Upcoming Attractions...
Cabaret Boom Boom plays on the third Saturday of the month in Walkley, Sheffield.
All shows are held at Walkley Community Centre, unless otherwise indicated
Ticket prices for all Sheffield shows will be £13 and £10 concessions from Spring 2011
Concessions are available for OAPs, unemployed and students Proof of concession eligibility must be shown at the box office on arrival at Cabaret Boom Boom
Cabaret Information Line: 07972 498 496
Join us on Facebook: http://tiny.cc/cabaretboomboom
And on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CabaretBoomBoom
And on Flickr http://tinyurl.com/boomboomphotos
- Spring Season 2012
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18th February 2012
Reginald Buckfast
Trevor Organ
The Anything Goes Orchestra
Reginald Buckfast - Following the roof raising hilarity from "Tony Garrulo ,the pulsing peacock of prestigitation", Johnny Electrolux returns to the Boom Boom Club with another magical comedy sketch," Reginald Buckfast and the decline of the British Empire".
Trevor Organ - Super-crusty stand up stuntery from Trevor Organ. Trev has routines inherited from his show business family, he will be telling tales about his showbiz roots, and will probably bring some plates along for good measure.
The Anything Goes Orchestra - are a Ukulele based band playing classic jazz, swing, pop and punk songs for your enjoyment – nothing is sacred. From the humble little ukuleles to the double bass, washboard, kazoo and children’s drum kit – the small instruments combine and layer to create a big band sound suitable for all kinds of events. Here you can find out more about us and what we are up to!
The World's Greatest Ukulele Feel Good Big Band!
www.theanythinggoesorchestra.com
17th March 2012
Rob Gee
Harrison Richards
Dan the Hat
Rob Gee - Slam poet and reformed psychiatric nurse, Rob uses a heady combination of comedy, poetry and social skills to tap into the world of chaos and adventure that lurks beneath the veneer of everyday life. A staunch believer in presenting the human tragedy as a gleeful comedy, Rob's is the only performance ever to have instigated a fight at the Leamington Spa Peace Festival.
“Superb!” The Guardian
“Witty, skilful … hugely entertaining!” Chortle
“He’s a performance poet, but don’t worry – he’s not shit” Jimmy Carr
Harrison Richards - For as long as he can remember, Harrison Richards has been fascinated by the supernatural, the unexplained and the mysterious. These interests led the young Harrison to a lifelong study of magic, divination and various other strange and esoteric arts. “After several years as a successful “palm reader to the stars”, Harrison began taking an interest in the psychology behind the psychic. “I’ve always approached new age thinking with a sceptical attitude” explains Harrison, “The powers of illusion and non-verbal influence intrigue me just as much as intuition and psychic ability”. Harrison set about combining his natural talent for ‘reading people’ with cutting edge psychological illusion. This proved to be extremely popular with both new and existing clients, and he was soon in demand as a unique and exciting alternative to the traditional close-up magician and cabaret entertainer. Today, Harrison Richards travels the UK and abroad with his own highly entertaining brand of ‘mystery entertainment’.
Dan the Hat - Dan the Hat provides Skill based Trickery & "On the Button" Improvisational Comedy, both delivered through a very cool, but highly likeable, onstage persona. Awesome Hat Manipulation ,Crazy YoYo and the Amazing Cups and Spoons are just a flavour of whats to come.... He shouts ..He laughs....sometimes he even cries.
Saturday 31st March 2012, Crookes Social Club
Mik Artistik
Cristian Lee
Rob Firey
Mik Artistik's Ego Trip – Mik puffed his cheeks out and began...
A long time ago in Beeston, South Leeds, little Mickie Gallagher discovered the joy's of drawing cowboy's and spacemen and superhero's... no girls allowed!
After a turbulent career in insurance, oil and construction, Mik ended up where he should have gone in the first place – Bradford Art College. Then he left having played with ink, tape-recorders, punk and obscure Eastern European cigarettes.
Why am I telling you this? Because you asked. The surreal punk, funk, Catholic, electric comedy phenomenon that is Mik Artistik's ego trip
http://www.mikartistik.com/index.html
Christian Lee is a talented and award winning, comedian/magician, finalist of the Hackney Empire new act of the year and winner of the BBC 1’s The Slammer. 2010/ and asked back to perform again for series 4 airtime Nov 2011
Currently leading the way with his unique style and diverse performances. He has been dubbed "The King of Comedy Magic" by Time Out magazine. He is a member of the Magic Circle and wows audiences with magic ranging from close up illusions to full stage production shows.
Christian is a true intergenerational performer. His tongue in cheek humour and performance style is often compared to the late great Tommy Cooper!
Rob Firey - Light Fantastic presents 'SPECTRUM' a uniquely original, quite remarkable light show experience. A highly skilled juggling display choreographed to captivating beats. Beautiful light trails in 16 million different colours are created by the state of the art glow equipment. Rob des Forges has been juggling for 20 years so expect a few tricks you might not have seen before.
21st April 2012
Calamity Jane
Captain Id
Gareth Jones
Calamity Jane - Don't mess with her, she's well hard. Hot foot from the saloon bars of the Wild West country comes the hardest cowgirl on the estate with her trusty steed Lightning. Calamity Jane ain't no lady but she fancies Wild Bill sommat rotten and wants a boyfriend. Run for them thar moors if she gets her knives out or starts to sing a song, cos maybe you'll see how she gets her name!
She's as sassy as a bullock, as accurate as a blindfolded turkey and usually as drunk as a skunk. Don't laugh or she might shoot you!
"I loved your character, the sweetness and wild of it, your charisma gives Calamity strength to maintain the audience throughout the whole show and wanting them to reincarnate in Calamity". Nicholas Cubelli – Divertia (Spain)
Captain Id - brings a carnival atmosphere to the stages as he processes along with his cocktail boat bar playing music and sounds of the sea as he sails along. Once he’s moored up the show unfolds into a treat for two lucky guest who sit at the Captains table. They are served a cocktail of cabaret, magic and comedy. Such delights as ‘Blown Oeuf’, ‘Apple à la Tête’, ‘Rubber Soufflé’, ‘Throat Salad’ and more.
Gareth Jones - The Plastic Fantastic Show - An international performing sensation, Gareth has a unique and exhilarating approach to street theatre. This daring up-grade of the classic ‘escape’ show will enthral and amaze. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Marvel as Gareth is manually wrapped in 100 metres of shop bought clingfilm. Gasp as he is sealed from head to toe. With his life in the hands of the audience, laugh your socks off as he attempts the seemingly impossible.
Fri 11th May 2012, The Civic, Barnsley
Steve Rawlings
Rory Motion
George Orange
Headlining Steve Rawlings international juggler. Wonderfully supported by Comic poet and song master Rory Motion and Dextrous clown and slack-rope dancer, from Chicago, George Orange. Plus a special guest.
Contact The Civic for tickets.
Saturday 12th May 2012, Crookes Social Club
Les Vagus
Steve Rawlings
George Orange
Les Vegas and The International Playboys of Rhythm – 13 fabulous musicians play old classics and contemporary tunes in a swing style. They filled the dance floor when they played our cabaret back in the summer of 2006 and summer 2009. Glitz and glamour will spill off the stage as will some of the band! Bring your dancing shoes.
Steve Rawlings – Brings an audience to life with his unique blend of comedy character and technical ability. Whether juggling Ping-Pong balls with his mouth, setting his head on fire or flinging blazing torches, furniture, giant cartwheels and tenpin bowling balls in the air, this is an act that demands attention! He has appeared in over 60 television shows and performed all over the world, as well as in front of Her Majesty the Queen at a Royal Command Performance.
"A brisk, skilful act that will get your heart in your throat and give you more belly laughs than any comic - and that’s a rare treat!" The Sunday Times
Have a look on ‘you tube’ for his film clips. There are plenty of them.
George Orange - inside the rabbit hole of George Orange is a myriad of spectacle. A showcase in feats of balance, strength and absurdity. A man who can walk a tightrope. Juggling flames. While balancing his shoe, from atop a pole, that rests on his face. These are a few of the many talents of George Orange, whose theatrics combine the intense concentration and discipline of acrobatics with the one man show humor and charisma of the street performers of yore. Part mime, part clown, part body contortionist, George Orange is a strange, unparalleled performer whose performance need be seen to be believed.
19th May 2012
Steve Aruni
Zigmund & Froyd
Balkan Bandits
Steve Aruni - Dressed like a mad scientist in a white lab coat, he has programmed his vacuum to sing, dance and even play the saxophone. For sheer Fringe silliness, you can't beat this sort of nonsense.
