Comical
Entertainment
The South West's Home of Comedy
WHAT'S ON
MARK STEEL - An Evening and A Little Bit of a Morning with Mark Steel
8.00pm Friday 24 March 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
8.00pm Saturday 25 March 2023 Palace Theatre Paignton, Paignton
There is so much to yell about. There’s the modern world in which you spend so long trying to work out iTunes, that it’s easier to form a band and learn the songs.
But there’s also so much to be delighted with. Like the fact that everyone in Northampton knows the sign that says ‘Family Planning Advice – Use Rear Entrance’.
Then there’s the crazy story of being brought up in a working-class street in Kent, to discover my natural father was a millionaire backgammon player who was best mates with Lord Lucan.
I’ve come to terms with the fact I’m a heap of contradictions, trying to stay young while being unable to log into any website. Trying to be respectable and mainstream (in this show there will even be a piano and a bit of singing), until I can’t help breaking into a steaming rant that would get me locked away somewhere secure if it wasn’t on a stage.
And this is stand-up, so whatever has happened in the room, in the town or in the world that day will almost certainly be in the show.
So, I’ll try to keep it to a decent length, but it could so easily end up as an evening and part of the next day.
The critically acclaimed Mark Steel’s in Town was voted the 6th best radio comedy ever and Mark is a regular on the BBC’s Have I Got News For You, QI and BBCR4’s News Quiz. He has been named newspaper columnist of the year and is author of the award-winning audiobook Who Do I Think I Am.
Guidance 14+
MAGICAL BONES - Soulful Magic
7.30pm Saturday 1 April 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
7.30pm Sunday 2 April 2023 The Quad Theatre, Marjon Plymouth
Following sell out runs at the Edinburgh Festival and across the UK, the Britain’s Got Talent finalist takes to the road with a brand-new show full of the most awe-inspiring and high energy magic you’ll see this year. Direct from appearances on America’s Penn & Teller Fool Us, BBC1’s BAFTA Awards, ITV1’s This Morning and Sky’s Around The World In 80 Tricks.
‘A dazzling show… full of imagination and flair’ **** The Guardian
‘What’s happening on stage really is magic’ The Telegraph
‘A spellbinding show that leaves the audience gasping in disbelief’ **** The Wee Review
Age Guidance 10+
FRANCIS ROSSI - Tunes and Chat
7.30pm Friday 14 April 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth Marjon University
Status Quo legend Francis Rossi is taking up his acoustic guitar to bring you a selection of well-known hits and some previously not-performed-live-before tunes. It’ll be a unique evening in which Francis will reprise fan favourites from a remarkable 50+year career. Expect original-style, acoustic versions of Quo classics, threaded together with chat in this music based evening. VIP packages are available for those wishing to meet Francis before the show.
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE - Absolute Shower
7.30pm Saturday 15 April 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth Marjon
7.30pm Sunday 16 April 2023 Launceton Town Hall, Launceston
A blisteringly funny stand-up show from multi award-winning comedian Marcus Brigstocke. 'Devilishly Funny' (TheArtsDesk.com). This joyful show celebrates the personal triumphs and small victories of the past couple of years... while acknowledging it has, in so many ways, on so many days, for the most part, been an absolute shower of shit. 'Charming, hilarious and utterly refreshing. Don't miss this incredible show' (Sunday Mirror).
Guidance 14+
ALFIE MOORE - Fair Cop Unleashed
7.30pm Friday 28 April 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
Join BBC Radio 4’s cop-turned-comedian Alfie Moore for his latest stand-up tour show. Fair Cop Unleashed is based on a dramatic real-life incident from Alfie's police casebook. Relive with him the thrilling ups and downs of the night a mysterious clown came to town and more than one life ended up in the balance. It was no laughing matter – but this show certainly is! Enjoy Alfie’s unique brand of humour hilariously woven together with his personal insights into his life on the front-line of the police force.
It’d be a crime to miss it!
★★★★ “…offbeat, revealing and very funny” Daily Mail
★★★★ “…lots of well-crafted jokes and a large dash of police gallows humour” Telegraph
“Brilliantly funny…. genuinely hilarious” David Mitchell
ZOE LYONS - Bald Ambition
7.30pm Saturday 29 April 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
7.30pm Sunday 30 April 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth Marjon University
Zoe Lyons has kept herself busy in the last couple of years by having what can best be described as a monumental midlife crisis. It involved buying a sports car, having a brief marital separation and running a 100k ultra marathon which really didn’t end well. Along the way her hair decided the best thing to do was abandon ship. It ain’t easy being a middle aged woman: try doing it with a combover. Thankfully Zoe has been able to explore the funny side of all these twists and turns. It's time to sell the silly car and try and put the wheels back on her life.
