Comedians: From the 1940s to Now

  • Russell Brand

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_63_x131761.jpg

    by Karl J. Kaul, 2006 © Karl J. Kaul

    Russell Brand

  • Rob Brydon

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_65_x132445.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 2008 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Rob Brydon

  • Simon Pegg

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_64_x132098.jpg

    by Jillian Edelstein, 2007 © Jillian Edelstein / Camera Press

    Simon Pegg

  • Gina Yashere

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_62_x125669.jpg

    by Sal Idriss, 2002 © Sal Idriss / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Gina Yashere

  • Meera Syal

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_61_x126122.jpg

    by Jason Bell, 2002 © Jason Bell

    Meera Syal

  • Ricky Gervais

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_60_x125840.jpg

    by Spiros Politis, 2001 © Spiros Politis

    Ricky Gervais

  • Vic Reeves (Jim Noir)

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_59_x88386.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1999 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Vic Reeves (Jim Noir)

  • Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_58_x88382.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1999 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage

  • Bob Mortimer

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_57_x88400.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1999 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Bob Mortimer

  • The League of Gentlemen

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_56_x88389.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1999 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    The League of Gentlemen

  • Lee Evans

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_55_x88391.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1999 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Lee Evans

  • Harry Enfield

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_54_x88383.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1999 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Harry Enfield

  • David Baddiel & Frank Skinner

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_53_x87552.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1998 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    David Baddiel & Frank Skinner

  • Julian Clary

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_52_x87779.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1998 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Julian Clary

  • Paul Whitehouse & Charlie Higson

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_51_x88393.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1997 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Paul Whitehouse & Charlie Higson

  • Bernard Manning

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_50_x126063.jpg

    by Trevor Ray Hart, 1997 © Trevor Ray Hart / Getty images

    Bernard Manning

  • Ben Elton

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_49_x87433.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1997 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Ben Elton

  • Joe Cornish & Adam Buxton

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_48_x88699.jpg

    by Honey Salvadori, 1996 © Honey Salvadori / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Joe Cornish & Adam Buxton

  • Joanna Lumley & Jennifer Saunders as Patsy and Edina in 'Absolutely Fabulous'

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_47_x125837.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1996 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Joanna Lumley & Jennifer Saunders as Patsy and Edina in 'Absolutely Fabulous'

  • Jack Dee

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_46_x76764.jpg

    Jack Dee by Trevor Leighton, 1995© Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Jack Dee

  • Victoria Wood

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_45_x88397.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1994 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Victoria Wood

  • Paul Merton

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_44_x47390.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1994 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Paul Merton

  • Jo Brand

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_43_x87432.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1993 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Jo Brand

  • Sir Norman Wisdom

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_42_x38481.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1992 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Sir Norman Wisdom

  • Gregor Fisher

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_41_x76651.jpg

    by Chris Clunn, 1992 © Chris Clunn Archive

    Gregor Fisher

  • Hugh Laurie

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_39_x35307.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1990 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Hugh Laurie

  • Dawn French

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_38_x34814.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1990 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Dawn French

  • Jenny Eclair

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_37_x87706.jpg

    by Barry Marsden, 1990s © Barry Marsden

    Jenny Eclair

  • John Cleese

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_36_P622.jpg

    by Annie Lebovitz, 1990 © Annie Lebovitz

    John Cleese

  • Jennifer Saunders & Dawn French

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_35_x47380.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1989 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Jennifer Saunders & Dawn French

  • Marti Caine

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_34_x77062.jpg

    by Trevor Leighton, 1989 © Trevor Leighton / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Marti Caine

  • John Sessions

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_33_x34606.jpg

    by Steve Speller, 1988 © Steve Speller / National Portrait Gallery, London

    John Sessions

  • Stephen Fry

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_32_x34602.jpg

    by Steve Speller, 1988 © Steve Speller / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Stephen Fry

  • Rowan Atkinson

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_31_x36488.jpg

    by Alistair Morrison, 1988 © Alistair Morrison

    Rowan Atkinson

  • Julie Walters

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_30_x27869.jpg

    by Alistair Morrison, 1985 © Alistair Morrison

    Julie Walters

  • Billy Connolly

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_28_x87594.jpg

    by John Swannell, 1984 © John Swannell / Camera Press

    Billy Connolly

  • Alexi Sayle

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_27_x31074.jpg

    by Alistair Morrison, 1984 © Alistair Morrison

    Alexi Sayle

  • Max Wall

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_26_x126499.jpg

    by Prudence Cumming, 1982 © National Portrait Gallery, London

    Max Wall

  • Monty Python

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_25_x45078.jpg

    by David Appleby, 1982 © David Appleby

    Monty Python

  • Frankie Howerd

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_24_x35913.jpg

    by Vincent Gillett, 1980s

    Frankie Howerd

  • Les Dawson

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_22_x87637.jpg

    by Eric Watson, 1980s © Eric Watson / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Les Dawson