2010 Radio 2 "Highlight of the Fringe". Steve Wright.
Time Out "The utterly bizarre Steve Aruni & Henry the Groover are two of the finest performers from the alternative cabaret circuit."
2011 Finalist in the very prestigious ‘New Variety Lives (formerly known as The Hackney Empire) New Act Of The Year Awards’
2009 Radio 6 "this is what the Fringe is all about". Jon Holmes
2011 Top 10 of the 'Musical Comedy Awards' 2011
‘It is Steve Aruni and his singing Henry Hoover, who is the stand-out.’
Zigmund & Froyd - It’s A Sort Of Magic!
In 1970 identical twins were born, to different fathers, in the small European principality of Chlamydia. Since then these magical siblings have been astounding the conjuring world with feats of miracle and mystery. This show was produced in association with the National Theatre of Great Britain’s Watch This Space Festival and has also been performed at international street theatre festivals throughout the UK . This is comedy magic where the tricks go spectacularly wrong.
Balkan Bandits - Greetings dahlinks from the Balkan Bandits! We are Sheffield's brass, cabaret troupe of troubadours, we guarantee a huge slice of balkan, klezmer cheese, enough to satisfy even the hungriest vegan! Formed as the house band to NaZdrove, Sheffield's sell out underground balkan DJ knees up, we are a 7 piece feast soundclash performing our select brand of infectious Balkan versions of Too good to be True, I will survive, Doris Day and the Wallace and Gromit theme tune and Abba to name but a few favourites…the Balkan Bandits come to kidnap your good muzical taste and tempt you up onto the dance floor!
- Past Shows
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21st January 2012
Mysti Valentine
Vid Warren
What A Palaver
Mysti Valentine - Yorkshire’s own diva with a difference sings your favourite romantic tunes like you’ve never heard them before. A special selection of songs from her forthcoming album ‘Songs some other xxxx made famous’. Mysti Valentine is a guilty pleasure, a queen of the north, and a great pretender.
Vid Warren - brings you something that very few people have seen before. Look out for a few surprises and bass heavy beatbox sounds that you wouldn't believe a human-mouth could make.
You may have seen Vid Warren performing around the world from Europe to Canada to the USA to Asia; and on festival stages including Glastonbury, WOMAD, Fusion, and Electric Picnic.
"Absolutely brilliant, go and see him." Sophie Oliver - BBC
"A unique style of beatbox with clever use of instruments." Christine Fewer - Glastonbury Festival
What a Palaver - One the most charming duo acts ever to grace the Boom Boom stage. Ian and Rob will attempt to impress you with spills and thrills fitting of any great piece of street theatre, specialist in the bed of nails…these two idiots bend and bounce like a cartoon…if your needing a better look, try this link to their outrageous appearance on ‘Britains Got Talent..’
"Bold, bald & built like Spartans" - Kevin
"Act your age" - Mum
17th September 2011
Gazzo
The Half Naked Chef
Ding Dong meet Yvonne
Gazzo - is one of the most sought after professional entertainers in the world. Presently located in Bath UK, he performs street magic all over England and the USA. For over 30 years Gazzo has been mixing comedy, magic and British charm to provide a must see show. He offers shows performing close-up magic, walk around, or can play to a full seat theatre. Everywhere he appears - from cruise ships to corporate events, to the Magic Castle in Hollywood Gazzo delivers a spectacle guaranteed to have everyone asking "How did he do that?" (If they can stop laughing). Gazzo's show consists of audience participation, sit down comedy, mind-reading and his world-famous cups-and-balls routine.
”one of the best singers we’ve ever seen, his cups and balls is better than ours” - Penn of Penn & Teller
The Half Naked Chef - Steve "Woko" Jackson (a.k.a. The Half Naked Chef), Australian TV cook from the hit series "Can't Cook, Don't Cook" and author of international best-seller "Burnt to a Crisp" takes time to give a culinary demonstration that would make Delia Smith's nipples hard.
Ding Dong meet Yvonne - a character inspired by the iconic Avon Lady with all the glamour of a tupperware box! Let Miss Yvonne Calling take you into a world of beauty and glamour and demonstrate a range of beauty must haves, that you simply can't live without, finally a way to transform your everyday life to a new life of glamour, gloss...... and maybe even fame!
Saturday 8th Oct
Wath on Dearne’s Montgomery Hall
Tickets on the door £10, headlining is the Artizani’s fabulous piece of circus theatre.
With full support from your regular comperes and Mr Music on the deck. Doors 8pm
http://www.montgomeryhall.co.uk
Friday 14th October 2011, Crookes Social Club
George Egg
Jon Hicks
Madam Mango
Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers
George Egg - Wildly brandishing the worlds' second largest briefcase containing a battery of ridiculous props, George bounds onto the stage to perform one of the most original, interesting, innovative, and sweetly whimsical comedy performances you are ever likely to see. He has been hailed as 'a Tommy Cooper for the twenty first century' and through tears of laughter you'll see why. A true cross between alternative stand-up comedy and music hall variety.
"A hugely entertaining variety turn" The Guardian
http://www.georgeegg.com/index.htm
Jon Hicks - This International Man of Artistry has made his brushmark at events worldwide with his truly unique shows. Since 2000 Jon has been enthralling audiences with his high skill repertoire of artistic oddities. Including his legendary, as seen on TV, rapid fire, outsized paintings.
http://www.thejonhicks.com/index.htm
Madam Mango - Hoola-la! A dynamic feast of quirky tricks, masterly manipulation and high-speed hoola-hooping! Charmingly choreographed into an imaginative and highly skilled act in a cheeky 1950’s style.
Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers - With one foot in the old-time Music Hall knees up, one in inventive, creative new comedy and the other in the best party ever, Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers truly are a moustache-powered tuba cabaret marvel.
"Recommended by me!"Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music
Saturday 15th October 2011, The Civic, Barnsley
George Egg
Jon Hicks
Madam Mango
Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers
George Egg - Wildly brandishing the worlds' second largest briefcase containing a battery of ridiculous props, George bounds onto the stage to perform one of the most original, interesting, innovative, and sweetly whimsical comedy performances you are ever likely to see. He has been hailed as 'a Tommy Cooper for the twenty first century' and through tears of laughter you'll see why. A true cross between alternative stand-up comedy and music hall variety.
"A hugely entertaining variety turn" The Guardian
http://www.georgeegg.com/index.htm
Jon Hicks - This International Man of Artistry has made his brushmark at events worldwide with his truly unique shows. Since 2000 Jon has been enthralling audiences with his high skill repertoire of artistic oddities. Including his legendary, as seen on TV, rapid fire, outsized paintings.
http://www.thejonhicks.com/index.htm
Madam Mango - Hoola-la! A dynamic feast of quirky tricks, masterly manipulation and high-speed hoola-hooping! Charmingly choreographed into an imaginative and highly skilled act in a cheeky 1950’s style.
Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers - With one foot in the old-time Music Hall knees up, one in inventive, creative new comedy and the other in the best party ever, Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers truly are a moustache-powered tuba cabaret marvel.
"Recommended by me!"Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music
22nd October 2011
The AMAZING Mr Smith
Tony Garrulo
Betty Brawn
The AMAZING Mr Smith - The Amazing Mr.Smith has been described as Monty Python's answer to John Williams. His combination of mad inventions and brilliant acoustic guitar playing make him one of the funniest and most original entertainers around. The cardboard tube double bass, the musical shoelaces, the nutcracker played on the tu-tu xylophone, the blue danube on the condom harp and his 3-minute rendition of riverdance have to be seen to be believed.
" Delightfully eccentric comic musician " - Time Out.
http://www.the-amazing-mr-smith.co.uk/
Tony Garrulo - "Tony Garrulo's Espectacular Circus Internacional" A clown show mixing magic, stunts and Latino cheese.
"He was great....absolutely blinding. Very funny, and engaged them within seconds..How does he DO that thing with the razors?? Lovely guy, too. Thanks a lot - crowd loved him - he was perfect." Claire Smith, The Magic Theatre, Rivoli Ballroom
Betty Brawn - Born with the grace of her mother and the strength of her father, Betty Brawn is The Strongest Lady Alive!
“Spectacular and very special… people are going to be talking about this non stop… I can hardly believe it” Glastonbury Highlights, Jo Wiley, BBC TV
19th November 2011
Goronwy Thom
Mandy Muden
Matt Black
Goronwy Thom - Goronwy has performed professionally all of his life, in front of audiences of varied sizes across the world. He first appeared at the age of 4, in The Dolls House at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (where the snooker is). He then retired from serious drama and decided to try to make people laugh and clap instead and has done so in some form ever since!
