In 2009 Stewart Lee returned to our screens after a decade’s absence with the critically acclaimed and BAFTA nominated BBC2 series Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. In the same year Stewart built upon his previous Edinburgh success with new show If You Prefer A Milder Comedian, Please Ask For One, embarked on a national tour (with this show) and was nominated for the British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand-Up Performer. 2010 has seen a second series of Comedy Vehicle commissioned, a new Edinburgh Fringe show and the release of his second book How I Escaped My Certain Fate. Described as ‘elliptical, repetitious and, inevitably, solipsistic…But in a good way’ (John Naughton, Word Magazine), Stewart’s newest title tells the story of his remarkable journey through transcripts of three of his legendary stand-up shows.

Stewart began stand-up at the age of 20 in 1988, winning the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year award in 1990. In the 90's he contributed to various BBC Radio comedy shows, including Fist of Fun and On The Hour, with Steve Coogan and Chris Morris. He also performed as a stand-up almost nightly on the London circuit, and co-created four series for BBC2 with Richard Herring.

Stewart directed the Mighty Boosh's breakthrough Edinburgh show, Arctic Boosh, in 1999, and Simon Munnery's Golden Rose Of Montreux nominated BBC2 show, Attention Scum, in 2000. Stewart’s first novel, The Perfect Fool, was published by 4th Estate in 2001, and his self-described ‘pretentious art-comedy piece’ Pea Green Boat was staged by The Traverse, Battersea Arts Centre and Radio 4, and is now available as a 10” single.

In 2002, Stewart was invited to help write and direct the composer Richard Thomas' developing work, Jerry Springer - The Opera. The show won four Olivier awards after its National Theatre run, though its commercial future was compromised by the right wing pressure group, Christian Voice.

Stewart's 2004 Edinburgh Fringe show, Stand-Up Comedian is available on DVD, as is 2005’s 90's Comedian, described by Chortle founder Steve Bennett as his ‘most memorable gig of the decade’ (available from www.gofasterstripe.com). 41st Best Stand-Up Ever, which reflected his position in a spurious Channel 4 poll, toured all year and was later released on DVD by Real Talent. A 2010 re-polling by the same channel saw Stewart climb 29 places to be named 12th Greatest Stand-up of All Time.

In 2006, Stewart went to New Mexico for a Radio 4 documentary about Native American clowns, White Face Dark Heart. In January 2007 What Would Judas Do? ran in a double bill with Mark Ravenhill’s Product at the Bush Theatre, London. 2008’s piece for The Traverse, Boswell and Johnson - Late But Live, starring Simon Munnery and Miles Jupp, toured the highlands and islands under the auspices of The Stand. His piece, Elizabeth and Raleigh – Late But Live, again starring Munnery and Jupp, was at Underbelly in the same year.

Stewart is a patron of London's Arts Radio station Resonance FM. His awards include the anti-Perrier Tap Water Award, Melbourne Festival Piece Of Wood Award, Chortle awards for Outstanding Contribution To Comedy and Best Full Length Show, and various chunky lead statuettes for his work on Jerry Springer - The Opera.

“One of the top three or four living stand-ups..” – Time Out

“The worst stand-up I have ever seen” – Graham Simmons, Chortle


www.stewartlee.co.uk

Gallery:

	Photo: Steve Ullathorne	Photo: Steve Ullathorne
Photo: Steve Ullathorne	Photo: Steve Ullathorne	Photo: Gavin Evans

Stewart Lee Comedy Vehicle Episode 1