Zoe is the host of BBC2’s Lightning. She's known as a star of Live at the Apollo and a regular on Have I Got News for You (BBC1), QI (BBC2), and Mock the Week (BBC2). Other credits include Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (BBC2), Stand Up and Deliver (C4), House of Games (BBC2). Zoe is an immediately recognisable voice on Radio 4 as a regular on The News Quiz, Just a Minute, The Unbelievable Truth and The Now Show, and also co-hosts Frank Skinner’s show on Absolute Radio.
MARTI PELLOW - Pellow Talk
7.30pm Wednesday 24 May 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
You’ve never seen me like this before. You’ve never been this close. I’m inviting you to spend an intimate evening with me – think of it as coming back to my place for a night of stories and songs. Pellow Talk is a chance to learn all about me, not just as a singer and songwriter with Wet Wet Wet, but as a boy and a man. It’s a chance to understand the DNA of the hits that we’ve listened to and loved over the years. The evening will be wrapped in music, from songs you know to ones you’ll get to know. There’ll be laughter as we travel from the banks of the River Clyde to the top of the charts, then onto Broadway and beyond. There’ll be no mask and no character. This is me, Marti, stepping out of the shadows, speaking directly to you. The invitation is there. I hope you come and spend some time with me. Enough living has been done for a life to unfold. Enough years have passed for a story to be told.
Marti Pellow
JEN BRISTER - The Optimist
7.30pm Thursday 8 June 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
If Jen Brister has learned anything in the past 18 months, it’s that she’s no good in a crisis. (Unless you count getting into the foetal position in under 30 seconds.) Has the pandemic changed her for the better or is she the same old pessimistic naysayer she’s always been? I think we all know the answer to that. Let’s just hope she can make it funny.
“No one does furious better than Brister.” **** - The Guardian
“Her energy is explosive. Her use of space and delivery, mesmerising.” The Sunday Times
“A phenomenal display of sinewy stand up.” Chortle
Photo Credit: Matt Crockett
Age Guidance 18+
EDDIE 'THE EAGLE' EDWARDS - An Evening With
7.30pm Sunday 11 June 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
Eddie Edwards is a British ski jumping champion who was the first (and only) competitor to represent Great Britain at the Winter Olympics in Ski Jumping. He became Britain’s 1st and only Olympic ski jumper and was fondly re-christened “Eddie the Eagle”.
Then in 1988 he travelled to Calgary and represented Britain in the Winter Olympics. As the guy who came last he got more publicity than the Gold Medal winner and Eddie’s heroic Olympic efforts thrust him into the limelight. This endeared him to the public and made him a household name. He was known for wearing bottle top glasses which steamed up when he ski-jumped.
Eddie gained his Eagle nickname after the International Olympics Committee President, Juan Antonio Samaranch, referenced him during the closing ceremony: ‘At Calgary people set new goals, created new world records and some even flew like an eagle’.
Eddie still holds the British Olympic record for ski jumping at 71 metres; his personal best is currently 119.5 metres. He holds the world record for stunt jumping (10 cars/6 buses) and was ranked world number 9 at amateur speed skiing (106.8mph).
Although he is remembered for coming last Eddie always says that just getting to the Olympics was his Gold Medal which epitomises the true Olympic Spirit.
Eddie has made numerous television and radio appearances including ‘The Alan Tichmarsh Show’, ‘Britain’s Brightest’, Celebrity Eggheads’ ‘Pointless Celebrities’, ‘The One Show’, ‘Celebrity Best Dish’.
In 2011 he won BBC1’s ‘Celebrity Wipeout’ and in February 2013 was the first winner of ITV1’s brand new diving show ‘Splash!’.
He appears regularly as an after dinner speaker on P & O Cruises.
‘Eddie The Eagle’ film, based on Eddie’s life was released in April 2016, starring Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton.
ANDY HAMILTON - An Evening With...
7.30pm Sunday 9 July 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
7.30pm Monday 10 July 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth Marjon University
In an intimate evening of comic reflection, reminiscence, and revelation, award-winning writer and comedian Andy Hamilton looks back over his more than forty years in comedy and seventy(ish) years on the planet and tries to answer some questions!
He recalls stories from his extensive professional career in comedy, and shares memories, anecdotes, and opinions, from the political to the personal. In the second half of the show, the audience can ask Andy questions on any topic at all.
Come and enjoy an enlightening and entertaining but above all funny evening with a master of comedy.
More about Andy...
Beginning in 1976 as a contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Week Ending, Andy has since picked up a raft of awards for co-writing and co-directing such household TV classics as Drop The Dead Donkey and Outnumbered. His TV satires turned up the heat on Westminster with BallotMonkeysand Power Monkeys on Channel 4. He and his co-writer Guy Jenkin also penned and directed the hit British comedy feature film What We Did On Our Holiday (starring David Tennant, Rosamund Pike, and Billy Connolly), and a second series of their latest sitcom Kate & Koji (starring Brenda Blethyn) was broadcast in early 2022.
