Today's full programme, more choices & comment
Alex is funny. That’s what Lila says at least. But it’s more embarrassing coming from yer mum right? “It’s genetic, Hun. I’m f**king funny me.” <br/>You know that thing when yer dad’s a philandering absentee, yer relationships are forever on the wonk and the binary don’t apply? Yeh, that’s Alex on the daily.<br/>Thank f**k for Lila.<br/>Alex and their mum are both just trying to do life. Some days it’ll make them wanna punch through a wall, on others they’ll find themselves slow-dancing in an art gallery. Whatever gets ‘em through ya know? <br/>In this half-play, half stand-up gig, Anna Wheatley explores the art of being human in a world obsessed with boxes. You might do a laugh. You might do a cry. You might join hands and stick two fingers up to society. <br/>Director: Jessica Daniels (Girl From The North Country)
“Lara was statistically lucky to find a man who owned a dog. Because, not all men own a dog. Only 10,302,120. Which is not that much really, when you think about the bigger picture.”<br/>Lara meets John. He cooks lobsters for a living. She likes to kickbox.<br/>B is watching. She can’t help but watch. She's stuck. <br/>B's always been stuck. But she's not the only one.<br/>'The Sublet Next to Heaven' tells the story of Lara and John (and their dogs), whose lives change forever when they meet in Preston Park and time starts running really really fast. Written a performed by Madeleine Accalia, 'The Sublet Next to Heaven' is a funny, tender and surreal exploration of women’s bodies, public spaces and devils in paradise.<br/>This production was first developed by Madeleine Accalia at GEMA Collective’s ‘Too Many Men 2’ Scratch night and Speakeasy. It will be produced for VAULT in association with Laughing Mirror Theatre Company, with whom Accalia's previous play 'White Girls'( ***** - Feminist Fringe & ThreeWeeks / **** - LondonTheatreOne) is set to embark on a UK tour in 2020.
This BBC-Featured show promises swords, duels, elephants, castles built of cheese and all of it completely and irrefutably true! Discover how the Baron invented Morris dancing, how his actions saved the Isle of Skye from sinking beneath the waves, why every fourth child in Bruges is named after him and other fantastically delightful stories. This show will delight adults and children with its wonderful joie de vivre and other pretentious words!<br/>This exciting new concept show features award-winning comedians and improvisers who are challenged by one another to invent outrageously exaggerated swashbuckling stories based on the The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. All they have is their wits, some silly hats and the suggestions of an audience full of giggling children (and their grown-ups) to ensure that all ends happily ever after!
It ain't easy being Jack. He hates French, he got sorted into Hufflepuff on the official online quiz and he's in love with his best friend Ollie. But dodging bullies, keeping secrets and trying to get the man is too much for Jack to take. So he pulls out his trusty Time Turner and does it all over again. Maybe this time he'll get into Gryffindor.<br/>Dumbledore Is So Gay is a witty, poignant and contemporary coming-of-age drama for the naughties. Written by Robert Holtom (The Cluedo Club Killings, The Quest) and directed by Tom Wright (Undetectable, My Dad's Gap Year).<br/>For those who love fantasy and those who don't, for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, and for anyone who loves a good laugh and maybe a little cry. Join Jack as he tries to be true to himself in a world so full of prejudice and indifference.
ASIAN PIRATE MUSICAL is a devised musical featuring five seafaring Asian characters across four time periods, intertwining the lives of 14th century Muslim diplomat Zheng He, 19th century pirate queen Shih Yang, a 21st century survivor and 23rd century queer space revolutionaries.<br/>When an unnatural mist rolls across time, five pirates are displaced across time and must navigate the high seas as one. Together they contest and complicate the idea of ‘Asia’ and its diasporas with their individual and collective histories and traditions, and reimagine the future of mixed-race identities and cultures. <br/>Through an experimental blend of traditional indigenous sounds, 21st century Asian pop, and musical influence from diasporas, ASIAN PIRATE MUSICAL explores freedom, found families, and finding fun in the face of our future.<br/>This is a scratch performance. We will have a short feedback session in the last 15 minutes to continue developing this project.
