Comical
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The South West's Home of Comedy
WHAT'S ON
MARK THOMAS - Gaffa Tapes
8.00pm Friday 6 December 2024 Levinsky Theatre, University of Plymouth
8.00pm Saturday 7 December 2024 Launceston Town Hall
Jokes, rants, politics, play and the occasional sing song.
If you don’t know what he does ask your parents.
In his time he has won awards (current total is now officially ‘fuckloads’), forced a politician to resign, changed laws on tax and protest, become Guinness Book of Records world record holder for number of protests in 24 hours, taken the police to court 3 times and won, walked the length of the Israeli Wall in the West Bank and generally mucked about trying to have fun and fuck the right people off.
This show is more of the above.
“You’ll leave recommitted to the fight against this appalling authoritarian government, to keep that tradition alive.” Guardian 2021
Age Guidance 16+
MILTON JONES - HA!MILTON
7.30pm Saturday 14 December 2024 Main Hall, University of Plymouth
This is not a musical. Milton Jones is tone deaf and has no sense of rhythm, but at least he doesn’t make a song and dance about it.
He has more important things to discuss. Like giraffes…and there’s a bit about tomatoes.
You might know him from Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo or Radio 4. Or that time he stood for the Scottish National Party, fought a hard campaign, but in the end had to respect the wishes of the people of Cardiff.
A whole new show of daftness. You know it makes sense.
WARNING
*contains jokes from the start.
“He’s fast, absurd and very Funny” Radio Times
‘No-one can touch Jones when he hits his stride’ The Guardian
ANDY ZALTZMAN - The Zaltgeist
7.30pm Friday 31 January 2025 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
7.30pm Saturday 1 February 2025 Main Hall, University of Plymouth
With the 3rd millennium almost 2.5% complete, Andy Zaltzman, one of the UK's leading satirical comedians, assesses the state of Planet Earth and its most famous and controversial species – the human race.
In the biggest stand-up tour of his career, Andy will attempt to concoct vaguely plausible answers to perennial questions such as What?, Who?, Where?, and above all Why?
As chair of The News Quiz since 2020, Andy has brought his inventive brand of satirical comedy to BBC Radio 4's long-running flagship topical comedy show, earning the show multiple awards, critical acclaim and a growing listenership.
Andy has hosted The Bugle, one of the world's longest-running and best-loved comedy podcasts, since 2007 (alongside John Oliver until 2015, and with numerous co-hosts from numerous continents since 2016). Renowned for its unique cocktail of up-to-the-minute global satire and premium-grade hogwash, and listened to by hundreds of thousands around the world, The Bugle recently passed the 600-episode mark, and has clocked up around 100 million total downloads.
Andy is unquestionably amongst the very best of the one-person list of Satirical Stand-Up Comedians Who Are Also Professional Cricket Statisticians. Since 2016, he has been a key member of the Test Match Special team, adding his distinctive blend of knowledge, expertise, humour and numerical inquisitiveness to the BBC's legendary cricket broadcast.
He has toured in the USA, India and Australia, wrote a book about the 2008 economic crisis, and will be appearing in series 18 of Taskmaster in Autumn 2024.
“outright hilarious… beautifully formed.”
Dominic Maxwell, The Times ★★★★
“Andy Zaltzman has revitalised the News Quiz… fizzes with a vitality and sense of fun that’s rare in such topical comedy warhorses.”
Steve Bennett, Chortle
“The Bugle: Silliness and laughter…Zaltzman is a sharp writer and an excellent satirist who combines political observation with daft whimsy.”
Fiona Sturges, Financial Times
JAKE LAMBERT - The Sunshine Kid
8.00pm Friday 14 February 2025 The Woolwell Centre, Plymouth
Jake Lambert is going on his first national tour. Described as "A joke machine" by The Telegraph, the show will see the comedian talk about trying to navigate his way through everyday life, why he has a fear of being normal, and asking why we all feel the need to ask strangers what breed their dogs are.
It seems the perfect time for his first tour too; his online videos have gained over 150million views, he has been supporting Michael McIntyre on his worldwide tour and he will be appearing on the next series of Live at the Apollo.
