"I see the future and it's masked comedy." We ask key members of the comedy industry what we can expect in 2012.
A discernable comedy trend in 2011 was innovation. While observational comedy dominated our TV screens, alternative comedy has become stronger and stronger on the live circuit, aided by a rise in variety nights and clubs specifically aimed at championing avant-garde, unique voices. Brilliant Edinburgh Fringe debuts from the likes of Ben Target, Lou Sanders, Tom Rosenthal, Humphrey Ker, Totally Tom and James Acaster have reassured us that the future of live comedy is safe for the meantime but who will be the breakthrough acts of 2012 and what developments (if any) can we expect to see? We asked several industry experts for their predictions for the new year and received some interesting answers, with the odd bit of self-endorsement thrown in for good measure. 
Martin Witts
Owner and Artistic Director of Leicester Square Theatre
www.leicestersquaretheatre.com
The Olympic Year. Competition amongst comedy clubs reaches a peak with the demise of many, leaving the old warhorse of excellence, the Comedy Store still the place to go. ‘alternative’ comics, that create vigorous debate and sleepless nights, continue to increase their march to world domination with Stewart Lee, Doug Stanhope and Jerry Sadowitz leading the charge. Original, new and old comedians become social commentators heralding demanding, exciting and thought-provoking nights out.
Star comedians return to their roots, playing intimate spaces. Sketch groups become cool and fill theatres! England win gold medals, the Olympics are a success, creating a comedic writers block. Michael McIntyre becomes Prime Minister, Frankie Boyle Health Minister and Sadowitz Defence Secretary. In opposition stand Cannon and Ball, Jim Davidson and Barbara Windsor. King William ascends to the throne and Prince Charles reforms the Goon Show. Live to Laugh Live in 2012.
Bob Slayer
Comedian, promoter, manager, agent
www.bobslayer.com/heroes
I predict that independent comedy is the new alternative. Stewart Lee quite rightly pointed out in his book How I Escaped My Certain Fate that in the ‘90s when Janet Street-Porter said that “Comedy was the new Rock & Roll”, what it really meant was that there was a lot of money being made but very little of it was finding its way to the acts. While this is still the case in many areas of comedy, music (with the exception of The X Factor), has thankfully evolved.
The internet has changed everything. Channels of communication are no longer the exclusive domain of the industry and, as more artists follow DIY routes, so people's perceptions of what is required to 'make it' have changed. Smart managers have seen that there is more to be made actually serving the interests of their artist and helping them build their own fan base than prop up an industry that is losing its grip. When your agent suggests that you spend a huge chunk of your potential Edinburgh Fringe income on marketing, PR and posters, ask them if there is a better and more creative way that the money could be spent? As more comedians ask these questions and look for new answers; things will begin to change more rapidly.
Stewart Lee is not the only established act to go down a more independent route: Eddie Izzard, Ross Noble, Daniel Kitson, Richard Herring, Doug Stanhope, Paul Foot, and Bo Burman all have one thing in common: they have found different ways to connect directly with their own audience. Once they have achieved that, the industry has happily marched to their tune. Developing acts are following their lead and have found alternatives to jumping through the hoops set by the comedy industry. Kunt & The Gang filled our 150 capacity venue every night of the Fringe off the back of little more than £100 of cock shaped stickers and some cheeky word of mouth. Sanderson Jones personally sold every ticket to his Fringe run and went on to sell out the Union Chapel in London in a similar fashion.
I think we will see more and more interesting independent projects like these – and I want to hear about them – because they are where the most exciting comedy is coming from.
Harry Deansway
Owner of online comedy video site Raybot TV and promoter of Deansways Comedy Club (opening January 2012)
www.raybot.tv
After the year we've just had, the one thing we are going to need in 2012 is a laugh. Comedy thrives on misery, depression and despair and it doesn't look like that’s going to run out anytime soon – which could make for a vintage year!
I think we are going to start to see an end to the blander style of observational comedy, certainly on the live circuit. This style is free and ubiquitous on TV so people are going to want something a bit different to make paying to see live comedy worthwhile. I also think online comedy will be big in 2012. It feels like the culture of online videos is starting to gain momentum here.
Comedians doing impressions are going to start coming back and for those of you looking for a new genre – try mask comedy, comedians using masks. The first two predictions I actually think might happen (I've got a vested interest in both). The second two, if they do, you heard it here first.