This play is about a mother who lived through the Lebanese civil war, and her daughter, who has not. It’s about the way this mother speaks to her daughter about trauma, and about the funny, heart-breaking stories which she tells as one would tell a fairy tale, or what happened that day at the supermarket. This play is about silence, and everything that is never mentioned. It's about how we use stories, laughter, and silence to heal, and how they prevent us from healing.<br/>With humour and an original live music score, it explores the ways a queer daughter interacts with these stories, how they shape and clash with her life in the West, and how slowly, softly, she can find agency inside them.<br/> All the stories in the play are based on real conversations between a daughter and her mother, a refugee who survived the Lebanese civil war.
After a total sell out at Edinburgh Fringe and a 150+ date tour, David William Bryan (as seen in 'In Loyal Company' & 'Trashed') returns to Vault Festival for the third consecutive year. This tour de force drama follows a twelve-year-old homeless fighter through the Thatcher years and and the rise of the ecstasy era. A poetically grimy punch in the face exploring the ultimate, lifelong battle with the penal system.<br/>Are we already sabotaged by our genes to repeat the mistakes of the generations before us? Or do we have the power to break the tragic cycle? <br/>Edinburgh Fringe total sell out run in 2019<br/>Reviews for David's work:<br/>'A tour de force' (Scotsman)
***** (BroadwayBaby.com)
***** (LondonTheatre1)
**** (Stage)
***** (BritishTheatreGuide.info)
***** (EdinburghGuide.com)
**** (EdinburghReporter.co.uk)
***** (TheatreWeekly.com)
**** (Everything-Theatre.co.uk)
***** (FringeGuru.com)
***** (Breaking-The-Fourth-Wall.com)
***** (EssentialSurrey.co.uk)
***** (SouthsideAdvertiser.biz)
**** (TheUpcoming.co.uk)
**** (SpyInTheStalls.com)
**** (EdFringeReview.com)
A brand-new, interactive and joyous musical that follows a tap-dancing coffee bean (yes, you heard that right, a coffee bean!) on her adventures across the world. From befriending a barista to saving the rainforests, though this bean is little, she has big dreams and dares to be different. <br/>Come along on our crazy, fun-filled adventure and experience the magic of original songs, tap dancing, circus and games! The show promises to be a 'sweet theatrical experience like no other’ (Palatinate) and is sure to leave a smile on your face.<br/>Tappuccino won the Palatinate award for Best Production 2019 and was one of the Edinburgh Evening News’ top 10 family shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. <br/>Suitable for ages 5 - 10 but super duper fun for all the family.
Sikisa presents her show about being a work in progress. Being seen as a real life superhero by the people around her, Sikisa explores the brutal but funny truth about her life and herself in which she justifies calling herself a seven! The real question is, are you also a seven?<br/>From South London, Barbadian citizen Sikisa delights crowds with her fearless and vivacious personality and on-stage presence. <br/>She won the public's vote in the 2017 BBC New Comedy Award competition, for which she was a finalist. Since then she has filmed for BBC Three, Comedy Central and is developing a number of projects for TV and radio. She will guest on James Acaster's new podcast series on Radio 1.<br/>Outside of TV and radio, Sikisa is quickly becoming a hot favourite on the UK comedy circuit, regularly performing and hosting at nights such as Angel Comedy Club, Top Secret Comedy Club and The Boat Show.
50 years since man first walked on the moon, Roustabout present a glorious celebration of our relationship with our closest cosmic companion - for audiences aged 5+.<br/>For as long as we have turned our eyes to the sky we have been entranced by the moon. It controls our tides, stabilises our orbit, marks our time. And on July 20th 1969 two humans finally landed on its surface.<br/>Luna is a joyous adventure through humanity’s ongoing fascination with this mysterious lump of dead grey rock, from our earliest attempts to explain its ever-changing presence, to the extraordinary achievements that culminated in Neil Armstrong’s one small step. <br/>Directed by Toby Hulse, performed by two actors plus a supporting cast of household objects and domestic lights, Luna is a rich feast of storytelling, puppetry, music, history and science.<br/>“A must see for children of all ages – even the big, grown-up ones.”
Time Out on Hulse’s One Small Step<br/>“Boisterous magic.”
