When you work in the entertainment industry long enough you'll come across two types of comedy: traditional stand up comedy and a more modern one man show.
There are three main differences between these two forms of entertainment:
In the world of Stand Up Comedy the laugh count is pretty high - usually around 1 laugh per 15 seconds, which is usually achieved with short thoughts on subjects, and often with a series of jokes about one subject.
In a one man show the laugh count can vary, or may not induce laughter at all, but the thoughts are always cohesive and strung together, plus there are generally no "one liners" in the act.
Theatrical Fourth Wall
Stand Up Comedy is notorious for breaking the theatrical fourth wall, because the comic speaks directly to the audience.
In some One Man Shows the fourth wall may be erected through the use of props or, in the case of at least one show, simply as a man sitting at a bar recounting old memories. Of course, this isn't always the case, as many One Man Shows also break the fourth wall.
Expectations
Audience members at a comedy show have a difference expectation than those attending a one man show; for example, at a comedy show the audience generally expects comics who are going to tell jokes in quick succession, and often the audience expects very low-brow humor.
At a One Man Show, the audience generally expects something a bit classier than at a typical comedy show. Often, they expect one person to perform for them, but to provide them with a more intelligent form of humor than is often dealt with in a comedy club.
Often, the main difference between Stand Up Comedy and a One Man Show is the audience you gather for each show. With stand up, it's generally just a bunch of people at a bar that has a microphone, while a one man show is closer to traditional forms of stage entertainment.
Click Here to learn the top 3 strategies you must know to develop a killer stand-up act now!
