The reading room

All pieces

Browse the Rising Comedy Guide archive by subject: from the mechanics of a joke to the rooms, formats and audiences that shape comic performance.

The Setup Points Somewhere: How a Joke Redirects Attention

Learn how joke direction and surprise work together, and choose a turn that feels unexpected yet earned in stand-up…

Nov 4, 20267 min read

Stand-up or sketch: learn how to shape one comic idea for direct address or a character-led scene, then choose the…

Oct 31, 20267 min read

Radio comedy made rooms audible through dialogue, sound and silence. Learn how a few precise cues can clarify a scene…

Oct 27, 20265 min read

The rule of three in comedy is more than a tidy list: learn to build a recognisable pair, then use the third beat to…

Oct 25, 20266 min read

Your first improvised show is easier to follow when you spot each offer: the details performers introduce, accept and…

Oct 22, 20265 min read