The Guardian on Hulse’s The Lost World
ARABITCH is a semi-autobiographical show that explores the relationship between LGBTQ+ and Arab cultural identities. Through Drag, spoken word and cabaret we meet ARABITCH, aka Sara, as she weighs up the decision to come out to her conservative Iraqi mother; meeting mentors along the way (like Abu Nuwas, a dead queer Iraqi poet) and enemies (casually racist twinks at G-A-Y). ?
The show asks questions about racism in the LGBTQ+ community and the homophobia in Arab communities and how both these inform the experiences of people who identify as both.
In short, ARABITCH is a show about finding community, consolidating conflicting identities, and looking to oneself for acceptance and validation.
“You’re going to use the truth to make people care; you’re going to use words to bring people together; and you’re going to give people the courage to fight back.” <br/>After years in the shadows, Alina and Vincent can stay silent no longer. But when personal beliefs have political consequences, fighting the good fight is not as straightforward as it seems. <br/>Jo Sutherland's tense political thriller asks what we believe in and what we’d risk to stand up for those beliefs. <br/>V+15 is the inaugural production of Nevertheless Theatre Company. Nevertheless exists to platform female voices and to produce work that interrogates identity, power, and politics in twenty-first century Britain.
Work in progress from a life in progress, as seen on Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Richard Osman’s House of Games, Roast Battle, Hypothetical, The Stand-Up Sketch Show, The Now Show and Fighting Talk.
‘Has star in the making coming off him like steam’ **** - Telegraph
'A hugely enjoyable hour of stand-up comedy' **** - Times
ASIAN PIRATE MUSICAL is a devised musical featuring five seafaring Asian characters across four time periods, intertwining the lives of 14th century Muslim diplomat Zheng He, 19th century pirate queen Shih Yang, a 21st century survivor and 23rd century queer space revolutionaries.<br/>When an unnatural mist rolls across time, five pirates are displaced across time and must navigate the high seas as one. Together they contest and complicate the idea of ‘Asia’ and its diasporas with their individual and collective histories and traditions, and reimagine the future of mixed-race identities and cultures. <br/>Through an experimental blend of traditional indigenous sounds, 21st century Asian pop, and musical influence from diasporas, ASIAN PIRATE MUSICAL explores freedom, found families, and finding fun in the face of our future.<br/>This is a scratch performance. We will have a short feedback session in the last 15 minutes to continue developing this project.
The case of Christine and Lea Papin has fascinated artists and writers alike for almost a century. In Alexa, Play., the case is reimagined and brought to the modern day by handing Christine’s role in the murder of their employee, to Amazon’s Alexa. Has Alexa updated to an emotional, manipulative being or has Annie, an overworked PA, given Alexa human attributes to cope with her ever demanding and abusive boss?
Alex is funny. That’s what Lila says at least. But it’s more embarrassing coming from yer mum right? “It’s genetic, Hun. I’m f**king funny me.” <br/>You know that thing when yer dad’s a philandering absentee, yer relationships are forever on the wonk and the binary don’t apply? Yeh, that’s Alex on the daily.<br/>Thank f**k for Lila.<br/>Alex and their mum are both just trying to do life. Some days it’ll make them wanna punch through a wall, on others they’ll find themselves slow-dancing in an art gallery. Whatever gets ‘em through ya know? <br/>In this half-play, half stand-up gig, Anna Wheatley explores the art of being human in a world obsessed with boxes. You might do a laugh. You might do a cry. You might join hands and stick two fingers up to society. <br/>Director: Jessica Daniels (Girl From The North Country)
What could be more romantic than giving your lover a mix tape? That’s what scientist Carl Sagan thought in 1977 when he compiled his Golden Record on behalf of all humanity and sent it shooting off into space in search of friendship, love and maybe more. Forty-two years later, why haven’t the aliens messaged us back? Is it because our message came across as arrogant, colonial and sexist?<br/>‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’ is a disruptive parody of revisionist history - a story made by men but retold by women; four women on a collision course with our own problematic history. ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’ is both an intersectional re-evaluation of this ground-breaking musical love letter and a trashy rom-com about us and the aliens.<br/>Told through visually rich theatrical language, this ensemble show layers complex sound-art, celestial lighting and transcendental movement over a modern day science fiction story. Structured like a mixtape, ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’ is told through a series of vignettes, each moment building on the last; until the gravitational pull forces the story to fold in on itself. Come and witness both the vastness of interstellar space and the domestic intimacy of a love story. Flicker by flicker, Hot Cousin light the stage until it looks like the middle of the cosmos.
