comedy

Alan Bennett (born 9 May 1934) is an English author, actor, humorist and playwright. Early years Bennett was born in Armley in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The son of a co-op butcher, Bennett attended Leeds Modern School (now Lawnswood School), learned Russian at the Joint Services School for Linguists during his National Service, and gained a place at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.However, having spent time in Cambridge during national service, and partly wishing to follow the object of his unrequited love, he decided to apply for a scholarship at Oxford University.

Russell Edward Brand (born June 4, 1975 in Grays, Essex, England) is an English stand-up comedian, radio DJ, television presenter, author, newspaper columnist, and actor. Brand dresses in a flamboyant bohemian fashion; his style consisting of a black eye-liner, tight monochromatic clothing, drainpipe jeans, Beatle boots and long, shaggy backcombed hair. He describes himself as looking like an "S&M Willy Wonka." He is a fan of The Smiths and Morrissey, and has a cat of the same name. Brand is a vegetarian and does yoga.

Musician and comedian Mitch Benn, who was voted best new comic at the 1995 Glastonbury festival, frequently performs comic and satirical songs with his band The Distractions: Kirsty Newton and Tash Baylis. (See also Mitch Benn: http://www.last.fm/music/Mitch+Benn)

Carr was born in Slough, Berkshire to Irish parents and was educated at Burnham Grammar and later at the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe where he achieved 4 A grades at A-level, before going on to receive a 2:1 degree in Social and Political Sciences from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. After leaving Cambridge, Carr was hired by the oil company Shell as a marketing executive, a job which he described as "the easiest job in the world". Less than two years afterwards, he took redundancy and joined JC Productions Ltd in order to begin a career in stand-up comedy.