Event Type : Comedy

The first event of our new season of Comedy will be kicked off in style with a double headline show featuring Rich Hall and Suzi Ruffell, alongside MC Thomas Green.

Rich Hall

Rich Hall’s critically acclaimed grouchy, deadpan style has established him as a master of absurdist irony and the king of rapid-fire wit. The award-winning Montana native is renowned for his expertly crafted tirades and quick-fire banter with audiences. This is a comedian whose plain spoken growling indignation and acerbic observations have an unerring talent for hitting his targets with precision every time, leaving his audience hanging on every word winning him fans all over the globe. Hall has been described as a transatlantic messenger lampooning each country he visits with his common sense, and he is no less harsh to his homeland.

Rich is well known in the United States for appearing and writing on The David Letterman Show (1982-84) – for which he won two Emmy Awards. He was a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live for the 1984 – 1985 season and he appeared a few times on Late Night with Conan O’Brien between 1994 and 2004. He was also a regular on Not Necessarily the News from 1982 -1990 and his famous ‘sniglets’ segment was eventually compiled into two books.In 1998, Rich Hall created the character Otis Lee Crenshaw, a redneck jailbird from Tennessee, who has been married seven times, all to women named Brenda. A singer-songwriter, Otis writes bourbon-soaked, Tom Waitsian tunes and blends this with audience banter, producing a perfect fusion of music and comedy. Otis Lee Crenshaw charmed sell-out audiences each year at the Edinburgh Festival, throughout the UK, at comedy festivals in Australia including Adelaide and Melbourne and at London’s famous Comedy Store, where he had a monthly slot for six months. At the Edinburgh Festival 2000, Rich Hall as Otis Lee Crenshaw won the highly prestigious Perrier Award.Rich Hall has always included music in his shows since the Otis Lee Crenshaw days and in 2010 he began bringing his talented band of musicians with him to Edinburgh, London, and everywhere in between for a mash up of music and comedy in his distinctive Hoedown show.Rich has written and presented his own TV shows in the UK, in particular a number of documentaries for BBC Four: How the West Was Lost (2008), Rich Hall’s Dirty South (2010), Rich Hall’s Continental Drifters (2011), Rich Hall’s Inventing the Indian (2012), Rich Hall’s You Can Go To Hell, I’m Going To Texas (2013), Rich Hall’s California Stars (2014), Rich Hall’s Presidential Grudge Match (2016), Rich Hall’s (US Election) Breakdown (ongoing) and most recently Rich Hall’s Countrier Than You (2017) and Rich Hall’s Red Menace (2019).He also wrote and starred in the TV shows Rich Hall’s Cattle Drive (2006), Rich Hall’s Election Special (2004), Rich Hall’s Badly Funded Think Tank (2001) and Rich Hall’s Fishing Show with Mike Wilmot in 2003. His other UK TV credits include Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, QI, Live At The Apollo, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Stand Up For The Week, Comedy Gala Live At The O2, Stand Up For The Week, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Jack Dee’s Sunday Service and Edinburgh Nights.Other strings to his bow include being the inspiration behind Matt Groening’s character Moe Szyslak from The Simpsons as well as being an accomplished author, having released three books: Magnificent Bastards, Otis Lee Crenshaw: I Blame Society and Things Snowball, all released by Abacus Books, as well as penning articles for The Guardian and The Sunday Times. Hall has also released two very successful stand-up DVD’s in 2001 and 2009 through Universal Pictures UK.

Suzi Ruffell

The working-class comedian of her generation, Suzi Ruffell has had five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival racking up critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike.In 2018 Ruffell recorded and released her show Keeping It Classy for Live From The BBC, with a clip gaining over 32 million views on Facebook.Suzi is best known for her appearances on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, The Jonathan Ross Show, Roast Battle, Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier, Hypothetical, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, The Comedy Bus, Stand Up Central, Harry Hill’s ClubNite and Suzi Ruffell Live From The Comedy Store.A regular on BBC Radio 4 shows including The News Quiz and The Now Show, Ruffell also co-hosts the hit podcast Like Minded Friends with Tom Allen. 2020 sees Suzi hosting a brand-new radio show on BBC Radio 2 called Explicable Me as well as launching her own podcast series, OUT with Suzi Ruffell, which celebrates the lives of LGBT+ people and ‘coming out’ through interviews with star studded guests.Suzi is due to continue her UK tour of Dance Like Everyone’s Watching which was in the top ten best reviewed shows of the Edinburgh Festival in 2019.

