Book review: How to Kill in Comedy, by Steve North

I come from a country that highly esteems its comedians. We elect them, we put them in charge of our Covid response…

Anyway, I don’t have time to review this in detail but I did read something similar by another coaching author and rated that generously but can now see that the earlier book completely missed the most important element, the acted persona (in the critical 4 item formula at the start of this text).

The only criticism is a handful of minor errors in the text and one unclosed brackets, but that makes no difference to the quality of experience conveyed or the sensible thought put into this guidance over the course of decades. He also tells you what you need to know straight on the nose, including what strategies fail and why.

This book is the most comprehensive and sensible study of the subject of which I am aware and I shall look no further. Even if you do not want a career as a comedian and just need help with confidence in speaking to rooms full of people and getting them to like you, or at least want you around more often, this information will put you on the best possible path. Recommended.