This play is about a mother who lived through the Lebanese civil war, and her daughter, who has not. It’s about the way this mother speaks to her daughter about trauma, and about the funny, heart-breaking stories which she tells as one would tell a fairy tale, or what happened that day at the supermarket. This play is about silence, and everything that is never mentioned. It's about how we use stories, laughter, and silence to heal, and how they prevent us from healing.<br/>With humour and an original live music score, it explores the ways a queer daughter interacts with these stories, how they shape and clash with her life in the West, and how slowly, softly, she can find agency inside them.<br/> All the stories in the play are based on real conversations between a daughter and her mother, a refugee who survived the Lebanese civil war.
It ain't easy being Jack. He hates French, he got sorted into Hufflepuff on the official online quiz and he's in love with his best friend Ollie. But dodging bullies, keeping secrets and trying to get the man is too much for Jack to take. So he pulls out his trusty Time Turner and does it all over again. Maybe this time he'll get into Gryffindor.<br/>Dumbledore Is So Gay is a witty, poignant and contemporary coming-of-age drama for the naughties. Written by Robert Holtom (The Cluedo Club Killings, The Quest) and directed by Tom Wright (Undetectable, My Dad's Gap Year).<br/>For those who love fantasy and those who don't, for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, and for anyone who loves a good laugh and maybe a little cry. Join Jack as he tries to be true to himself in a world so full of prejudice and indifference.
‘Can we please just have a good night, I shaved my arse for this’<br/>Emma has recently passed her driving test and has been coerced by her childhood best friend Gee and their bombastic new group member Sasha to be the designated driver for their big night out. The show opens with Emma, our slightly anxious friend, driving her third hand Ford KA with clenched buttocks and fear in her eyes. Bitches In The Ford KA is set in a car, entirely in a car (apart from a short dance break). The girls get dressed in the car, they have pre-drinks in the car, they eat, sleep, fight and make up in the car.<br/>This new writing comedy piece is about the best and the worst parts of being 17, and what its like to be a girl struggling to find her place as a young woman in the digital age.
We gave her a different name to us.
I don’t know why we chose Alice.
We wanted something English.
And it’s a beautiful name. It’s Victorian.<br/>The first production in the UK to deal with Azerbaijani-British identity, Alice is an arresting solo play about otherness and the power that comes from creating our own personal myths to define who we are.<br/>Written and performed by Emily Renée and presented by Klein Blue (Are There Female Gorillas?, **** Spy in the Stalls, Brighton Fringe Festival, Camden People’s Theatre Calm Down, Dear Festival).
Norwegian comedian Pernille Haaland (BBC, Soho Theatre, National Theatre) lends her off- beat style of standup to a frank and raw conversation about navigating the world as a woman, feminist and a bit shit. Charming yet ruthless, Pernille delves deep into societies expectations as she exposes her own sexual escapades, baffling life choices and opinions about a confusing world and the white men who control it.
“One to watch” Funny Women
“Haaland´s one-woman creation is hilarious. ”**** Time Out
“Sheer ludicrous fun..” – The List
“Roaringly funny... incredibly talented” ***** Broadway Baby
“Captivating, spontaneous, surprising & delightful” **** Fringe Biscuit
“Fantastic comedy.”– **** Everything Theatre
“Stand-out star.” – The Public Review
Molly Martian spends her time writing poems and performing them to audiences around London. She also spends a lot of her time on the toilet. This Poo Shall Pass shows us both of these sides of her. What would otherwise be simply an engaging hour of poetry and comedy is consistently interrupted by a look behind the curtain at an anxiety-induced time Marsh spent in a toilet cubicle, running into a barrage of scatological dilemmas.<br/>With a microphone and spotlight on one side of the stage and a real toilet on the other, This Poo Shall Pass explores the extremes of disparity between the private and the public. Which bits of herself does Molly decide to show to others? Since coming out as a trans woman, is the public toilet as safe a space as it once was for her? And what happens when she reveals the most private thing of all: her Google search history? <br/>Join us for an evening of poetry that picks at the bits your Mum told you not to pick at, gets up close and personal with the stuff underneath your fingernails, and asks all questions you've ever been tempted to, without resorting to incognito mode.
