Mark Thomas hosts a series featuring iconic American comedians

Stan Freberg – American satirist and comedian Stan Freberg performs at London’s Comedy Store at the age of 79. Stan reprises favourite songs and routines which made him a legend in the 1950s and 60s – to the accompaniment of the original orchestral backing.

The Firesign Theatre – The Firesign Theatre make their first British appearance for many years at the London Comedy Store. Since the mid 1960s, the four-man comedy troupe has been one of the best kept secrets in American comedy. With shades of Monty Python and The Goon Show, they grew out of a free-form radio show in California. The Firesign Theatre went on to produce a series of comedy albums which became cult favourites, in which they combined satire with parodies of popular culture and classic drama.Expect political comment, a virtuoso range of comic voices, and plenty of verbal ingenuity.

Mort Sahl – A one-off performance by the great American comic and social satirist, Mort Sahl. This pioneering political comic of the 1950s and 60s proves his grip on events is as sharp and biting as ever.

Shelley Berman – Famed for his pioneering one-sided phone calls, American icon Shelley Berman brings his unique observational wit to the UK.

Series in which Mark Thomas introduces iconic American comedy performers.