“Some people are just naturals.” The Guardian
http://www.goronwythom.com/goronwythom/Welcome_page.html
Mandy Muden - Mandy is one of the worlds finest female Close-up and Cabaret Magicians. Her skilled sleight of hand and sharp humour is sure to make aany event one to be remembered.
"Imagine a sexy tommy cooper minus the Fez" Evening Standard
Matt Black - Matt Black is a writer and performer based in Sheffield. He writes poems (and occasionally fiction) for adults and children. He enjoys commissions and collaborations with other artists, and works in all sorts of places and situations, specialising in tailor-made projects that range from the serious and educational to the crazy and sublime.
"Great entertainment – excellent poetry delivered with style; the musical pieces have remained in my mind ever since." Cathy Grindrod, East Midlands Arts
Saturday May 21st
Bell Hagg Orkestar
Sharon Mahoney
Tea for Two
Bell Hagg Orkestar - From the Black sea to the red skies, a klezmer gypsy knees up! A wall of brass, clarinets, drums, bass, strings and voices woven round traditional Eastern European dance music.
"From Odessa, across the Balkans and over the Carpathians come The Bell Hagg Orkestar to delight, entertain and make you dance. If the recent Sheffiel dLive benefit gig was any indicator, where the floor started to bow, venue owners - take extra insurance, gig goers have a party!" Gondwana Sound
The Bell Hagg Orkestar combines the bitter and twisted sounds of Poke with Eastern European troubadors Minnie Moosika. They play bars, cabarets, festivals, anywhere where people want to kick up their heels and lose themselves in a frenzy.
www.myspace.com/bellhaggorkestar
Sharon Mahoney - “A versatile comic performer who pushes the boundaries of social interaction and comic possibility around the world.” Sharon Mahoney was born in Oakville, Ontario. She began her performance career at the tender age of 10, playing her first drag role as the King in "Alice in Wonderland”. She studied violin and ballet and as the youngest of four siblings she soon learned innovative and entertaining ways to gain attention. Blazing the trail of Canada, she sweetly smells of maple syrup. Sharon’s show is internationally travelled and has received much acclaim in many countries, please bring your own flags to wave or she might lend you one of hers.
Tea for Two – This wonderful collection of circus and magic blends the Master magician with his delightful assistant, strange magical mishaps and outrageous acrobalance. They deliver a finale of a performance of the legendary sub trunk illusion. A lot hotter than the tea will ever be…
www.otherhalf.org.uk/index.htm
Saturday May 14th - Barnsley Civic Centre
Les Bubb
Bruce Airhead
Ruff Daddy
Les Bubb - His original act has influenced a whole generation of comic physical performers. The unforgettable stuck suitcase and balloons, the invisible piano, flying bottle, inflated rubber-glove head… this rubber-band faced man once described as “a Puppet of God” is a unique phenomenon to be experienced.
A cacophony of comical illusions, Les Bubb is one of the most innovative and accessible physical comics in Europe.
Les quickly became popular with his unique blend of mime and metaphysical clowning, joining the “new wave” of alternative comedy with contemporaries Ben Elton, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, Lenny Henry and Harry Enfield, supporting them live in theatres across the UK , and at the same time taking the TV show “Friday Live” by storm.
From 1997 to 2002 Les starred in and co-wrote the young peoples’ series “Hububb” for BBC1, making his distinctive surreal humour popular to a whole new generation.
Bruce Airhead - One brave man, one enormous balloon, one amazing show. Sophisticated, elegant and urbane, sometimes spectacular, surreal and sweaty, and always the metamorphosis of a man and six foot balloon.
Bruce has been laughed at by the crown heads of Europe, mud splatted in the fields of Glastonbury, and enjoyed by everyone.
Ruff Daddy – more drunk and moody than Punch and Judy, this bad ass puppet is strictly for adults only. Bad Mutha interrupts Ruff Daddy’s take on modern affairs to descend into family dysfunction, everything a puppet could do and more.
Wright stuff puppets made an appearance on the last series of the Dragons Den, BBC2.
Friday May 13th – Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road
Les Bubb
Bruce Airhead
Ruff Daddy
Les Bubb - His original act has influenced a whole generation of comic physical performers. The unforgettable stuck suitcase and balloons, the invisible piano, flying bottle, inflated rubber-glove head… this rubber-band faced man once described as “a Puppet of God” is a unique phenomenon to be experienced.
A cacophony of comical illusions, Les Bubb is one of the most innovative and accessible physical comics in Europe.
Les quickly became popular with his unique blend of mime and metaphysical clowning, joining the “new wave” of alternative comedy with contemporaries Ben Elton, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, Lenny Henry and Harry Enfield, supporting them live in theatres across the UK , and at the same time taking the TV show “Friday Live” by storm.
From 1997 to 2002 Les starred in and co-wrote the young peoples’ series “Hububb” for BBC1, making his distinctive surreal humour popular to a whole new generation.
Bruce Airhead - One brave man, one enormous balloon, one amazing show. Sophisticated, elegant and urbane, sometimes spectacular, surreal and sweaty, and always the metamorphosis of a man and six foot balloon.
Bruce has been laughed at by the crown heads of Europe, mud splatted in the fields of Glastonbury, and enjoyed by everyone.
Ruff Daddy – more drunk and moody than Punch and Judy, this bad ass puppet is strictly for adults only. Bad Mutha interrupts Ruff Daddy’s take on modern affairs to descend into family dysfunction, everything a puppet could do and more.
Wright stuff puppets made an appearance on the last series of the Dragons Den, BBC2.
Saturday April 16th
Alan Hudson
Becky Love
Betty Brawn
Alan Hudson - member of The Magic Circle in London, UK and performer at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, USA is not only an excellent magician with stunning sleight of hand magic but also has the funnies to go with them.
Finalist in Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2010, Alan is taking the comedy world by storm (well, less storm - more a slightly drizzly day). Mixing original magic with his situational comedy he almost makes magic an enjoyable experience again.
"…very funny indeed. He’s found a rich seam in digging at the ludicrous conventions of magic acts and as it turned out, his tricks were pretty good too." Tony Cooke, The Stage
Becky Love - nominated Babycham funny woman of the year, Becky is a musical act who sings and entertains with her own original and witty tunes.
Look out for titles such as ’Last Night You Pissed The Bed’, ‘Celebrity Swingers Party’, ‘ My Boyfriend Is In Love With Barbie’, and many more…
www.btinternet.com/~sandlea/beckylove/
Betty Brawn – with feminine charm she executes genuine feats of incredible strength, from bending a solid metal bar and swinging a beer keg with her teeth, to breaking chopsticks with her cleavage and engaging in a tug of war against grown men - and that's just the beginning!
Observe in awe as she reveals her amazing muscles, lifting grown human beings as if they were feathers!
This elegantly presented array of sensational sideshow stunts will make you laugh, make you gasp and make you believe that anything is possible!
Saturday March 19th
Rory Motion
Mr Stretch
Rory Motion - The last twenty years as a poet, singer/songwriter, comedian, and tree impressionist have established Rory Motion as one of the most popular and innovative performers on the national circuit. Born in 1956, the son of a simple Yorkshire sales executive, Rory has delighted both natives and foreigners alike with his deceptively laid-back style, keen intelligence and quirky wit.
Rory learnt his stage skills on the stand-up comedy circuit in the late 80's and early 90's, being described by Time Out as a "a post-Hippie comic", which by way of cheerful response is how he described Time Out. Finding the increasingly gladiatorial nature of the stand-up world too limiting, he decided in 1992, following a successful national tour with Frank Skinner, to move to Bwlch y Cibau, a small village in Powys.
Rory's instinct for poetry, song and story found nurture in the bard-friendly hills and soon he was extending his engagements to include folk and literature festivals. A regular contributor to national radio, he has appeared on comedy shows, the literature panel game 'Booked' with Roger McGough and Miles Kington, and written and presented his own programmes on Radios 4 and 5.
In 2001, Rory and fellow poet Matt Harvey created a series of programmes called 'One Night Stanza' which, in a victory for poetry lovers everywhere, made the coveted 6:30 Radio 4 comedy slot. In the same year Cassells published Rory's collection of poems, 'Neither is the Horse'.
