians who are now at the top-of-their game they have an unbeatable understanding of what it currently takes to succeed as a stand-up or comedy performer. Each has their own areas of expertise, but both are experienced in teaching comedy performance, and are really knowledgeable about the skills that comedians need to develop now, plus they naturally have high level communication that enables them to impart knowledge effectively.”
The comedy courses they will present include Absolute & Almost Beginners, The Complete Compere, Improve Your Stand-Up, Sketch+Comedy Characters, plus short Try Stand-Up taster sessions. Graduation showcases hosted by the course tutor will form the climax of some courses. And in addition there are other workshops and seminars in the pipeline starting in May with Becoming a Reviewer led by Kate Copstick (Scotsman) and Chortle's Steve Bennett, Comedy Viral Videos (by a Buzzfeed expert), Presenting And Other Avenues with household names who added other elements to their comedy CVs, Sitcom Writing led by recent award winners, Political Gag Writing led by Andy Zaltzman (pictured), and Take Your Show to the Fringe.
Hils Jago is best known as the founder of Amused Moose Comedy which runs live comedy shows, and also produces the two strands of Amused Moose Comedy Awards with finals at the Edinburgh Fringe, with winners such as Jack Whitehall, Sarah Millican and Rob Beckett, with finalists including Nina Conti, Jimmy Carr, Alex Zane, Romesh Ranganathan, Seann Walsh, Andi Osho, Greg Davies, Rhod Gilbert, Alex Horne, Josh Widdicombe, Kevin Bridges and Katherine Ryan.
Details of all the courses can be found at www.comedytrainingcourses.com