Thomas Green – MC

Beginning his career by selling out his 2012 debut solo at the Adelaide Fringe, followed up by a Best Emerging Comedy nomination, it’s safe to safe Thomas Green has only gone from strength to strength on the international comedy circuit.It has seen him selling out shows at the Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe. His knack for crowd-work and improvisation has seen him become a highly regarded MC gaining him a Best MC Award nomination in 2018.Thomas’s engaging story telling, electric stage presence and hilarious characterisations has him being regularly sought after at high profile clubs such as: The Comedy Store, The Glee, Hot Water Comedy, Off The Kerb, Just The Tonic, Top Secret Comedy, Komedia, Punch Drunk & The Frog and Bucket.His effervescent charisma has seen him grace the comedy stages of some of the UK’s favourite music festivals including: Download, Wilderness, Y-Not and Tramlines Fest.At the start of 2020, Thomas worked as tour support for Jason Manford and during the covid pandemic helped launch the start of Garden Gigs UK.

Doors/Bar: 7pm | show starts: 8pm

Please note: this show may not be suitable for children.

Booking correct at time of publication, however, due to the ongoing Covid situation, changes may occur. Refunds will be available.

Parsons, best known for his role on BBC 2’s Mock The Week, has also performed on numerous radio and TV shows including Live at the Apollo, QI, The Stand-Up Show, The Comedy Store and They Think It’s All Over to name but a few. He is also one of the main writers of the groundbreaking Spitting Image.
After a change in career, Angela Barnes embarked on her life-long dream to be a comedian, quickly establishing herself on the circuit and starring in programmes such as BBC 2’s Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo and Hypothetical on Dave. Recently Angela took over hosting duties of BBC Radio 4’s iconic The News Quiz, hosting the full spring series to huge success.
Compere for the evening is Liam Withnail, current title holder of ‘Best MC’ (Scottish Comedy Awards), due to his ability to “effortlessly smash an atmosphere into any room”.

Jason Byrne

The biggest selling comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Jason Byrne’s inspired, original brand of intelligent lunacy ensures that there is no other comedian like him and his sell out shows have attracted accolades including the highly coveted Perrier Newcomer Award Nomination and the Perrier Award Nomination.

His TV credits include Live at the Apollo (BBC One), Comedy Annual (ITV1), Dave’s One Night Stand (Dave), The Channel 4 Comedy Gala (Channel 4), John Bishop’s Only Joking (Sky One) and Anonymous (RTE2).

Jason’s radio credits include Just A Minute (BBC Radio 4), And The Winner Is…(BBC Radio 2) and of course, Father Figure (BBC2). He has also hosted three series’ of The Jason Byrne Show (BBC Radio 2), for which he won the Sony Radio Gold Award for Best Comedy in 2011.

Keith Farnan

Formerly a solicitor on Death Row, Keith Farnan began his career in Ireland, where he quickly reached headliner status at The Laughter Lounge in Dublin. He shortly after made the leap to move to London, rapidly became a household name in Comedy Clubs around the UK.

Keith is currently in high demand at all major clubs and festivals. With an impressive array of TV appearances, Guernsey audiences will also remember him from the St James Comedy Club in 2019.

Lou Conran

Cheeky, quick off the mark and side achingly funny, Lou Conran is renowned on the international comedy circuit for her compère skills, as well as being a favourite support for the likes of Sarah Millican and Joe Lycett.

Simon Evans

Simon is one of the UK’s most respected and established comedians. He is a regular on TV and radio and particularly popular on the corporate and after dinner circuit. His TV credits include BBC One’s Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, BBC Two’s Mock the Week and was a regular on Channel 4’s Stand Up for the Week.Simon’s BBC Radio 4 series Simon Evans Goes to Market has audiences delighting in his witty and insightful take on the unpromising comic territory of commodities, trading and wealth. Other BBC Radio 4 appearances include the The News Quiz, The Unbelievable Truth and Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive.Simon is the only comedian to have appeared on both University Challenge: The Professionals, and Celebrity Mastermind (which he won – specialist subject Sir Ernest Shackleton). Simon has also recently appeared on This Week and Question Time.His live tour shows such as Leashed and Genius have sold out theatres around the country and garnered superlative reviews from national and comedy press. Dominic Maxwell described him as ‘demonically dry’, William Cook as ‘sublime’, and Chortle as ‘an evil delight’

Russell Kane

Multi-award-winning comedian, presenter, actor, author and scriptwriter Russell Kane is best known for the BBC Sounds podcast, Evil Genius which has become a flagship show and was the best performing original podcast on the platform. Russell’s other podcast Boy’s Don’t Cry also features regularly on the iTunes top charts for listened to podcasts and will return with a new series later this year.Recent TV appearances include The Apprentice You’re Fired, The One Show, Antiques Roadtrip, Stupid Man, Smart Phone and the host of three series of Live At The Electric. Other TV appearances include Live At The Apollo, Unzipped, Celebrity Juice and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here Now.Winner of Best Show in 2010 at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Russell went on to make history as the first comedian to win both the Edinburgh Comedy Award and Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Barry Award in one year.Following the success of his sell-out tour throughout UK and Ireland, Russell has extended The Fast and The Curious far into 2020. As ever, Russell also continues to provide his ever-popular topical online Kaneings.