Mr Stretch – the 80’s PE Teacher is always firm but fair. He is on a mission to get the nation fit for the 2012 Olympics using only his enthusiasm, a roving musical pommel horse and some PE kits rescued from the lost and found locker.
Be amazed as he pays homage to our home-grown Olympic legends and attempts to uncover the inner Olympian hiding in all of us. Remember it’s not about the taking part, it’s the winning that counts!
www.foolsparadise.co.uk/fools07html/bread_butter.html
Swank – Cabaret Boom Boom is proud to present the world premier of this very talented company’s newest piece.
Three ballerinas are put through their paces, two won’t be making it from rehearsals, to stage, to tour. One of them is to take the lead role.
Ballet madness, full of female chaos.
www.foolsparadise.co.uk/fools07html/v-swank1.html
Saturday February 19th 2011
Wes Zaharuk
The Hot Potato Syncopators
Wes Zaharuk – Wes credits his comic roots to his parents. They made ‘not listening’ an Olympic event.
As a child, his parents dressed him in wool pants that were incredibly itchy, complain as he would, his words fell on deaf ears. When he developed a skin condition that looked like a large, all-dressed pizza, he was tested for allergies. It was found that he was allergic to wool. Through it all, Wes developed his desire to be heard, if only to reduce the rash.
About the use of props, such as vacuums, whips, and blowers, in his performance Wes quips ‘Show business sometimes lures people who didn't get enough love early in life. I feel as a child I didn't get enough unsupervised time with power tools but who has perfect parents?’
Master of mayhem, prop lunatic Wes Zaharuk, takes audience on a joy-ride of frenzy machine-gun anarchic physical comedy routines and maniac physical audience interaction. Wes is easily one of the most exciting acts on the comedy circuit. If you like to laugh out loud you won’t want to miss this show.
The Hot Potato Syncopators – Hilarious hot swinging musical mayhem. Straight from the golden era of the roaring twenties these distinguished gentlemen present a musical revue of jazz and dance band melodies interspersed with visual gags, delightful humour and novelty moments.
Since 1927 these cat swinging jazz hounds have been delighting audiences with galloping ukulele, tea chest bass, virtuosic musical saw and charming harmony singing. Absolutely top hole entertainment!
Headliners at the European Ukulele Festival 2008 "It’s like Merchant Ivory films meeting LSD and Blue Peter and thus obviously the best thing in the world ever.” - Venue Magazine
Ben Cornish – One of the country’s leading manipulators!
Not just the same old tricks you’ve seen before, but amazing flipping, chucking and balancing – feats of dexterity that only a man who has spent far too much time on his own could manage.
He lives along way away and has been separated from his performing partner to bring us a very unique and original act.
www.circusberzercus.co.uk/ben.htm
Saturday January 15th 2011
Piff the Magic Dragon
Mr B
Matt Barnard
Piff the Magic Dragon – announced his arrival by reaching the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2009 final, and has gone on to become a staple of the cabaret circuit ever since: headlining at Madame JoJo’s and Boom Boom Club, and given his own residency, Brunchtime at Piffany’s, in Circus, Covent Garden.
In July 2009, Piff the Magic Dragon scooped Buxton Fringe Festival Best Comedy award before embarking on a solo run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his debut show, 'PIFF-TACULAR', breaking the free fringe record for highest box office take in a single night, achieving sell-out status, and being described as a 'superb hour's entertainment, and possibly the best free show on the Fringe' (Broadway Baby). He returned the following year on the paid Fringe with PIFF-TACULAR 2: Get Rich or Die Trying in the main caves of ‘Just The Tonic‘ and chosen as one of the ‘Top Three Picks of the Fringe’ by The One Show, BBC.
Every hero needs a sidekick, and it was during 2009 that Piff acquired Mr Piffles the World’s First Levitating Chihuahua™. Inseparable ever since, little Piffilicious now earns his kibble charming damsels up and down the country and relieving himself on any microphone stands that get in the way.
In 2010 Piff and Mr Piffles have also been touring regional theatres as the special guest star of ‘An Evening of Burlesque’. They have just been asked to return for a 50 date tour in 2011.
'Unbelievable' - BBC1
'Cute, Inspired and Very Funny' - Time Out
'Gloriously Grumpy!' – chortle.co.uk
‘The last of his species: a card trickster who is funny.’ - The Skinny
'One of our favourite discoveries of 2009' - Three Weeks
Mr B, The Gentleman Rhymer – On a one-man mission to introduce Hip-Hop to the Queen's English, Mr B is delighted to present Chap-Hop.
Having spent the best part of a decade bringing some manners back to popular culture, this dopest of fellows will entertain and amuse you with his ingenious stylings.
Aiming to dazzle with dignity, Mr B takes to the stage with his Banjolele and stiff upper lip to perform ditties of pipe-smoking, high society, Cricket and sexual misadventure, as well as some more well-known pieces from the world of Hip-Hop, re-worked in true Chap-Hop fashion.
Mr B has fast gained a reputation as an eloquent and entertaining live performer, playing recitals across the UK and into Johnny Continent for the past two years from the Glastonbury Festival to club NME in Paris, from the club in Surrey to the Edinburgh fringe. His recent video 'Chap-Hop history' received over 100,000 hits in its first week on you-tube. He has just guested on banjolele and vocals on US nerdcore rapper MC Frontalot's album 'Zero Day'.
Matt Barnard – has performed as a compere, actor, musician, singer and as his himself in his unique one man show. He has been seen on TV shows, at comedy clubs, variety cabarets and at street theatre festivals across Europe. His shows have been seen in Canada, Australia and here in the UK where he recently received the honour of performing his act at the famous London Palladium.
He is the resident compere of the cult Sensation Seekers Stage at the Glastonbury Festival, he won the Best Solo Act at the Feldkircher Gaukler Theatre Festival in Austria, won street performer of the year 2004 and has been the resident star of one of London’s oldest variety shows, ‘The Cockney Cabaret’ in the West End. He starred in ‘The Impossibles’, a cabaret show at the Croydon Warehouse last year and he continues to delight in theatres worldwide.
http://home.freeuk.net/mattbarnard/juggling.html
Saturday November 20th 2010
Simon Munnery
Simon Munnery - Simon Munnery, also known by his stagenames of Alan Parker: Urban Warrior, and The League Against Tedium, is an English comedy writer and experimental standup comedian. He performs mainly to an alternative audience but has pierced the mainstream both with his BBC Radio 1 show in 1997 and his BBC2 television series Attention Scum! in 2001.
Munnery's experimental style is reflected in his on-stage appearance: his unfashionable glasses, homemade clothes (or clothes apparently donated to him by comedian Jeff Green), makeshift props, and dramatic facial hair. As 'The League' he often wears a hat crafted from a kettle, and one of his stand-up shows has a character who performs with a metal bucket over his head.
His stand-up is often satirical, often political and almost always surreal, his act also contains harmonica playing; his remarks are often quoted.
Brian and Krysstal
Brian & Krysstal - Brian & Krysstal, a unique comedy double act based in London. Blending music, deadpun comedy and silliness they have been working together on the London Comedy Circuit for the last seven years. They have performed in pubs, clubs and universities all over the UK and also Germany, Spain, South Africa, Australia, Gozo and Denmark.
After a very successful and highly enjoyable Edinburgh Festival 2007 they prepared a brand new joke for 2008. Not just comedians they are also musicians and available for comedy nights, cabaret shows, theme nights, company functions, weddings, funerals, in fact anywhere there is an audience in need of entertainment. Brian & Krysstal are no strangers to TV and radio - they have at least one in every room.
Right that’s the bullshit out of the way. In fact Brian is a tired miserable old hack who specialises in setting misery to music. Krysstal is his "glamorous assistant" in spite of all the evidence to the contrary Krysstal still has stars in her eyes and actually believes that there is hope. Tch!
Apparently some people think they’re quite funny. Unlike most comedians who were bullied at school - Brian was bullied at home.
Zigmund and Froyd
Zigmund and Froyd - In 1970 identical twins were born, to different fathers, in the small European principality of Chlamydia. Since then these magical siblings have been astounding the conjuring world with feats of miracle and mystery.
After their exhausting Millennium Spectacular in 2004 they took a break; partly for health reasons but also to fight charges of severe animal cruelty following their ‘Exploding Squirrels of Death’ illusion.
www.markmarkproductions.co.uk/zigmundandfroyd.php
Saturday October 23rd – Barnsley Civic Centre
- Venue: Barnsley Civic Centre - The Assembly Room
- Time: 7.30pm
- Adults: £12
- Concessions: £10
https://tickets.barnsleycivic.co.uk/public/show.asp
Kevin Brooking
Kevin Brooking – "Comedy Of Accidents" isn't just a one man clown show.