Andy’s numerous TV and radio credits include Have I Got News For You, QI, Andy Hamilton Sort of Remembers, The News Quiz, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, Trevor’s World of Sport, and Old Harry’s Game, not to mention as the voice of Dr Elephant - the dentist in the children's show Peppa Pig.
He has also written two novels: his debut, The Star Witness; and his latest epic, Longhand, which was published in his own handwriting.
BRIDGET CHRISTIE - Who Am I?
7.30pm Wednesday 13 September 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
7.30pm Thursday 14 September 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth Marjon University
Bridget Christie is hot, but not in a good way. The 51 year old critically-acclaimed stand-up leaks blood, sweats, and thinks that Chris Rock is the same person as The Rock. The Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award winning comedian cannot ride the motorbike she bought to combat her mid-life crisis because of early osteoarthritis in her hips and RSI in her wrist; and wonders why there are so many films, made by men, about young women discovering their sexuality, but none about middle-aged women forgetting theirs. It’s a menopause laugh-a-minute with a confused, furious, sweaty lady who is annoyed by everything.
Brand new show from the Rose d’Or and South Bank Sky Arts Award winner, star of her own Netflix special, Taskmaster favourite, Channel 4 sitcom The Change and BBC Radio 4 series Bridget Christie Minds the Gap and Mortal.
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"making us laugh in surprising ways... a mini-masterpiece" Guardian
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"exquisite finesse" The Times
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"razor-sharp, consistently hilarious" The Telegraph
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"a mischievously subversive work full of laugh-out-loud gags" Evening Standard
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"intrinsically funny" Chortle
Age Guidance: 14+ Photo credit: Natasha Pszenicki
PETE FIRMAN - Trik Tok
7.30pm Sunday 24 September 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
With over 175 million online views and countless TV appearances under his belt, Pete is firmly established as the UK's top comedy magician. You may have seen him on ITV1's Tonight at the London Palladium and The Next Great Magician, BBC1's The Magicians, The John Bishop Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme, or caught one of his massively popular viral videos on social media.
Pete is an award-winning performer who is not to be missed live. Expect an evening of jaw-dropping magic and laugh-out-loud comedy. TrikTok takes Pete's magic from the small screen to the stage and gives audiences a chance to see his critically-acclaimed magical skills in the flesh.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Mirror
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Time Out
★ ★ ★ ★ Independent
★ ★ ★ ★ Scotsman
★ ★ ★ ★ Metro
'The man from Middlesbrough sets the pace for comedy-meets-magic in the 21st century’ The Times
'The new poster-boy for British comedy magic’ The Telegraph
'Seamless blending of quality magic and stand-up comedy. It is a joy to watch’ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
‘The best magic tricks in the Universe’ Independent
Age Guidance 11+
SIR GEOFFREY BOYCOTT - A Brand New Knight Out
7.30pm Wednesday 4 October 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth Marjon University
Cricket fans countrywide miss Geoffrey’s distinctive voice and abrasive personality on our airwaves. Test Match Special is so much the poorer without his expert analysis, forthright opinions - and hilarious banter with Aggers!
Who now in the box has faced Lillee, Thommo, Marshall, Holding and the rest in their pomp? Who else has stood a few short yards away from these fearsome competitors bowling over 90 miles an hour at their head? And who else can put your there and tell you exactly what it feels like?
Geoffrey has always had a unique ability to communicate what it actually feels like to play the game at the highest level. He can analyse playing conditions, a player’s technique and predict outcomes with forensic expertise and unmatched accuracy. He has been in love with cricket all his life and, from a young age, worked with blinkered dedication on his craft. At the height of his powers, he was acknowledged as being the best batsman in the world. This unparalleled experience and his deep love of the game are what make his forthright, honest views so compelling.
In An Evening With Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Geoffrey shares personal film footage from an incredible career - some which has never been seen before. He recalls hilarious anecdotes featuring the larger-than-life personalities he has encountered on the way - among them Brian Close, Fred Trueman, Ian Botham, Harry Secombe and his great pal, Brian Clough. There is also a chance for the audience to ask Sir Geoffrey their own questions.
You may not be able to hear Geoffrey on the radio, but you can see him live on stage in An Evening With Sir Geoffrey Boycott. Photos, films, Aggers wind-ups and hysterical anecdotes - all in all it’s a brilliant and unmissable new evening in the company of one of this country’s greatest ever sportsmen.
As ever, this cricket event is being run in aid of the Professional Cricketers’ Association and we raise money from the evening for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust.
