With stand-up comedy, the best is when the audience are quite close together. You want them to be uncomfortable so that they are awake. And somehow being uncomfortable does somehow create the conditions for laughter. They also need to be prepared mentally, subconsciously as they come into the room. It's not like the cinema where they sit back in comfort and anonymity In a stand-up show, whether they realize it or not,. They are part of the show because their laughter is vital. This allows me to use some acting skills and also some stand up comedy skills.