With the simplest of objects Kevin Brooking brings an entire universe to life. He uses mime circus skills, magic, and an uncanny connection with the audience to create funny, unforgettable theatre. It's a world where chaotic metal tubes play beautiful operetta, savage ducks attack the audience, and almost all babies hatch from eggs. It's a one-hour concert of life, death, and… carrots. Comedy of Accidents is known in different countries as Inside Out - Sans Dessous Dessus - Ondersteboven - Patas Arriba.
Before graduating from Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, American born Kevin Brooking worked as a circus clown in Canada, Mexico, USA England and at Germany's Circus Krone.
Kevin has trained pigs, swallowed swords, and his talented tongue was featured on BBC television. He is a founding member of circus - theatre company Mummeranddada (England) and was a prize winner at the 1985 Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris.
Lorraine Bowen
Lorraine Bowen - Lorraine is a fabulous singer, songwriter and performer! She creates unique performances where ever she goes and has played all over the world from Brighton to Berlin, Southend to Saskatoon!
Always willing to make particular evenings special, "Mary Poppins on Acid", "Something between Joyce Grenfell and Madonna" - all great quotes to describe the hilariously original Lorraine Bowen.
www.lorrainebowen.co.uk/Lorraine_Bowen/Home.html
Anna Abrams
Anna Abrams - Anna grew up in Germany and discovered her passion for the circus arts after her parents took her to her first circus show. She began training on the unicycle at 10.
Anna then moved to London to take up her place on the BA (Hons) Degree at the circus school "The Circus Space" (London). She spent three years training under the guidance of industry professionals.
Taking off your trousers on a unicycle seems impossible but in this act you can see it happen, on top combined with high level unicycle tricks at the same time.
Tap Dancing Turkeys
Tap Dancing Turkeys - The tap dancing turkeys present an absurd blend of vaudevillian rhythms and comic twitter, after extensive tours of the Norfolk breeding parties they have fluffed up their feathers to bring us a new collection of tap dance and turkey talk.
*This event will be held at Barnsley Civic Centre*
Friday October 22nd – Crookes Special Grin Up North Comedy Festival Show
Venue: Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Rd, Crookes
Kevin Brooking
Kevin Brooking - "Comedy Of Accidents" isn't just a one man clown show.
With the simplest of objects Kevin Brooking brings an entire universe to life. He uses mime circus skills, magic, and an uncanny connection with the audience to create funny, unforgettable theatre. It's a world where chaotic metal tubes play beautiful operetta, savage ducks attack the audience, and almost all babies hatch from eggs. It's a one-hour concert of life, death, and… carrots. Comedy of Accidents is known in different countries as Inside Out - Sans Dessous Dessus - Ondersteboven - Patas Arriba.
Before graduating from Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, American born Kevin Brooking worked as a circus clown in Canada, Mexico, USA England and at Germany's Circus Krone.
Kevin has trained pigs, swallowed swords, and his talented tongue was featured on BBC television. He is a founding member of circus - theatre company Mummeranddada (England) and was a prize winner at the 1985 Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris.
Lorraine Bowen
Lorraine Bowen - Lorraine is a fabulous singer, songwriter and performer! She creates unique performances where ever she goes and has played all over the world from Brighton to Berlin, Southend to Saskatoon!
Always willing to make particular evenings special, "Mary Poppins on Acid", "Something between Joyce Grenfell and Madonna" - all great quotes to describe the hilariously original Lorraine Bowen.
www.lorrainebowen.co.uk/Lorraine_Bowen/Home.html
Anna Abrams
Anna Abrams - Anna grew up in Germany and discovered her passion for the circus arts after her parents took her to her first circus show. She began training on the unicycle at 10.
Anna then moved to London to take up her place on the BA (Hons) Degree at the circus school "The Circus Space" (London). She spent three years training under the guidance of industry professionals.
Taking off your trousers on a unicycle seems impossible but in this act you can see it happen, on top combined with high level unicycle tricks at the same time.
The Cleaver Sisters
The Cleaver Sisters – Precious and Comfort Cleaver peer out of their odd lives, to sing songs that will enlighten our existence, with their unusual visions of love and sheep herding from the Cleaver farm-holding somewhere near Wath-on-Dern.
www.myspace.com/thecleaversisters
Tap Dancing Turkeys
Tap Dancing Turkeys - The tap dancing turkeys present an absurd blend of vaudevillian rhythms and comic twitter, after extensive tours of the Norfolk breeding parties they have fluffed up their feathers to bring us a new collection of tap dance and turkey talk.
*This event will be held at Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road*
Friday October 15th / Saturday October 16th – Walkley Grin Up North Comedy Festival Show
Steve Best
Steve Best - “He doesn't have a hat with bells on, but Steve Best still would have made a great medieval court jester. His act is a wonderfully daft succession of stupid props and silly pratfalls - a welcome break from straight stand-up. Best eats balloons, shits knotted hankies, does DIY dentistry and pumps up a blow-up doll while playing the theme tune from The Deer Hunter." - William Cook, The Guardian
"There pressure therefore falls on the last act, Steve Best, to redeem the night, and he rises magnificently to the occasion. coming across like a children's party entertainer from hell, he seems to be on a mission to squeeze every last laugh out of the crowd with his non-stop gaggery, magic tricks, sound effects, guitar playing, and wonderfully random zaniness. Comparisons with Tommy Cooper are a no-brainer, but Best captures the fervent energy and the utter bonkers hilarity of the late fez-wearing funnyman with aplomb, reinventing the bumbling magician act for the twenty first century with the aid of a blow-up sex doll and an Elvis mask" - Graham Hughes, BBC
"He stinks of fish" - Enid Blyton
Donald Grant
Donald Grant - One of the pioneers of contemporary diabolo performance, Donald Grant has been thrilling audiences all over the world for the last fifteen years. From the Arctic Circle to Kenya, from Las Vegas to New Zealand, his dazzling speed and silky skills have both enthralled and amazed.
Trained at the world-famous Ecole Nationale de Cirque in Montreal, his number has evolved over the years into a high tempo blend of manic manipulation with a healthy dash of Caledonian charm and wit.
From intimate cabaret stages to massive circus arenas, catwalks to grand hotels, his performance will add class and energy to any show or event.
http://donaldgrantdiabolo.wordpress.com/
Dennis Teeth
Dennis Teeth – Mr Dennis Teeth is a cutting edge virtuoso. Since 2001 his unusual talents have taken him all over the UK and Europe.
A veteran of numerous cabarets, festivals and intimate venues, Mr Teeth has delighted audiences with his fabulous Musical Saw and Ukulele playing. Dennis has played live on TV from Glastonbury Festival, was recently featured as an act on Graham Norton's "When Will I Be Famous?" on BBC 1 and has also appeared on popular variety show "The Slammer".
Recent appearances include a cabaret in the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the fabulous Whoopee Club, supporting talented wordsmith Ian Macmillan of radio 4 and playing with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (as principal saw player).
www.foolsparadise.co.uk/fools07html/dennis_teeth.html
Pippa the Ripper
Pippa The Ripper - Pippa the Ripper is a highly skilled hula-hoop artist and aerialist. With a background in musical theatre, a degree in circus arts and a black belt in charm, Pippa ‘the Ripper’ is a deadly crowd pleaser.
Pippa Coram was given the name ‘the Ripper’ because she has slain so many audiences. She is known as a serial killer of the circus and cabaret scene. From Berlin to Broadway Pippa’s left a trail of emotional devastation in her wake.
Now residing in London, Pippa is currently working with an award winning musical comedy act on a collaboration that will take her to New York in summer and Berlin in winter.
Saturday September 18th 2010
Madame Galina Korsakova
Madame Galina Korsakova - Madame Galina Korsakova is the prima ballerina absoluta of the Bolshoi, but actually, she's Lestyn Edwards, a burly Welsh bloke in a tutu! The thing about drag is that it works not because it's grotesque and incredible, but because there's something about the performer's en femme persona that's strangely plausible despite it all.
Edwards knows ballet and has more than a little skill, his physical build not withstanding, so when Madame Galina delivers her crash-course lecture to us, remarking, "I don't have the ideal body for ballet – my back is too long," it works!
Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers
Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers - With one foot in the old-time Music Hall knees up, one in inventive, creative new comedy and the other in the best party ever, Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers truly are a moustache-powered tuba cabaret marvel. Virtuosic piano, delicious drumming, twanging ukulele, astounding vocals and a tuba, rooting around at the back like a mother elephant, are brought together to beautiful effect by this fantastic quartet. No subject is beyond their grasp.
