Ian Cognito: A Life and a Death on Stage
Movie · Documentary

A documentary about one of the most popular, controversial and troubled comedians in the UK. We learn about the scene in the 1980s, the rise of alternative comedy and some of the unique acts that existed. There is a cavalcade of stories, jokes, songs and behaviour that would often excite or repel an audience and would lead to him being the most banned comedian in the UK. The fights and fallouts are retold and we even find out his real name. We hear about the famous fight with Ricky Grover at The Edinburgh Festival which ended his run of shows, even before they began! Insight is gained about his alcoholism, the decline in his health and the host of his final gig tells us what happened the night he died and how his outlandish nature may have been the reason why, when he was dying onstage, people thought it was actually part of his act. We discuss why he never became famous until he died and renowned comedians talk about his legacy. It’s not an understatement to say he was an icon of the industry. Many comics would agree, including him!

2021 · 1h 12m
Starring Ian Cognito, Shappi Khorsandi, Jo Brand
Director Joe Bor, Danny Ward

Trailers

  • Ian Cognito: A Life and a Death on Stage
    Ian Cognito: A Life and a Death on Stage
    Documentary

Related

  • Joe Lycett: More, More, More! How Do You Lycett? How Do You Lycett?

Cast & Crew

  • I‌C
    Ian Cognito
    Self
  • S‌K
    Shappi Khorsandi
    Self
  • J‌B
    Jo Brand
    Self
  • J‌A
    James Acaster
    Self
  • M‌L
    Mat Lucas
    Self
  • S‌L
    Stewart Lee
    Self
  • J‌R
    John Robins
    Self
  • J‌B
    Joe Bor
    Director
  • D‌W
    Danny Ward
    Director
  • J‌B
    Joe Bor
    Producer
  • D‌W
    Danny Ward
    Producer

About

Ian Cognito: A Life and a Death on Stage

Documentary

A documentary about one of the most popular, controversial and troubled comedians in the UK. We learn about the scene in the 1980s, the rise of alternative comedy and some of the unique acts that existed. There is a cavalcade of stories, jokes, songs and behaviour that would often excite or repel an audience and would lead to him being the most banned comedian in the UK. The fights and fallouts are retold and we even find out his real name. We hear about the famous fight with Ricky Grover at The Edinburgh Festival which ended his run of shows, even before they began! Insight is gained about his alcoholism, the decline in his health and the host of his final gig tells us what happened the night he died and how his outlandish nature may have been the reason why, when he was dying onstage, people thought it was actually part of his act. We discuss why he never became famous until he died and renowned comedians talk about his legacy. It’s not an understatement to say he was an icon of the industry. Many comics would agree, including him!

Information

Studio
Journeyman Pictures
Released
2021
Run Time
1 hr 12 min
Rated
PG-13
Region of Origin
United Kingdom
© 2021 Danny Ward

Languages

Original Audio
English
Audio

English (AAC)

Subtitles

English (CC)

Accessibility

Closed captions refer to subtitles in available languages with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.
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Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

  • Armenia
  • Österreich
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
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  • Estonia
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