You need 'Wigs Snatched, Perceptions Destroyed'! A show that will teach you to:<br/>- Turn #ClinicalDepression into a #MinimalistAesthetic!<br/>- Cultivate a strong #instagay vibe to prevent girls on Hinge from ghosting you!<br/>- Come up with content ideas that will transform you into a woke Intersectional Feminist, including scripted apologies for your eventual demise because someone found racist/homophobic/sexist (delete as appropriate) tweet from Year 10!<br/>Like, subscribe and book your ticket huns x
A Deaf girl fights prejudice in a tough 80s boxing gym. Part play. Part immersive show. Part musical. <br/>A finalist in Pleasance Theatre's Charlie Hartill Award, Blow challenges how we treat d/Deaf and disabled people on stage, screen, and in real life. <br/>When 18 year old deaf girl Hannah wants to join Dennison’s Boxing Gym, she’s shunned by the boxers because of her disability, until trainer Bradley takes her under his wing. Blow follows Hannah’s journey from outcast to championship contender.<br/>A punchy 55 minute show that’s part play, part immersive, and part musical, Blow asks tough questions of the audience about how d/Disabled people are portrayed on stage and screen, and how society treats them in real life.<br/>All shows are BSL interpreted.
Inspired by Hong Kong reporters LIFE AND DEATH OF A JOURNALIST follows LAURA (Lucy Roslyn, 'Orlando') a reporter who returns to London after covering the Hong Kong protests only to be offered a job of a lifetime by editor VICKY (Melissa Woodbridge). But there's one catch to this golden opportunity. The newspaper begins to increasingly censor itself to appease its Chinese investor. <br/>Will LAURA sacrifice her relationship with Hong Kong born MARK in order to change it from the inside? The play looks at journalism from a female perspective and tackles China's tightening grip on freedom of speech (as seen in the Guardian). Directed by Max Lindsay.
After a total sell out at Edinburgh Fringe and a 150+ date tour, David William Bryan (as seen in 'In Loyal Company' & 'Trashed') returns to Vault Festival for the third consecutive year. This tour de force drama follows a twelve-year-old homeless fighter through the Thatcher years and and the rise of the ecstasy era. A poetically grimy punch in the face exploring the ultimate, lifelong battle with the penal system.<br/>Are we already sabotaged by our genes to repeat the mistakes of the generations before us? Or do we have the power to break the tragic cycle? <br/>Edinburgh Fringe total sell out run in 2019<br/>Reviews for David's work:<br/>'A tour de force' (Scotsman)
***** (BroadwayBaby.com)
***** (LondonTheatre1)
**** (Stage)
***** (BritishTheatreGuide.info)
***** (EdinburghGuide.com)
**** (EdinburghReporter.co.uk)
***** (TheatreWeekly.com)
**** (Everything-Theatre.co.uk)
***** (FringeGuru.com)
***** (Breaking-The-Fourth-Wall.com)
***** (EssentialSurrey.co.uk)
***** (SouthsideAdvertiser.biz)
**** (TheUpcoming.co.uk)
**** (SpyInTheStalls.com)
**** (EdFringeReview.com)
You might laugh, you might cry, or you might be dead inside - Who are we to judge?<br/>'Ere lands a young comic genius, whose stage is a cold Cardiff pavement.
Will the Orange glow of the street lamp shine a brutally funny truth on the magic around her, or highlight the mundane?<br/>W**kers to G*ds. Cardiff to Outer space. Obsolete to Oranges. <br/>We have a laugh don't we! Why not come see.<br/>"Like a philosophy lesson that doesn't wreak your head"<br/>"It had fire. No really, it had real fire. Flames. Its the real deal"<br/>"Homelessness has gone up by 300% and this discusses in a compassionate and vibrant way- that the homeless, are just people, like you and me" - One of the cast's mam.<br/>*****
‘The house is just a house; it bears no consequence.’<br/>A young queer couple inherit a home. A joint renovation project begins. A restless house gathers strength. <br/>Time passes. <br/>A missing dog – A magic mirror – A dream acquired.<br/>As the wedge between them widens, Leah and Oli are forced to take direct action against their legacy. <br/>An exploration of home-making, the seduction of normalcy and the cost our dreams can come at. Award-winning poet’s Oakley Flanagan’s debut play is told in collaboration with OPIA Collective’s multi-disciplinary style.
