Comedy Festival
Line up subject to change
Friday 11 July - opening gala
Danny Bhoy
In 2001, Danny took his first full length solo show to the Edinburgh Festival, where, within a week, he had sold out his entire three-week run.
Since then, he has made annual appearances at all the major comedy festivals around the world.The success of his live work led to various TV appearances on high- profile national Australian TV shows such as Rove Live, The Glasshouse, and several Melbourne International Comedy Festival Galas. In just a few years he has also broken ticket records at festivals in Australia and New Zealand.
2007 saw Danny embark on his first massive tour of Australia, which included 94 dates across all the major regional towns and cities, and ended with a triumphant series of shows at the Sydney Opera House. He then went on to his 3rd sell-out tour of New Zealand, and became the first stand up comedian ever to do a run of English-speaking stand-up shows in India.
Ricky Grover
Ricky Grover, writer, actor and comedian, has been previously awarded for his work in short films, including the theatrically released 'Punch' and the Channel 4 film 'Hungry'. More recently he has been spotted humouring audiences with his appearances on the BBC2 Comedy series ‘Orrible, and presenting critically-acclaimed BBC TV documentary 'F*** Off I’m Fat'. After headlining performances at Jongleurs and London's Comedy Store, Gala Night is sure in for a treat!
Paul Sinha
International touring comedian Paul Sinha has spent many years performing across the world and for TV shows including Edinburgh and Beyond, World Stands Up and Radio 4's Loose Ends and the Now Shows.
Shazia Mirza
Shazia Mirza is well recognised for the integration of religion into her performance, focusing her act around her Muslim faith. She has more recently presented BBC3 documentary “F*** Off, I’m A Hairy Woman”, and has spent the start of 2008 touring her own stand up performance up and down the UK.
Rick Right
Musical comedy genius at its best, Rick Right takes songs we all know and love, and warps them into something much more fun. Known as 'the rock and roll comic', Rick is also talented in the styles of R'n'B, country, disco and many more. Try testing him on his knowledge of popular music – he'll certainly impress you!
Sean Collins
It's not unusual to be involved as part of a comedy act, however laid back Canadian comedian Sean Collins is going to make sure you're more than involved. With more than a decade's worth of experience on the comedy circuit, he plays a fine line between rude and hilarious.
Harvey Oliver
International performer Jeff Stevenson (aka Harvey Oliver) has previously been seen in one off performances on the classic Only Fools And Horses TV show, as well as being honoured to appear on the maiden voyage of the QM2 alongside greats Dame Shirley Bassey and Des O’Connor.
Mickey Flanagan
Extensively touring the UK at this present moment, cheeky, chirpy Cockney cocky Mickey Flanagan will charm and amuse.
Saturday 12 July
Rhod Gilbert
After supporting Lee Mack on his 2007 tour, and his own headline tour across the UK, Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert has also entertained troops across Iraq and has been busy working on new ideas for radio and TV, including being the voice for the Paramount Comedy Channel.
Owen O'Neill
With his television debut on Saturday Live in 1985, Irishman Owen O’Neill has become one of Ireland’s most popular stand up comedians. Performing worldwide, he is also an established writer and actor, some of his works including ‘Paradise Heights’ which featured on BBC1 in 2002, and has also been repeatedly invited back on American shows David Letterman and Conan O’Brien.
Jo Caulfield
Jo Caulfield is certainly set to entertain, with previous repeat performances on BBC’s ‘Mock The Week’, and ‘Have I Got News For You’. Also hosting her own Radio 4 show ‘It’s That Jo Caulfield Again’, her comedy writing skills can be seen on all five series of ‘Graham Norton’. Now, in 2008, she is touring her own personal stand up performance, an interesting selection of which will be seen for the first of our Gala Nights!
Wilson Dixon
Travelling the world, and drawing huge crowds in with his Country style of musical comedy, Wilson Dixon brings forward an interesting set list of oddball advice and humorous tales to tickle your fancy.