Their debut album, Interspecies Disco boasts songs on the wonders of cheese, the Martial Arts abilities of Elvis Presley and a celebration of everyone’s favourite crustacean, The Land Hermit Crab. There’s even advice on dealing with common garden pests.
They parody, they pastiche, they deconstruct, they rebuild. They take a panoply of styles and fashion them into new and surprising forms.
Dave Proctor
Dave Proctor - Dave Proctor is Sheffield’s leading manipulator of all things juggling. He is well known for his dog training and his love of Guinea pigs, but we don’t think he will be performing with any of his animal friends.
www.boneyfidodogs.co.uk/doggy.php
*Plus:* Moulin Rouge Acrobalance
Moulin Rouge Acrobalance
Saturday May 15th - Hot Jive 50’s Retro Night
Ticket price £14/£12
Carmen Ghia and the Hotrods
Hey cool cats and kittens! It’s everyone down hep cat alley for a rockin’ night of 50’s entertainment We strongly urge you to get with the beat and come in some special outfit… 50’s style please!
Carmen Ghia and the Hotrods - Rockin’ out of The Steel City, this stylish five piece rockabilly swing band boasts Sheffield’s finest skins, belly fiddles and pipes. Fronted by Miss Carmen – the foxiest chick straight outa the 50’s, and the hottest dame to ever handle a microphone.
This whole outfit is killer diller, and no messin’!
http://www.carmenghiahotrods.co.uk/
Christian Lee, Rock n Roll Magic - Draped in Zoot suit, and soaked in hot fingered sleight of hand.
Christian ’SHAKEY’ Lee brings his Happy Dayz one-man magic show. Extraordinary, avant-garde and yet ironic. Lee has got a lot to say and do, all in the name of pure entertainment.
“Reminiscent of Tommy Cooper, Vic Reeves, and Elvis, he’s not just a nutter with explosives to hand. Au contraire, he is the “king of comedy magic” Time Out
Dave Chameleon, Bell Boy – Let this comic bell boy whip up cocktails of delight. Discovering worlds inside the suitcases he carries as he races through scenes of comic invention. Everyday objects reveal new dimensions in this fast paced high skill presentation, don’t forget to thro’ him a tip.
A real crowd pleaser!
What more can we say…
Cabaret Special - Friday 30th April, Crookes Social Club
Tickets £14/12
Mundo Jazz
Nakupelle
Sara Lundstedt
Mundo Jazz, The Band – What can one say about a band whose songs convey the dangers of environmental degradation, the importance of racial harmony and the inherent evils of capitalism with subtlety and intelligence? One can say they are called Neil Young and Crazy Horse.
Mundo Jazz, however, preach peace, love and understanding with all the subtlety of a brick hitting butter, through their ridiculously catchy songs, awful dancing and thunderously crass philosophizing.
A beautifully subtle satire on the likes of Bono and Bob Geldof, Mundo Jazz are also superb musical and comic improvisers, frequently creating songs on the spot and veering off into spontaneous chaos. Worried about your carbon footprint? Don’t bother – you can buy one of theirs after the show!
"...combine genuinely thrilling harmonies and killer songs with side-splitting gags. Their solution to Third World debt is the best joke I’ve ever heard. Period.” The Times
" A sort of live, Latino Spinal Tap. Very, very, very funny.” Daily Express
"Ludicrously brave and truly unique. Kill for a ticket (but not with guns)!" The Scotsman
Nakupelle – Bon appetite! Quite simply one of Europes leading clown presents a show of mouth watering hilarity, strong bouffon clown mixed with acrobatics and food manipulation will delight and amuse. Its culinary slapstick, cunning, challenging and enchanting.
Sara Lundstedt - Growing up in Sweden at the age of five Sara Lundstedt joined the Ludvika Mini Circus. Since then she has been hooked and kept driving her parents mad doing cartwheels in the kitchen.
Sara is an experienced performer and has been working on a range of events and shows including; cabarets, cruise ships, theme parks, variety shows, ensemble shows and corporate events. She specialises in aerial hoop, and also performs other aerial disciplines and floor acrobatics.
Saturday 17th April 2010
George Egg
The Cloghoppers
Marvin Cheeseman
George Egg – Wildly brandishing the worlds second largest briefcase containing a battery of ridiculous props, George bounds onto the stage to perform one of the most original, interesting, innovative, and sweetly whimsical comedy performances you are ever likely to see.
He has been hailed as a “Tommy Cooper for the twenty first century” and comes armed with a giant briefcase, and a battery of props. Through tears of laughter you'll see why! George Egg conjures up a whole surreal comic world, combining bizarre stories and with hilarious real life observations to provide an unrivalled comic experience.
One of the most recognisable comics on the circuit, George is equally popular abroad where his visual style crosses many barriers. Indeed, he is a cult comic hero, has appeared on television, and has an extremely successful solo show with which he has toured in such diverse places Germany, Holland, Spain and the not always amusing Switzerland. George Egg has been true professional stand-up comedian, actor and writer for the last ten years.
“…a hugely entertaining variety turn" The Guardian
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/08/video-how-to-cook-a-meal-in-your-hotel-room-george-egg.html
The Cloghoppers - “The Biggest Little Show on Earth” Imagine a small intense intimate experience in a tent tall enough for big impressive tricks. A truly interactive show involving all the senses! This is a show the weather can not spoil. “The smallest banjo orchestra with circus tricks in the world” They can not only play extremely excellent bluegrass banjo, but can also juggle banjos on an extremely tall unicycle.
After many years practice they are some of the very few people in Europe that can perform the high level circus lasso tricks.
Marvin Cheeseman - Poet
CRAIG DAVID GETS FOOD POISONING
Did a roast chicken on Sunday
Loads of it left over on Monday
Had some with a salad on Tuesday
Fridge was on the blink on Wednesday
Chanced it in a curry on Thursday
I was throwing up on Friday
and Saturday
and Sunday...
Not to mention sh*tting through the eye of a needle…
http://www.marvincheeseman.com/
Saturday 20th March 2010
Martin Soan
Madame Laycock
Steve Faulkner
Martin Soan – Martin is a gag artist, but not your run of the mill stand up comedian. He amuses and amazes with extraordinary use of everyday objects including U-bends, head gaskets and electronic drills.
His unique style evokes genuine mirth and delight exercising all the laughter muscles from the belly, chest, throat and most prevailingly the head sending any audience away with a store of comic images which keeps them guffawing well into the middle of next week.
A teenage professor of Punch and Judy, to an adolescent Mr Looniverse; a young Time Out award winner, and now middle-aged Perrier Award winner nominee. Martin discards his accolades and defies definition as anything other than a master of prop comedy – Tommy Cooper on Acid.
His television appearances include: Chris Tarrant's OTT, Game for a Laugh, Blackadder, Cilla Black's Surprise! Surprise!, Jools Holland's The Tube, David Frost's Breakfast Telly and Jonathan Ross' Last Resort...
“A total lack of any sense, rhyme, or reason to the extent that the insignificance of this show completely escaped me... The funniest thing I have ever seen!” Clive James
Madame Laycock and her Dabeno Pleasures – The Madame is a formidable singer who sings like Liza Minnelli but with a voice louder and full of confidence. Imagine she had been possessed by demons, like cabaret meets the League of Gentleman.
The Dabeno Pleasures are three ladies, one of whom maybe a little shy and feels happier wearing a divers helmet, another dances inappropriately to things in a manner yet to be patented.
“Considerably more entertaining than James Blunt”
http://www.myspace.com/madamlaycockandherdabenopleasures
Steve Faulkner – Professionally he has danced for the Spice girls, done a human beat box for Richard and Judy, been kicked in the behind for Rory Bremner, unicycled for the Lord Mayor of London, warmed up thousands of people for the Rolling Stones, and opened the Arafura Games in Darwin. He has been directed by award winning French movie director Gilles Mimouney and renowned jazz composer Django Bates, and has performed his solo comedy shows with huge success globally.
Steve regularly performs his one man show on cruise liners worldwide. However, in the last 11 years Steve has concentrated all of his talents toward his true passion of magic and escapology.
Although a highly skilled sleight of hand artist Steve understands the importance on being entertaining as well as showing you some of the best in-front-of -your- face magic you will ever see.