Halfway through his life according to the life expectancy calculator, Watson takes an audit of his time on earth in this WIP of his brand new show. His thirties have been eventful to say the least. At 40, his life is in the best shape in living memory... but one problem remains, and it really is a huge one. Spiritual enquiry meets high-octane observational comedy as the still very skinny Watson, as usual, attempts to cram a year of pathological overthinking into just under an hour's (surprisingly cheap!) standup. Maybe we'll even solve the huge problem. Doubt it, though.<br/>***** “Quite unlike anything else I’ve seen in almost 20 years of covering the Fringe...witty, warm, perfectly judged” Telegraph
**** "This is a stand-up operating at the very top of his game" Independent
****“He always displays an innate understanding of what the audience wants...creating a bespoke experience for every gig, an added flourish to a strong hour of stand-up” Chortle
**** “A quick-fire hour of fun” Metro
**** “A classy, confident hour of comedy from one of the Fringe's most celebrated sons” Fest
After hit runs at Assembly, Edinburgh and Theatre 503 - 'Zoo' returns to the stage to coincide with publication by Nick Hern (text available for sale at VAULT 2020).<br/>Welcome to ‘Cherokee Valley Zoo and Conservation Centre’, where the most dangerous event to ever take place was the Tapir's caesarian section. But when a hurricane heads straight for Miami, Bonnie rushes to keep her animals safe. Across the world in the Yorkshire dales – Carol feels the repercussions. However, the danger turns out to be deeper and darker than the weather.<br/>A play about 'climate change' both in the weather and in the discussion of the female experience, our relationships to the natural world, and perceptions of a life well lived.<br/>What do you do when you’ve always liked animals more than people and suddenly those animals are under threat? How do the decisions we make in a crisis shape our destiny?<br/>Sometimes our loyalty and commitment make us who we are... sometimes we drink too many margaritas and go home with Ian Butterwick, giant otter expert and notorious zoo lothario.<br/>From Lily Bevan - co-writer of Talking to Strangers w/Sally Phillips (BBC Radio 4) and writer/performer of Pheasant Plucker (Edinburgh sellout 2015) comes this glorious story of two complex, funny, awkward women. A tale of tragedy, courage, flamingoes and the need to escape.
no one knows what's going to happen in this gently improvised show or in life and that's the point actually
"Mandy Tootill gives an empowering two fingers to cancer in this hilarious tale of the human spirit." **** To Do List<br/>Mandy is an idiot. In fact, she's a bit of a nob. But she's hilarious and adorable so that makes it okay. Sometimes horrible things happen to the nobbiest of people. When faced with her own mortality, how does she cope? In the only way she can, with sheer determination, wit and a mannequins head called Celine. <br/>"Touches the heart and leaves you crying and laughing simultaneously." **** NorthWestEnd<br/>Twin Peaks is a thought provoking and inspiring insight into the experiences of a 30yr old upon discovering she has breast cancer. As educational as it is funny we learn about the importance of relationships and a toilet with a good flush. How cancer affects our mental health “have you ever been banned from a greengrocers whilst having cancer?” and why saggy off white bras are not acceptable in a post reconstructive surgery world. In a story that is both heartwarming and empowering Mandy uses a fusion of storytelling, comedy, burlesque and song parodies to break down barriers and help remove some of the fear we have about cancer. <br/>"Not unlike Victoria Wood or Julie Hesmondhalgh, she uses her frank, likeable and heart-warming ‘northernness’ to make you feel like one of the family." **** To Do List<br/>From sex with marigolds to why Nuns don’t have smears, Mandy overshares it all in a show that is refreshingly honest, fearless, original and disarmingly funny. Nominated for: Best Comedy Manchester Fringe and Best Comedy Performer Buxton Fringe 2018.<br/>“She is an absolute warrior who tells her story with the steel and humour that only a fighter can tell. The definition of Fierce". Gillian Hardie
Rent-a-gob bigot Jane Pasty is sorry . She sent some ill advised Tweets, has offended everyone, lost everything and now she's cancelled. Will you accept her apology?<br/>Holly Burn is an actor, writer and comic who after seven one woman shows has gained attention for her unique and individual style. Holly garnered acclaim for her portrayal of nightmare bridesmaid Jemma in ITV’s hit Bad Bridesmaid and gained international press attention with her viral internet hit: Victoria Beckham’s Vogue 73 Questions Spoof. Most recently she's starred in Harry Hill's Clubnite on Channel 4.
