Stewart Lee

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

In 2009, Stewart is filming his first TV series for a decade, Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, for BBC2.   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, 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 novel, The Perfect Fool, was published by 4th Estate in 2001, and Pea Green Boat was staged by The Traverse, Battersea Arts Centre and Radio 4, and is currently 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, was released on DVD and a film of 2005’s 90's Comedian is available from www.gofasterstripe.com.  Last year’s 41^st Best Stand-Up Ever, which reflected his position in a spurious Channel 4 poll, toured all year and was recently released on DVD by Real Talent.

 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. Last August’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 new piece, Elizabeth and Raleigh – Late But Live, again starring Munnery and Jupp, is at Underbelly this 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.