Steve spent two years full time at England’s premier circus school, The Circus Space in London, and has been a regular at Covent Gardens famous West Piazza since 1997 with what has become one of the most successful street shows in the world. He is a past winner of the British Street Performing Championships.
Saturday 20th February 2010
Madame Galina Korsakova
Mik Artistik's Ego Trip
Sally Miller
Madame Galina Korsakova – the prima ballerina absoluta of the Bolshoi. But actually, she's Iestyn Edwards, a burly Welsh bloke in a tutu! The thing about drag is that it works not because it's grotesque and incredible, but because there's something about the performers en femme persona that's strangely plausible, despite it all.
Edwards knows ballet and has more than a little skill, his physical build not withstanding, so when Madame Galina delivers her crash-course lecture to us, remarking, "I don't have the ideal body for ballet – my back is too long," It works!
Mik Artistik's Ego Trip – Mik puffed his cheeks out and began...
A long time ago in Beeston, South Leeds, little Mickie Gallagher discovered the joy's of drawing cowboy's and spacemen and superhero's... no girls allowed!
After a turbulent career in insurance, oil and construction, Mik ended up where he should have gone in the first place – Bradford Art College. Then he left having played with ink, tape-recorders, punk and obscure Eastern European cigarettes.
Why am I telling you this? Because you asked. The surreal punk, funk, Catholic, electric comedy phenomenon that is Mik Artistik's ego trip
http://www.mikartistik.com/index.html
Sally Miller - Sally combines sensational talent and extraordinary ability to produce an act that shows off her remarkable flexibility and breathtaking balance, as well as beautiful fluidity and elegance.
She contorts her body into astounding shapes and positions, and can balance with terrific control and poise.
http://www.flexiprincess.co.uk/
Saturday 16th January 2010
Barbara Nice
Romany
The Cleaver Sisters
Mrs Barbara Nice – One of the best loved headliners we have ever had, and we are thrilled to bring her back once again. If you ain’t seen her yet then crack open the latest Take A Break and brace yourself for an uplifting experience with the Stockport-born mother of five, and lover of a bargain.
And that’s right, you did see her in Peter Kay’s ‘Pheonix Nights’.
http://www.mrsbarbaranice.co.uk/
Romany – The diva of magic fell in love with the art and studied with the masters of McBride's Mystery School and Masterclass in Las Vegas before making a hit on the cabaret and high society gala dinner circuit with her own brand of zany close-up magic.
Charismatic, very funny and fully at home on the stage – Romany now performs her own cabaret for discerning audiences around the world.
www.romanymagic.com The Cleaver Sisters – The promise of a new song or two, as well as some where you will know the words and can do the actions too! Our very own folked-up super stars
www.myspace.com/thecleaversisters
November 14th 2009
Earl Oakin
Swank
Kwabana Lindsay
Earl Oakin - Earl Okin is one of those rare performers... A true original!!! Genuinely versatile, his talents range from that of a fine Singer-Songwriter, (in styles ranging from chart orientated tracks to the classiest of Jazz-Standards, via authentic Bossa-Novas), to that of Pianist, Guitarist, world class Jazz-Singer, as well as his unique standing as ' Vocal Trumpeter, Trombonist and Clarinetist'. Added to all of this is his Humour, sophisticated and witty enough to have made him perhaps the leading music & Comedy act on the unforgiving London Alternative Comedy Circuit! www.earlokin.com
Swank - Be guided by “Val Keen” and “Babs Eager” as they lead the general public into riotous pack participation. Come and join these good time guides in their monstrously merry movement “Ging gang goolying”, or simply “Doing my Best”, everyone is a badge winner. http://www.foolsparadise.co.uk/fools07html/swank.html
Kwabana Lindsay - Kwabana Lindsay has performed all over the world, is an accomplished solo performer/musician and is also highly experienced in ensemble productions. www.kwabanalindsay.com/lisp/ilisp.php
Grin Up North Comedy Festival Special, 30th October 2009
Chris Lynam
Marcelo
Swizzleshaker
Bongo Bolero
Venue: Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Rd, Crookes
Our very best line up will be ONE unique night out!
Chris Lynam - The Beast of British Comedy! For a long time Chris Lynam has been one of the better kept secrets on the circuit not know for its ability to keep 'schtum'. A man of outrageous natural comic talent, Lynam has had to sit back and watch his contemporaries - the comic strippers and the rest - grab all the headlines and the glory while he has plied his trade on the streets and smaller clubs. The signs are there that Chris Lynam is about to become a, er .... big noise. www.chrislynam.net www.popcornclub.co.uk
Marcelo De Ramos - Marcelo de Ramos better known as Marcelo the Daredevil. He has an extremely dangerous job as a specialist stuntman. Some of his stunts include diving through hoops of razor sharp knives, somersaulting backwards over up to 6 people, piercing spikes through his body including the mouth, jumping from a great height onto real broken glass, hammering nails and screw drivers into the nose, dislocating his neck and the list goes on! His claim to fame was in the year 2000 when he was performing in the U.K. Nobody knows why , but he had this crazy idea that He was capable of somersaulting backwards over a car. www.marcelothedaredevil.com
Swizzleshaker - This charming and stylishly crafted variety show takes the audience back to a 1940's Hollywood cocktail bar. Two enigmatic performers create a theatrical story set to an atmospheric soundtrack. All action packed with highly skilled routines, comedy, magic and dance. www.swizzleshaker.com
Bongo Bolero - Fresh from their sold-out Vegas tour, these 2 seasoned performers are delighted to present a heady mix of glamour and danger that guarantees to leave their audience gasping. A comedy involving small hair attachments and very big egos. www.bongobolero.com
Plus our regular compères and DJ
Our shows have regularly sold out for four years and this special night promises to be much the same. Grab your tickets early, and as usual dressing up is encouraged.
This event will be held at Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road
Doors 8pm, show 8.30 till midnight
October 17th 2009
John Lenahan
Mundo Jazz
Slice and Dice
John Lenahan - John Lenahan came to Britain from his native Philadelphia for a short trip and has never quite made it back, and originally grabbed the headlines as the first person in 85 years to be expelled from the Magic Circle. The 3-card trick he exposed on How Do They Do That? is no more than a gambling con, but John took the rap and enjoyed the publicity. John Lenahan lives in Cricklewood, London, with his son and a collection of computers and gadgetry. In a world dominated by awards, he is proud to have once been voted Time Out Street Magician of the Year. www.johnlenahan.com
Mundo Jazz - What can one say about a band whose songs convey the dangers of environmental degradation, the importance of racial harmony and the inherent evils of capitalism with subtlety and intelligence? One can say they are called Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Mundo Jazz however preach peace, love and understanding with all the subtlety of a brick hitting butter, through their ridiculously catchy songs, awful dancing and thunderously crass philosophizing.
A beautifully subtle satire on the likes of Bono and Bob Geldof. Mundo Jazz are also superb musical and comic improvisers, frequently creating songs on the spot and veering off into spontaneous chaos. Worried about your carbon footprint? Don’t bother, you can buy one of theirs after the show. www.mundojazz.co.uk
Plus Skin and Blisters
September 19th 2009
Artizani
Lorraine Bowen
Steve Cousins
Artitzani - Syrovy enters and chaos rains down on him. Waterfalls of cutlery, ballet newspapers and bouncing ropes, an internationally acclaimed circus piece inspired by The Marx Brothers, WC Fields, etc... The full flavour of a silent movie. www.artizani.net
Lorraine Bowen - Lorraine Bowen is an international performer - once seen and heard, never forgotten! She’s UNIQUE! Playing her trusty Casio organ on its ironing board stand, dancing to original backing tracks, singing hits from her four albums, entertaining with hilarious surreal stories of her colon, bingo wings and burgers... She’ll have you in stitches in no time! www.lorrainebowen.co.uk
Steve Cousins - The Balloonatic is the man inside the balloon. Visual comedy at its most daftly sublime, the act has left a wake of belly laughs across the globe. One funny man, one giant balloon, one unique entertainment experience. www.stevecousins.net
May 16th 2009
Steve Rawlings
Les Vegas
Mr Niblo
…our end of season last night will be a party like never before.. Come dressed in your most glamorous outfits, as we close the run with one of the countries finest cabaret acts...
Steve Rawlings – Brings an audience to life with his unique blend of comedy character and technical ability. Whether juggling Ping-Pong balls with his mouth, setting his head on fire or flinging blazing torches, furniture, giant cartwheels and tenpin bowling balls in the air, this is an act that demands attention! He has appeared in over 60 television shows and performed all over the world, as well as in front of Her Majesty the Queen at a Royal Command Performance.