★★★★★ "...pure brilliance from start to finish" - London Theatre 1
★★★★★ “An absolute must-see” - RGM
★★★★- "A joke machine" - The Telegraph
★★★★ "A great storyteller" - The Arts Desk
★★★★ "Winningly self-deprecating" – Chortle
★★★★ “All the ingredients are there to make Jake Lambert a household name” - ITalkTelly
★★★★ "Catalyses laughter that cannot be contained" - Fest Magazine
STRICTLY 14+ Likely to be swearing and adult content
Twitter: @jakelambertcom
Facebook: @jakelambertcomedy
Instagram: @jakelambertcomedy
CLINTON BAPTISTE - Roller Ghoster!
7.30pm Thursday 20 February 2025 Launceston Town Hall, Launceston
Solo again, Britain’s most celebrated clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay’s ‘Phoenix Nights’ returns with his brand new hilarious one-man stand up show.
As well as venturing into the audience to offer his unique spirit readings, Clinton Baptiste comes armed with more tales from his extraordinary childhood; exposing himself in ways you could never imagine -the family that shaped him, the narrow minded who doubted him and the lovers that left him. He regales us with stories of his recent work on a cruise ship, his spirit readings round the UK and not to mention the day to day life with his Greenlandic spirit guide, Taruak.
Brace yourselves - Clinton will prove his mystical ability once and for all. This time, he guarantees you WILL believe!*
*No actual money back if you don’t. It’s not really a legal ‘guarantee’ as such. Look, it’s just an expression, okay?
Laugh, gasp, scream your head off…but whatever you do….strap in and hold tight as Clinton takes you on a rip-roaring ride through the twists and turns of his heady life.
The premier hands- on clairvoyant, medium and a psychic, Clinton is renowned as Britain’s foremost ‘can-do’ guru.
The self styled 'Can-guru'*
(*not kangaroo.)
Guidance 14+
@realclintonb
SHAUN RYDER - Happy Mondays and Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays
7.30pm Wednesday 5 March 2025, The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
He’s the wild man of rock who became a national treasure. Happy Mondays and Black Grape frontman Shaun Ryder is hitting the road for a new, spoken word tour. The star of more-TV-shows-than-anyone-has-a-right-to-feature-on – including Celebrity Gogglebox, and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, among many others – redefined the sex’n’drugs’n’rock’n’roll lifestyle during the halcyon age of Madchester. He’s touring in support of his new book: Happy Mondays - and Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays. Fans can look forward to a carnival of excess, wild tales, and improbable truths, as they enjoy the talents of a unique rock'n'roll star dubbed Britpop's answer to WB Yeats. Strap yourselves in and say Hallelujah for Shaun.
Guidance 14+
ED BYRNE - Tragedy Plus Time
7.30pm Wednesday 19 March 2025, Launceston Town Hall
7.30pm Saturday 22 March 2025, 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:
★★★★★ “Hilarious, extremely dark, profoundly touching and resolutely unsentimental. Ed Byrne has plumbed the very depths of his soul and found something verging on greatness" ROLLING STONE (2023)
★★★★★ “This is no misery memoir, Byrne is too talented a comic for that”
THE ARTS DESK
★★★★★ “Poignant, touching, spiky and laugh-out-loud funny… beautifully written and flawlessly performed ” EDINBURGH REVIEWS (2023)
★★★★★ “he has delivered a fantastically funny and moving monologue where there is no doubt that we are seeing the authentic Ed….Byrne has hit new heights” LONDON EVENING STANDARD (2023)
★★★★★"A full range of human emotions, from rage to dark humour to poignancy and back again, is felt during this magnificent comedy hour" LONDON THEATRE 1 (2023)
★★★★★"Side-splitting... Byrne is comedy gold" THEATRE & ARTS REVIEWS
★★★★★ "A fierce tribute... tremendously funny, thoughtful and fond " FEST MAG
★★★★★ "Moments switch from dark humour to tear jerking observations... he manages to make dying and death very funny" DAILY BUSINESS GROUP
★★★★★ "Touching and inspiring, yes, but funny above all else " CHORTLE
★★★★★ "Ed Byrne breaks the five-star rating system to the point where multiples of stars could be added to this review and it will still not be close enough to what he deserves for this show. Nobody is performing or writing stand-up comedy like Ed Byrne... Byrne deserves to get a standing ovation every night for Tragedy Plus Time" BROADWAYBABY
★★★★★"Masterful... a must-see performance that is both hilarious and deeply moving" ENTERTAINMENT NOW
★★★★★ "An unexpected rollercoaster of emotions, with joyous high points. An absolute master of observational comedy…. Very funny indeed!" NORTH WEST END UK ula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs.