  • Eric Morecambe & Ernie Wise

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_21_P150(42).jpg

    by Arnold Newman, 1978 © Arnold Newman / Getty Images

    Eric Morecambe & Ernie Wise

  • Ken Dodd

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_20_x88954.jpg

    by Michael Ward, 1977 © Michael Ward / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Ken Dodd

  • Richard Murdoch

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_19_x35154.jpg

    by Bob Collins, 1957 © estate of Bob Collins / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Richard Murdoch

  • Eric Sykes

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_18_x87790.jpg

    by Godfrey Argent, 1970 © National Portrait Gallery, London

    Eric Sykes

  • The Goons

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_17_x88639.jpg

    by Bryan Wharton, 1968 © Bryan Wharton

    The Goons

  • Peter Cooke & Dudley Moore

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_16_x76922.jpg

    by Lewis Morley, 1968 © Lewis Morley Archive / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Peter Cooke & Dudley Moore

  • Beyond the Fringe

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_14_x38939.jpg

    by Lewis Morley, 1961 © Lewis Morley Archive / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Beyond the Fringe

  • Spike Milligan

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_13_P907.jpg

    by Angus McBean, 1960 © EMI Music Archive

    Spike Milligan

  • Kenneth Horne

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_12_x87822.jpg

    by Lewis Morley, 1960s © Lewis Morley Archive / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Kenneth Horne

  • The Establishment

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_11_x125249.jpg

    by Lewis Morley, 1960s © Lewis Morley Archive / National Portrait Gallery, London

    The Establishment

  • Sid James & Tony Hancock

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_10_x45334.jpg

    by Bob Collins, 1959 © estate of Bob Collins / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Sid James & Tony Hancock

  • Benny Hill

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_09_x35152.jpg

    by Bob Collins, 1958 © estate of Bob Collins / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Benny Hill

  • Kenneth Williams

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_08_x76113.jpg

    by Anthony Buckley, 1957 © Kenneth Hughes / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Kenneth Williams

  • The Crazy Gang

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_07_x27531.jpg

    by Cecil Beaton, 1952 © Cecil Beaton Studio Archive, Sotheby's London

    The Crazy Gang

  • Sid Field

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_06_x75964.jpg

    by Anthony Buckley, 1949 © Kenneth Hughes / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Sid Field

  • Elsie Waters; Doris Waters

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_05_x88158.jpg

    by Francis Goodman, 1947 © reserved; collection National Portrait Gallery, London

    Elsie Waters; Doris Waters

  • Max Miller

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_04_P351.jpg

    by Russell Westwood, 1930s © estate of Russell Westwood / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Max Miller

  • Arthur Askey

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_03_x75897.jpg

    by Anthony Buckley, 1939 © Kenneth Hughes / National Portrait Gallery, London

    Arthur Askey

  • Sir Charles Chaplin

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_02_P281.jpg

    by Homer Peyton, 1929 © Homer Peyton / Kobal Collection

    Sir Charles Chaplin

  • Sir George Robey

    http://cmd.npg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/slideshow/images/com_01_x45299.jpg

    by Henry Walter Barnett, 1910 © National Portrait Gallery, London

    Sir George Robey

 

My life is just a series of embarrassing incidents strung together by telling people about those embarrassing incidents.

Russell Brand

The Comedians exhibition puts the spotlight on popular British comedians of the last 70 years. Britain is known for its sense of humour throughout the world, and comedy is a valued part of British culture. The selection of photographs was made from the collection at the National Portrait Gallery and includes stars of stage, radio, film and television. It reveals the public and private faces of people who make us laugh.

Flash required

You need Flash Player 9 (or better) installed in your browser in order to view this content.

Get Adobe Flash Player [opens in a new window]

For Comedians we wanted to bring the exhibition alive by including a film at the start of the exhibition with a British comedian introducing the show and talking about the history of British comedy. Paul Merton was the obvious choice as his portrait featured in the show and he’s a great historian on comedy. Watch the film above and listen to a longer podcast interview below.

Paul Merton podcast    Download (18mb)

Paul Merton podcast

Marketing

Lee Evans photo How do you create a successful campaign? Take a look at the marketing of Comedians. Who is the target audience? Get hints and tips from marketing professionals and create your own campaign.

Design

3D model of exhibition space What makes an exhibition space work? Find out how Comedians was displayed in different gallery spaces. What is the role of the exhibition designer? What choices do you need to make when creating your own exhibition?

Selection & Display

Comedians exhibition in Sunderland Look at the images chosen for Comedians. Each was chosen for a reason. How do you choose what to show and what to leave out? What story do you want to tell? How do the choices you make affect the audience interpretation?

Events

Live performance in a gallery space Museums and galleries offer fantastic performance spaces. Comedians inspired many different events. What do you need to consider when staging an event within an exhibition space?