"A brisk, skilful act that will get your heart in your throat and give you more belly laughs than any comic - and that’s a rare treat!" The Sunday Times
Have a look on ‘you tube’ for his film clips. There are plenty of them.
Les Vegas and The International Playboys of Rhythm – 13 fabulous musicians play old classics and contemporary tunes in a swing style. They filled the dance floor when they played our cabaret back in the summer of 2006. Glitz and glamour will spill off the stage as will some of the band! Bring your dancing shoes. www.lesvegas.co.uk
Mr Niblo – Fresh from a season on the Swansea to Ilfracombe ferry, the Incredible Niblo brings you The Satsuma Safari, Chapatti Atlas, Modern Potato Sculptures and more. You name the animal, he’ll sculpt it. You name the country, he’ll eat it. Welsh comedy at its best.
April 18th 2009
Bongo Bolero
Mike Hancock
Ruff Daddy
Bongo Bolero – Fresh from their sold-out Vegas tour, these 2 seasoned performers are delighted to present a heady mix of glamour and danger that guarantees to leave their audience gasping. A comedy involving small hair attachments and very big egos. www.bongobolero.com
“Bongo Bolero brought the house down with their wonderfully clever adagio, making the difficult balances seem effortless…” The Stage
Mike Hancock – A gorgeous comic kaleidoscope of magic moments, live music, big tricks and audience fun including an astonishing act of levitation, an audience acted love story and a live song in enhanced falsetto. He also runs our ‘sister’ cabaret in Leeds/Hebden Bridge/Otley. www.cabaretheaven.co.uk or www.mikehancock.org.uk
Ruff Daddy – More drunk and moody than Punch and Judy, this bad ass puppet is strictly for adults only. Bad Mutha interrupts Ruff Daddy’s take on modern affairs to descend into family dysfunction, everything a puppet could do and more. Wright stuff puppets made an appearance on the last series of the Dragons Den, BBC2. www.thewrightstuff.co.uk
Plus Frankie Chalet – French accordion songstress
and The Great Versilli – Russian pole master
March 21st 2009
Woody ‘Riceman’ Muddy
AJ James
Les Femmes Fatal
Woody ‘Riceman’ Muddy – Woody takes the stage armed with a selection of LPs and CDs, and his trusted ‘Golden Hammer’. In a fury of ritualistic rice throwing he plays, then destroys each record in turn. But not before the audience cast their vote, should it get smashed? or sent to Record Heaven? www.dotcomedy.co.uk
“A breath of fresh lunacy” The Guardian
AJ James – Brings an unforgettable show with incredible feats of balance, acrobatics and martial arts, which have to be seen to be believed. His quick wittedness and memorable charm add to an exciting action packed set. www.entertrain.co.uk
"Spectacular!.. Gravity defying… Charm and wit combined with extreme agility!” The Sydney Morning Herald
Les Femmes Fatal – Millie is thwarted by her incompetent partner. Hopeless Mabel muddles through dangerious tricks that have the audiences laughing, smiling and looking on in amazement throughout. This is a stylish, witty act with characters that audiences really warm to. www.freneticengineering.co.uk/index.html
February 21st 2009
Stickleback Plasticus
The Curious Eyebrows
Ronald Arthur Dewhirst
Stickleback Plasticus – Ostracized by the world of competition ballroom due to an over enthusiastic technique, ex-champions Barry and Yvonne have become "Outlaws of the Dance Floors". Loved by people of all ages and nationalities, couple number 69 come equipped with a portable mirror ball and exquisite costumes. With a Rumba, a Samba and a Paso Doble like you have never seen before, Barry and Yvonne will dance anywhere, anytime, and with anybody. www.plasticus.freeserve.co.uk/
The Curious Eyebrows – Gentleman jugglers and purveyors of fine comedy. With over thirty years of juggling experience between them, these two comic fools will leave you giggling into your pints and gasping at their ball spinning, fast pace juggling and comedic timing. Back by popular demand! www.aurorascarnival.co.uk/curiouseyebrows.htm
Ronald Arthur Dewhirst – 10 years as Cabaret Heavens’ resident poet, Ronald is a master of the comic pause. Often navel gazing, he offers a refreshingly twisted view of life, both touching and hilarious.
Madame Zucchini – Theatre in a veg box, the legend continues….
January 17th 2009
Rory Motion
Herbie Treehead
Duo du Sol
Rory Motion – The last twenty years as a singer/songwriter, comedian, poet and tree impressionist have established Rory Motion as one of the most popular and innovative performers on the national circuit. Time Out has described Rory as "a post-Hippie comic" - which is how Rory describes Time Out. Rory headlined our very first cabaret night back in 2006. www.rorymotion.com
Herbie Treehead – One man entertainment centre, presents his off-the-wall, ridiculous physical comedy, playing out life’s fantasies with the help of the audience members and props from all walks of life. Let him take you on a small adventure into his wonderland of slapstick from a bygone era. www.dinosaurshow.co.uk
Duo du Sol – A charming and original piece from this performing couple, playing the rag doll to his ‘Tramp’ character. Stunning physical acrobalance. Recently appeared at Leeds City Varieties. www.calvero.neptune.com
Anna Abrams – Mind blowing female unicyclist all the way from Holland
Natalie Reckert – Gifted German hand balancer www.nataliereckert.co.uk
Saturday 15th November
Maximum six tickets per reservation, tickets £10, £8 cons Doors 8pm, show till midnight - Fully licensed bar.
Nakupelle
Two for Tea
Lush Bijou
Nakupelle - Masks and puppetry
Two for Tea - Magic circus theatre
Lush Bijou - Time travel songstress
Plus End of season surprises
Saturday 18th October
Maximum six tickets per reservation, tickets £10, £8 cons Doors 8pm, show till midnight - Fully licensed bar.
Les Bubb
George Fuller
Mysti Valentine
Les Bubb - Top notch physical comedy
George Fuller - Slack rope fool
Mysti Valentine - Diva with a difference
Plus Side show attractions
Friday and Saturday 10th and 11th October 2008 - Comedy Festival Specials
All tickets £12, available from Jacks Records - Fully licensed bar.
Friday 10th - Doors 7.30pm, show starts 8pm
Saturday 11th - Doors 8pm, show starts 8.30pm
Helen Kane
John Hick
Goronwy Thom
Helen Kane - Homage to Marilyn Monroe
John Hick - Performance painter
Goronwy Thom - Juggler and racounteur
Grin Up North Comedy Specials - see press for details
Saturday 20th September 2008
Marcelo
Mandy Muden
Betty Brawn
Marcelo - Daredevil acrobat
Mandy Muden - Magician and mind reader
Betty Brawn - Australian strong woman
Plus La Belle Madelene and Sophia De La Soft-Spot
Saturday July 5th 2008
- during Walkley Festival
The night will feature 70's retro band SpaceHopper
Complete with outfits and projections, the delightfully stupid Trevor Organ's cracking spinning plates show & Madame Zuccini.
Maynard Flip Flap, Mr Herbert and Stewart Lodge will add their own sprinkling of stunts, jokes and songs.
Saturday March 15th 2008 - Speakeasy Special!
£10, £8 concessions. Doors 8:00pm-12:00am - Fully licensed bar.
Speakeasy special - free prohibition drinks for fancy dress!
Bees Knees
Matt Barnard
The Dizzy Club
Bees Knees - Fabulous dance duo
Matt Barnard - Vaudevillian manipulator
The Dizzy Club - Hot dance jazz band
Plus - Raspinelli and Rougan
Saturday February 16th 2008
£10, £8 concessions. Doors 8:00pm-12:00am - Fully licensed bar.
Dennis Teeth
Frazer Hooper
Bruce Airhead
Dennis Teeth - Sensational saw virtuoso
Frazer Hooper - Hilarious silent fool
Bruce Airhead - One man, one large balloon
Plus - The Cleaver Sisters
Saturday January 19th 2008
John Hick
Jem Famous
Mik Artistic
John Hick - Performance painter
Jem Famous - Witty circus trickster
Mik Artistic - Musical poet
Plus - Ministry of Manipulation
Saturday April 19th 2008
£10, £8 concessions. Doors 8:00pm-12:00am - Fully licensed bar.
Ronald Arthur Dewhirst
The Amazing Mr Smith
Kevin Brooking
Ronald Arthur Dewhirst - Poet and raconteur
The Amazing Mr Smith - Mad musical comedian
Kevin Brooking - International clown
Plus - The talented Tim Foolery