Host: tbc

Doors/Bar: 7pm | show starts: 8pm

Please note: this show may not be suitable for children.

Reginald D Hunter

Since his first UK comedy gig twenty-one years ago Georgia-born Reginald D Hunter’s searingly honest observations both onstage and on TV and Radio have garnered him a cross-generational fan base.During that time he has become one of the Comedy industry’s best-known performers for his distinctive take on the most diverse range of subjects. His work can be brutally honest and is often considered to be controversial but it is always meticulously thought out and he has never been afraid to face challenging issues head on even when the focus is on his own principles or beliefs.He reached the final of So You Think You Are Funny in 1998 during his first visit to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and was nominated for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer in 2002 for his debut full-length show I Am What I Am. He was then nominated for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards main prize in 2003 for White Woman and 2004 for A Mystery Wrapped In A Nigga.His TV appearances have included Never Mind The Buzzcocks, QI and Have I Got News For You? He also filmed two series of the BBC2’s hugely popular Reginald D Hunter’s Songs Of The South & Reginald D Hunter’s Songs of The Border, documenting Reginald’s epic road trip through 150 years of American popular song.Reginald regularly tours the UK and Ireland and he has been seen by audiences around the world from America to Australia.

Glenn Wool

Glenn began his comedy career in his hometown of Vancouver in 1995… Made the move to London in 1998 and quickly became one of the rising stars, and household names on the UK & European comedy circuits. He has toured all over the world including: Australia, New Zealand, USA, South Africa, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Arabia & Asia (to name a few!) Winning over audiences globally and a TV favourite on the Melbourne, Sydney & New Zealand International Comedy Galas. Glenn was nominated for Best International Act at the New Zealand Comedy Awards and was twice nominated as Best Headliner at the Chortle Awards.His impressive array of TV credits include John Oliver’s ‘New York Stand-Up Show’ as well as appearances on: The Green Room with Paul Provenza, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Russell Howard’s Good News! Glenn was a highlight on The John Bishop Show (BBC1) and hosted a new NBC series Before the Morning After. Would have heard him alongside his co-host Frankie Boyle on their podcast Freestyle. As a guest on The Richard Herring Podcast and seen him on Doug Stanhope’s The Comedians’ Comedian’s Comedians (SeeSo), which was recorded at SXSW!“Seeing Glenn Wool perform should be made compulsory for the melancholy. There’s no way you won’t feel a bit better about the world afterwards. Lethally funny” – MetroMost recently Glenn has been touring with Reginald D Hunter and is also a favourite opener for the likes of Doug Stanhope and Frankie Boyle!When he is not on the road he is a popular addition to many of the UK music festivals comedy stages including: Reading & Leeds, Bestival, Download, Sonisphere & Glastonbury! Glenn has also been lending his voice along with Katherine Ryan (Netflix & Live At The Apollo) to the BAFTA award-winning Lottie Bearshout: Good as Goaled – for Disney XD!In recent years Glenn has dominated the international comedy circuit, performing to huge crowds in Holland, Singapore, Dubai, Cape Town, Melbourne, Montreal, LA, New York, Auckland and Sydney.

Matt Reed (MC)

Amicable as he is quick witted, Matt Reed is in great demand as a headliner and host for club nights, festivals and corporates around the country. “Reason alone to attend a comedy night is having Matt Reed as MC! – BBC NewcastleMatt was a finalist in the Daily Telegraph Award in 2002 alongside Mark Watson and Gary Delaney. He has reached the semi-finals of the BBC New Comedy Award and the So You Think You’re Funny Awards. He was also a finalist in the industry-selected Leicester New Act of the Year Award. Having deservedly earning himself the reputation of being an excellent hot ticket live performer, you’ll be on the edge of your seat if you are fortunate enough to see him skilfully destroy any heckler that may cross his path.

”Brilliant, always original…one of the newest stars of comedy…the finest compere I’ve seen in a long time” – The Leeds GuideMatt has been a favourite tour support for the likes of Jim Jefferies, Sean Lock and Jason Manford. Most recently he has been supporting John Bishop (Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, The Royal Variety Show, Live at The Apollo) to huge success.

Doors/Bar: 7pm | show starts: 8pm

Please note: this show may not be suitable for children.