Acts to look out for – Luke McQueen, Sean Mahoney, Sam Simmons, Oyster Eyes and Bobby Davro
Peter Cadley
Director UCL Bloomsbury Theatre
www.thebloomsbury.com
I have always found making predictions rather tricky (as my woeful attempts at gambling have proved). Well, here goes nothing. The growth in stand-up comedy over the last few years has been astounding, but – hang on a minute – what is that I hear? No, not the comedy bubble bursting, more of a quiet hiss as it slowly deflates. Yes the ‘big names’ will continue to draw the crowds, but during theses straitened times what will happen elsewhere? Recent successes in terms of The Bright Club, Robin Ince’s Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People and The Festival of the Spoken Nerd suggest that there is an increasing appetite for themed comedy evenings with an emphasis on variety, both in terms of comedy and intellectual content. Laughter whilst learning: this could catch on! If only some of my teachers had had the foresight to realise that physics could be fun…
Adam Larter
Comedian and promoter
Weirdos Comedy Club
As mainstream McIntyre-led stand-up continues to rise, so does the opposition. Alternative comedy looks to be stronger than ever in 2012. Whether it’s names like Ed Aczel, Dr Brown and Sam Simmons selling out the Soho Theatre or people like Bob Slayer, Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, Pleb Talks and my night Weirdos providing a great alternative to the Comedy Store or Jongleurs.
2011 saw big awards won by alternative comedians – absurdist Ben Target (Leicester Mercury), nut-job Pat Cahill (Amused Moose) Tim Shishodia (Leicester Square New comedian) and even the Fosters Comedy prize being won by unusual character comic Adam Riches (with nominations for Josie Long and Nick Helm too) – Paul Foot has even been on Never Mind the Buzzcocks twice this year!
Hopefully out of such a large and healthy group, sitcoms, radio shows and who knows what else will be created. Perhaps Charlie Chuck will get a knighthood in the new year.
Alex Hall
Promoter & publicist
www.impressivepr.com
I reckon sketch is going to have another stellar year – I’m especially looking forward to new offerings from Max & Ivan, Sheeps, The Pin, McNeil & Pamphilon, Kieran & the Joes and Totally Tom. Sketch fans can also get their fix from The Joy of Sketch, a suitably enormous extravaganza which had its London debut in December.
Safe bets will assuredly be whatever Monster, ACMS or Laugh Out London offer on their bills. Also make sure you see anything The Invisible Dot houses, and book for Simon Munnery at Soho Theatre in January.
Catch Ben Target before he goes stratospheric – also see PLEB Talks, and keep an eye out for the ludicrously charming Nish Kumar. Finally, keep an ear on Radio 4 next year for Clever Peter, Thom Tuck & Isy Suttie’s shows. In the land of celluloid it’s all about The Muppets. ‘Nuff said. 
James Bran
Production Manager of Crack Comedy
www.crackcomedy.com
For some time there has been talk within the comedy industry of a backlash against what is now seen as the new mainstream in comedy. A new breed of stand-up comedian is supposed to be on its way, raised on Lee and Herring, inspired by Kitson, enamoured with Key. Murmurs of an alternative comedy revolution resonate around the circuit with such sincerity you can’t help believing it. Evidence is everywhere, Nick Helm and Sam Simmons receiving Edinburgh Comedy award nominations, Tony Law’s Buzzcocks appearance, Dan Renton Skinners DVD amongst the Christmas collection. Surely the time is now?
The problem is, a quick look at the history books will tell you this is nothing new, that every year a few alternative acts break through, and the mainstream marches on unabashed (see Lee Evans and Peter Kay’s battle for the highest grossing comedy DVD as evidence that nothing ever changes). There can never be a large alternative scene they say, as by definition, there just isn’t a market for it.
Until now.
Next year may just prove to be the year of revolution so long in the waiting. Not because of any of the great acts that are coming through, or a changing mood in comedy audiences, but because of technology. If the comedy world achieved any breakthrough in 2011, it was finally getting to grips with the internet. Old faces in new places, with Alan Partridge, Reeves and Mortimer, The Fast Show and Harry Hill making content that was exclusively available online. Finally, across the pond Louis CK has just made somewhere in the region of $200,000 in less than a week, selling his hour special through his own website at $5 a time, with complete creative control.
So what are our predictions for 2012? An alternative comedy revolution? Not quite yet. But expect some people to sit up and take note of what the internet offers, a proven do it yourself outlet for those comics who for years have been making brilliant, if inaccessible comedy, but no money.
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