Reviews:
Guidance 14+
KERRY GODLIMAN - Bandwidth
7.30pm Friday 21 March 2025, The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
While parenting teenagers, bogged down with knicker admin and considering dealing HRT on the black market, Kerry's lost her mum bag but can’t remember what was in it as she’s outsourced her memory to her phone. The life of a middle aged woman who hasn't got the bandwidth for any of this.
Kerry Godliman, comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and broadcaster, returns to the stage with her straight-talking charm and quick wit on a brand new stand-up show. As seen on Afterlife, Whitstable Pearl, Taskmaster, Trigger Point, Live At The Apollo and more. As heard on Radio 4 and Jon Richardson’s Absolute Radio Show.
“Vigour, charm and plenty good gags.” The Guardian
“Some sublime culture clash material.” **** Evening Standard
LOU SANDERS - No Kissing in the Bingo Hall
8.00pm Thursday 24 April 2025, The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
A show about being human-can you relate???
Just like Tom Cruise does all his own stunts, I'm going to do all my own jokes!
A deep, dumb show for the masses.
Star of Dancing On Ice (ITV), champion of Taskmaster (Channel 4), co-host of Mel Giedroyc's Unforgivable (Dave), regular on QI (BBC) and as seen on The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS) and Would I Lie To You? (BBC)
Guidance 16+
ALFIE MOORE - A Face for Radio
7.30pm Saturday 26 April 2025, The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
Somewhere in a parallel universe little Alfie’s natural comedic performance skills were recognised by his doting parents who encouraged and developed his blossoming talent. After several years as a stage school brat Alfie’s angelic face was launched on stage and screen and the rest is history.
Meanwhile, in this universe Alfie Moore was told to stop messing about in class before being ‘encouraged’ into the grinding, grimy world of an apprenticeship in the Sheffield steelworks. When recession hit he traded steel for copper by joining Humberside Police.
Thirty years of shift-work, initially in the Sheffield steelworks and then as a copper on the beat (where he was punched in the face quite a lot), has left him with ‘a face for radio’. A face not so much ‘lived in’ as inhabited by a settlement of squatters with little regard to property maintenance and repair.
In his 40s a surprising career shift turned middle-aged Alfie from street cop to BBC radio star. But when TV fame beckoned could he grasp it or was he past it?
“…offbeat, revealing and very funny” You Magazine
“…thoroughly engaging, endlessly funny. His charisma shines through as bright and colourful as a twirling blue light. Mature Times
HENRY COLE An Evening With... Hosted by Steve Parrish
7.30pm Thursday 15 May 2025, Launceston Town Hall
Henry will be taking a break in between his busy schedule to bring to provincial theatres his “An Evening with Henry Cole- Happy Days” theatre show hosted by his good friend and renowned prankster Steve “Stavros” Parrish.
He is currently on TV presenting The World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides (Discovery Quest), The Motorbike Show (ITV4), Shed and Buried (Discovery Quest), Find It, Fix It, Flog It (Channel 4), Find It, Fix It, Drive It (More4), Junk & Disorderly (ITV4) and The Great British Treasure Hunt (ITV4).
Steve will guide Henry through his incredible varied life covering stories about Henry’s battle with Heroin addiction between the ages of 19 and 24. He is now three decades clean but
remains heavily involved in trying to help other addicts and share his experience in battling addiction. Directing TV and Theatrical movies, including Mad Dogs and Englishmen starring Elizabeth Hurley.
In 2013 Henry set a world land speed record for a pre-1955 750cc motorcycle, riding a Brough Superior and Gladstone on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Henry has directed over 70 TV commercials As well as television presenting, Henry owns HCA Entertainment, the television production company,
Along with motorcycles Henry is passionate about fishing, classic tractors, cycling and most importantly his dog Jelly Bean, wife Janie and his two sons, Charlie and Tom! If that’s not enough to entertain you then throw in host Steve Parrish, former British Motorcycling champion. Team mate to Barry Sheene. He holds five European Truck racing titles. He was a BBC commentator for Motor GP. Pundit for Eurosport’s, World Superbikes, British Superbikes and covering TT & Classic TT races.
