How Much do you know about
sketch
Comedy?
By CJ Cross
The definition of sketch comedy reads as follows:
A series of short sketches (usually 10 minutes each) performed by a group of comic actors
either on a stage or through an audio or visual medium.
In Australia, whenever we hear the term “sketch comedy” we automatically think of the
sketch comedy boom from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s with TV shows such as “The Paul
Hogan Show” “The Comedy Company”, “The Big Gig” or “Skit-house”
Believe it or not, sketch comedy has not been part of the Australian comedy landscape
as long as you would think. In fact, it seems that the history and origins of sketch
comedy lie largely with the Americans and the British. No great surprise really when you
consider that both countries have produced some of the greatest names in sketch
comedy history.
Let’s take a look at where it all began..
The beginnings of sketch comedy – vaudeville and music hall
(1860-1960)
Vaudeville In the beginning, before sketch comedy as we know it, there was a phenomenon called vaudeville. Vaudeville referred specifically to North American Variety entertainment and became
entrenched in common vernacular with the formation of “Sargent's Great Vaudeville Company”
of Louisville, Kentucky in 1871.
Between 1870 and 1880 it made the transition from loud, rowdy salon bars to more suitable
alcohol-free venues and halls where audience members were treated to a night of “polite acts”
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