Touted everywhere as a ‘one to watch’ with endorsements from Harry Hill, Eddie Izzard, Stewart Lee, James Acaster, Arthur Smith and Milton Jones.<br/>www.hollyburn.org.uk
Forgiveness is about the cycles of abuse that form and affect who we are; if and how we can escape them and move on. Jonny Donahoe is the co-creator and performer of Every Brilliant Thing, which he performed more than four hundred times over four continents, including five months off-Broadway. The show was eventually filmed and screened on HBO. He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award and an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for his performance.
This is his first new solo show in five years.
'Painfully honest, funny, joyous... possibly one of the funniest plays you'll ever see, full stop' (Guardian).
Jonny Donahoe is an actor, comedian, playwright, screenwriter, broadcaster, musician, orthodox off-spinner, decent slip-catcher, capable swimmer.<br/>He is the frontman of musical-comedy-satirists, Jonny and The Baptists, as well regularly performing stand-up in his own right. His play “30 Christmases”, (starring himself and Rachel Parris), premiered at The Old Fire Station in Oxford, before transferring to the New Diorama Theatre in London. Upcoming is a twelve-part series on parenthood with real-life partner Josie Long called “Josie and Jonny Are Having a Baby (With You)” for American Podcast Network, Stitcher.<br/>“One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see ... and a phenomenally engaging performance from Jonny Donahoe”
Lyn Gardner in The Guardian on Every Brilliant Thing<br/>”The duo have the political edge of 80s alternative comedy but Jonny Donahoe has the pop soul voice to win X Factor”
Stewart Lee in The Observer on Jonny & The Baptists
A show for anyone with a complex relationship to home, Ryan Lane’s playful, inventive and intimate character comedy explores what it means to be Welsh, queer and the myths that fuel national identity. A fast-paced, whip-smart satire with belly laughs, bellowing Rugby teachers, beguiling maidens, belligerent Grandma's and brilliant lip syncing. Think The League of Gentlemen meets Under Milk Wood and Clueless. Ryan's a graduate of Soho Theatre Young Company. This show's made with help from friends, family and 29 years of Welsh self-hatred. <br/>‘blissfully silly, wildly inventive’ **** (TheWeeReview.com) 'Ryan Lane's well observed character's and clever writing make for an inventive retelling of life in small town Wales' **** (The Skinny)
Tony Law identifies as a Hominid.<br/>Homo Sapiens, Neanderthal, Indo-European horse tribesman, an Englishman, a Canadian, a norn iron man and a Trinidadian and a Tobagonian. A dog, a dog owner, owned by a dog, a surrealist, an absurdist and an artist who is comedy of person. A parent a thrower a catcher a reader and a farmer.<br/>His 16th show is turning out to be his best yet. For connoisseurs of comedy who have seen it all and are funny in their own bones. Top drawer Tony. Comedians comedian comedian for the comedy nerd seeking Dadaist nirvosis nirvana blap.<br/>‘WILD, UTTERLY ABSURD AND MAGNETIC.’ **** Broadway World
ARABITCH is a semi-autobiographical show that explores the relationship between LGBTQ+ and Arab cultural identities. Through Drag, spoken word and cabaret we meet ARABITCH, aka Sara, as she weighs up the decision to come out to her conservative Iraqi mother; meeting mentors along the way (like Abu Nuwas, a dead queer Iraqi poet) and enemies (casually racist twinks at G-A-Y). ?
The show asks questions about racism in the LGBTQ+ community and the homophobia in Arab communities and how both these inform the experiences of people who identify as both.
In short, ARABITCH is a show about finding community, consolidating conflicting identities, and looking to oneself for acceptance and validation.
You know when your partner takes you to a party and then everyone starts putting their car keys in a bowl and pairing off with Carol from number forty -two’s husband Clive while you’re standing there holding a bowl of nachos cos you didn’t realise it was gonna be that kind of night?
