It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
28 Acts in 28 Minutes – A BBC Radio 4 stand-up comedy show

28 Acts in 28 Minutes – A BBC Radio 4 stand-up comedy show

Fast, fun, witty comedy against the clock

Summary

John Humphrys hosts the quick-fire comedy show featuring 28 acts performing for one minute each

'Hilarious ... great fun' Elisabeth Mahoney, The Guardian

28 Acts in 28 Minutes is a traditional variety show with a difference: the performers have just 60 seconds in which to entertain a live audience. Making the most of their minutes are a plethora of top-class talents, including Adam Buxton, Jason Manford, Nicholas Parsons, Sarah Millican, Richard Herring, Miles Jupp, Frankie Boyle, Isy Suttie, Tim Key, John Bishop, Tim Minchin, Jason Byrne, Stephen K Amos, Shappi Khorsandi, Stewart Lee, Marcus Brigstocke, Phil Cornwell and John Finnemore.

Featuring a mix of award-winning comedians and newcomers to the scene, there's something for everyone, from stand-up to sketches, satire, songs and poems - with a few surprises thrown in. And if you don't like any of the acts, well... another will be along in about 55 seconds.

Presiding over this comedy maelstrom is John Humphrys (the fierce one from the Today programme), who sits at the side of the stage with a stopwatch, ready to cut the microphone when the time is up.

So hurry up and get ready for the fastest show on air, delivered with a frenetic urgency that makes for a truly unique experience.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 21 June-5 July 2006 (Series 1), 25 August 2006 (Edinburgh Festival Special), 20 December 2007-3 January 2008, 27 March 2008 (Series 2)

About the author

John Humphrys

Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more