Ricky Grover
So good we booked him twice, comedian Ricky Grover will be entertaining us yet again for part 2 of the gala. Previously headlining performances at Jongleurs, and London’s Comedy Store, who could blame us?!
Trevor Crook
With his career starting in 1991, Australian Trevor Crook managed to be awarded with the Sydney Comic of the Year Award within one year. He’s also appeared in four series of Live at Jongleurs, and on BBC1’s Stand Up Show.
Paul Thorne
Performing topical comedy based on this week’s news, UK comedian Paul Thorne also has TV credits such as Live at Jongleurs, BBC1’s Stand Up Show and ITV’s Oddballs under his belt.
Felix Dexter
Felix Dexter provides a whole new dimensional lift to his comedy performances – starting with his observational stand up and introducing a range of characters throughout, his performance remains unique and impressive, remaining accessible for audiences of all kinds to enjoy. His television performances include a pivotal role on ‘The Real McCoy’ on BBC2, and a guest performance on ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ on BBC1
Wednesday 16 July
Tim Minchin
Australian comedian Tim Minchin previously delighted audiences on ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ and his newly anticipated documentary ‘Rock N Roll Nerd’ detailing his life between 2005 and 2006 is being premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival later this year.
Paul Zenon
Britain’s most recognised trickster, Paul Zenon has spent years perfecting his magic performance, selling out his headline shows across Europe, Australia and Asia to name but a few. Writer of bestseller ‘100 Ways To Win A Tenner’, Paul has spent the past month on tour with Harry Hill and Lee Mack in aid to raise money for his project ‘The Wonderbus’
Thursday 17 July
The Comedy Store Players
Currently made up of Andy Smart, Richard Vranch, Stephen Frost, Steve Steen and Phill Jupitus. The Comedy Store Players use their excellent ad lib skills to provide an evening’s worth of entertainment for all who go to see them. Originally started by some of the great comedians back in 1985, the sketches use only the brilliance of improvisation to bring the performance to life. Positive reviews from the Daily Telegraph, Manchester Evening News and the London Evening Standard all provide an impressive insight into an exciting and unique performance that has to be seen to be believed.
Friday 18 July - closing gala
Bob Mills
Starting comedy in 1985, Bob Mills has been more well known for his late night cult TV show ‘In Bed With Me Dinner’ and for appearing on Channel 4’s ‘The Show’. Not just known for his comedic delights, he has been a well established writer, with the entire 6 series of comedy drama ‘Northern Lights’ and 2006 film ‘Pierrepoint’ starring Timothy Spall.
Mickey Hutton
Newcastle born Mickey Hutton may have started with his music career in the heart of London, but is now a fully fledged firm favourite of the comedy circuit. Originally starting as a ‘Warm Up’ in TV shows, he had the opportunity to host Sky’s ‘Saturday Live’ show, and made his acting debut in comedy drama ‘A Streetcar Named Kevin’. From this, his portfolio of acting and writing increased, from appearing on Hearts of Gold with Esther Rantzen to compering at Jongleurs and The Comedy Store. In 2007, Mickey performed at the prestigious Montreal Comedy Festival. His guitar led comedy performance shows his musical talent, whilst at the same time leaving you in stitches.
Steve Gribbin
A firm favourite of the comedy circuit, this guitar wielding Liverpudlian’s shows consist of original comedic songs covering a diverse range of topics from rock stars to the Royal Family. He has also been featured on TV shows such as The Comedy Store on Channel 5 and Comedy Roots on Sky.
Pippa Evans
Working as a stand up comedienne and improviser for many leading West-End comedy venues, Pippa Evans has previously worked with 2005 Perrier nominees Toulsen & Harvey, and was chosen by the Pleasance Edinburgh to perform in The 2006 Comedy Reserve. A regular performer at Improvedy, her sketch show is vivid and delightful.
