Woody Allen 'may return to stand up'

Woody Allen says he is considering a return to stand-up comedy, where he began his career.

The director told the BBC's Newsnight programme: "I happened to see Mort Sahl return to stand-up in New York, and he was as he always has been to me, an inspiration. And even though he's 85 and maybe slower than he was, he's still better than most.

"So I thought to myself after, you know maybe I would like to give that a try again, and that's something that I 'm thinking about but haven't committed to it."

The director's new film, Blue Jasmine - set in the aftermath of the banking crisis - is to be released in UK cinemas later this month.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday 5 September 2013.

The full interview will be broadcast on Newsnight on Thursday 5 September 2013 at 10:30pm BBC Two.