PAUL ZERDIN - Puppetman
7.30pm Saturday 7 October 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
The America’s Got Talent winner is back with a brand-new comedy show for 2023. Join Paul and an array of ‘funny and sharp-tongued’ (The Observer) creations including Sam, Albert, Baby, Roger the bodyguard and an urban fox, as he takes to the road with a show which promises that ‘when you are not laughing, you will simply be left in awe’ (Three Weeks). As seen on Lost Voice Guy’s Christmas Comedy Club (ITV), Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (BBC1), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), and Tonight At The London Palladium (ITV).
‘A ventriloquist at the top of his game, Zerdin is in a league of his own… a show so polished it shines’ ***** The Scotsman
‘Technically immaculate, it’s what he does with his slick talent that really sets in apart’
The Guardian
‘A ventriloquist for the South Park generation’
The Stage
Guidance 14+
SIMON BRODKIN - Screwed Up
8.00pm Friday 13 October 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth Marjon University
Fresh from his sold-out, critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run and becoming the most viewed British comedian of all time on TikTok, world-famous prankster and Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin is back with an outrageous new stand-up show.
In ‘Screwed Up’ Simon rips into celebrity culture, social media, the police, Putin, Prince Andrew and Jesus. Nothing is off limits in this hilarious show, including his own mental health, his family, his five arrests and how he once found himself at an underground sex party.
“No show has made me laugh more”
★★★★ The Times
“Screwed Up is a full-on rat-a-tat gag-fest”
★★★★ Mail On Sunday
TOP SECRET - The Magic of Science
2.00pm Tuesday 24 October 2023 TLaunceston Town Hall, Launceston
2.00pm Thursday 26 October 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth Marjon University
This is your opportunity to surround yourself with the mystery of magic, cleverly fused with wondrous and miraculous feats of science. Hold on to your seats as the venue is transformed into a real-life science laboratory and lots of unbelievable "how did they do that!" moments. Experience non-stop action-packed interactive magical science experiments that will capture the imagination, a fast-moving and colourful magical science show, packed with mystery, suspense, and heaps of mess!
Top Secret is fun and entertaining for the whole family to enjoy along with inspiring and educating every young budding magician and scientist.
JASON BYRNE - The Ironic Bionic Man
7.30pm Friday 24 November 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
We can rebuild him! Jason is, officially Bionic, “ironically” of course, as Jason, the accident-prone, general unfortunate gobshite (to no want of his own) is now, half man, half machine.
Born with a cock eye (then straightened), his lung collapsed (it was blown back up and sealed with metal pins), appendix removed, cartilage replaced in his knee from a poo-on-the-loo accident, arm dislocated by a wave, heart now functioning on six stents.
Don’t miss THE IRONIC BIONIC MAN as he brings us through his one-man, half-machine show. It’s painfully hilarious.
‘Outright King of Live Comedy’ The Times
‘Unmissable’ Evening Standard
‘Full on, double-up, gasping-for-oxygen hilarious’ Chortle
‘A comedy God’ The Mirror
‘It’s hard to think of any other comic who matches Jason Byrne for ebullient energy and regulated chaos’ Independent
‘An hour of stand-up so joyous the clinically depressed should get it on prescription’ Metro
ED BYRNE - Tragedy Plus Time
7.30pm Wednesday 13 December 2023 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
7.30pm Sunday 17 December 2023 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
Attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as Tragedy Plus Time. Come and join Ed as he tests that formula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs.
Reviews for Ed’s last show:
“High quality stand-up from a master of observational comedy” Broadway Baby ✭✭✭✭✭
“His wicked sense of humour and a charismatic stage presence engulfs the massive room packed to the rafters” One4Review ✭✭✭✭ ½
“Book early as sell-outs are the norm!” Scottish Field ✭✭✭✭
“Definitely stand-up at its best” VoiceMagUK ✭✭✭✭✭
“A masterclass from one of the finest comedians” Daily Business Magazine ✭✭✭✭✭
Reviews for Previous Shows:
“Comedy’s Holy Grail – go see!” The Sunday Times ✭✭✭✭
"Tickets for his shows are like gold dust...truly a master of the art of comedy" The List
“Hilarious anecdotes… I assure you Ed Byrne is one comedian you should DEFINITELY see!”
Edinburgh Festivals Magazine ✭✭✭✭✭
“Jokes come so fast that hecklers don’t have a chance to get a word in edgeways” The Times ✭✭✭✭
Age Guidance 14+
DANIEL O'REILLY - Out of Character
8.00pm Thursday 25 January 2024 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
Daniel O’Reilly is still boasting one of the largest, strongest, most loyal and fastest growing social media followings in the UK that his fans has grown up with him through the years!
He has had many characters, but for this live show he's going ‘Out Of Character’ to stand up as he brings the laughs and looks back on the mischief, the mistakes and the madness of his career so far.
From losing it all, battling addiction and becoming a father he’s been on some rollercoaster and wants you to come for a ride with him, so grab your tickets now and make sure you got your seat belt on!