This is that kind of night.
With comedy.
The names of sixty of your favourite sketch, character and stand up performers are put in a hat. From that 12 brand new sketch groups are created.
The only rule? They can’t work with anyone they have worked with before.
It’s not cheating if their partner knows about it right?
Each group has to come up with a 12 minute set of never seen before material and you the audience are gonna get to judge who the best is on the night.
The winning team each week will go on to fight it out in the final for the title of Comedy Swingers 2020.<br/>Heat One - Sat 8th Feb<br/>Group One<br/>Amy Gledhill - The Delightful Sausage
Kat Butterfield – Northern Power Blouse
Tom Burgess – Sam and Tom
Raphael Wakefield<br/>Group Two<br/>Chris Cantrill – The Delightful Sausage
Ed MacArthur
Natasha Granger – Swipe Right Theatre
Joz Norris
Pete Simpson - Pojj<br/>Group Three<br/>Anna Leong Brophy - Egg
Phillipa Carson – Just These Please
Rajiv Karia
Sam Nicoresti – Sam and Tom<br/>Group Four<br/>Alex Fox
Luke Rollason - Privates
Anna Piper – Hot Mess
Katie Davison – Next Best Thing<br/>Group Five<br/>Jordan Mitchell - Pelican
Marina Bye - Siblings
Seayonce
Conor Jatter – RH Experience
Len Blanco<br/>Heat Two - Sat 15th Feb<br/>Group One<br/>Ania Magliano
Frankie Thompson
Susie Scott – Bang Average Theatre
Serena Flynn<br/>Group Two<br/>Anna O'Grady – Anna and Helen
Alex Lynch
James Alexander - Pojj
Will Sebag-Montefiore – Just These Please<br/>Group Three<br/>Will Dixon – The RH Experience
Emma Hinds - Toucan
Isa Bonachera
Mark Jones - Sisters
Stuart Laws<br/>Group Four<br/>Hughie Stanley - Pojj
Jacob Lovick - LoveHard
Sinead Parker – Norris and Parker
Joshua George Smith – Sleeping Trees
Lucy Miller – M
Jon loves films that are so bad they're good. In fact he loves them so much they changed his life. One day he found a dusty old VHS of a dodgy-looking B-movie, and it ended up transforming him into Lord Buckethead, the intergalactic space lord who battled Theresa May in the 2017 General Election. This is the story of how and why it all happened, and the even weirder story of Count Binface that came next, as part of Jon's video odyssey into the world's most unintentionally brilliant pop culture.
“You’re going to use the truth to make people care; you’re going to use words to bring people together; and you’re going to give people the courage to fight back.” <br/>After years in the shadows, Alina and Vincent can stay silent no longer. But when personal beliefs have political consequences, fighting the good fight is not as straightforward as it seems. <br/>Jo Sutherland's tense political thriller asks what we believe in and what we’d risk to stand up for those beliefs. <br/>V+15 is the inaugural production of Nevertheless Theatre Company. Nevertheless exists to platform female voices and to produce work that interrogates identity, power, and politics in twenty-first century Britain.
Erika Ehler’s uncompromisingly dark and visceral writing paired with precise delivery makes her one of the most exciting young comedians on the circuit. “If you think Frankie Boyle’s too soft, Ehler could be the comic for you” (Chortle).<br/>Michael Mannion likes to point and laugh at peoples contradictions, for example he dislikes the public but he needs an audience. From pet peeves to soul searching and refusing to believe in the healing power of crystals he hopes there's something for everyone. <br/>“Beautifully crafted gags that had a habit of sneaking up on you.” - Beyond The Joke (Michael)
Were the good old days really that good? Was America ever great? Do we really need another Disney remake? Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. In a work in progress show that celebrates and mocks the never-ending nostalgia porn seducing our modern senses, Grant Busé delivers a hilarious music-fuelled deconstruction of our selective memories.
The Scotsman ***** "Must See"
Edinburgh Evening News ***** "Hilarious"
Broadway Baby **** "Rockstar"
The Wee Review **** "Comedy Gold"
? Winner Best Cabaret - Adelaide Fringe Weekly Awards 2018 ?
? Best Music & Improv Nominated - Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 ?
? Best Cabaret & Comedy Nominated - Fringe World 2018, 2015 ?