In the north of England, a retired comic teaches a night class for aspiring comedians. The first act portrays the students working up their acts; the second, their actual presentations; and in the final act it is seen that those who catered to the crass, philistine views of the agent are the winners. This is a powerful play illustrating the eternal arts debate of idealism/honesty vs. success/commercialism, the serious business of being funny.