GEORGE LEWIS - The Best Thing You'll Ever Do
8.00pm Wednesday 21 May 2025 The Woolwell Centre, Plymouth
Described as ‘the funniest dad on Instagram’, stand-up comedian George has racked up hundreds of millions of views for his hilarious online sketches about the big things in life, like owning an air fryer, watching a David Beckham documentary, and the excruciating experience of trying to do a jigsaw with your kid.
Now he’s bringing his brand new stand up show to the stage. It won’t just be about parenting though, because he has done loads this year. He’s bought a new hoover, watched some more stuff on Netflix… loads.
Between #makingmemories with his kids, George has also appeared on The Stand Up Sketch Show and Comedy Central Live, written a best selling book (Don’t Panic! All the stuff the expectant dad needs to know) and has supported Romesh Ranganathan, Tom Allen, Russell Kane and Josh Widdicombe on their national tours.
So, activate the parents’ whatsapp groups, dump the kids with whoever is willing to have them, and join George for a brilliant night out.
STRICTLY 14+ Likely to be swearing and adult content
Twitter: @georgelewiscom
Facebook: @georgelewiscom
Instagram: @georgelewiscom
TikTok: @georgelewiscomedian
MARK STEEL - The Leopard in My House
8.00pm Friday 23 May 2025 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
8.00pm Saturday 24 May 2025 Launceston Town Hall
"The consultant had told me he was confident I had throat cancer that had spread into the lymph glands. Joyfully, I held his hand, and looked up to the heavens like a South American footballer after scoring a goal. It was one of the happiest moments of my life."
Join multi award-winning, BAFTA-nominated writer and comedian Mark Steel for his new tour ‘The Leopard in My House’. The topic? His battle with throat cancer. A battle he is winning (thankfully) and which only his rapier wit could fashion a comedy tour show out of. Cancer has done nothing to dull Mark's acute political observations or quash his "frankly bonkers" energy: you will laugh, you will cry, but you'll laugh again, and again, and again. The Leopard in My House is proof that this leftie, working-class, Radio 4 favourite truly deserves his place in the UK comedy pantheon.
Mark Steel is best known for his critically-acclaimed BBC Radio 4 show Mark Steel’s in Town (now in its 13th series), as well as his hit podcast What The F*** Is Going On…?. He has presented the BAFTA-nominated Mark Steel Lectures for BBC Two, and is a regular on BBC One’s Have I Got News for You and BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz. He has also written several acclaimed books, including an adaptation of his critically acclaimed stand-up show Who Do I Think I Am? for Audible.
STRICTLY 14+ Likely to be swearing and adult content
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE - Vitruvian Mango
7.30pm Wednesday 4 June 2025 Launceston Town Hall
7.30pm Saturday 7 June 2025 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
What are men for? Most heavy things can be lifted by machines and most problems can be solved by computers and most puddles can be crossed without us gallantly draping our capes over them - so are we fellas of any use at all? Award winning MAN Marcus Brigstocke thinks we might still serve some useful function. But what is it? This new tour show will resolve the entire issue once and for all (in a non-patriarchal, open minded, progressive sort of way). DaVinci’s Vitruvian Man is the image of the ideal male form. Marcus’ Vitruvian Mango is the same, but sweeter, softer, seasonally available and, when ripe, delicately perfumed.
‘... charming, hilarious and utterly refreshing…’ The Sunday Mirror
‘Sharpest one-liner merchant’ The Sunday Times
‘If you haven’t seen him live, then you haven’t seen him at his very best’ The Mirror
STRICTLY 14+ Likely to be swearing and adult content
ALED JONES - Full Circle
7.30pm Thursday 5 June 2025, Launceston Town Hall
Prepare to hear Aled Jones as you’ve never heard him before. He was the boy treble who captivated the world with his angelic voice. Selling over seven million albums, Aled was the original, classical crossover star. His recording of Walking in the Air, from the animated film The Snowman, firmly established him as a household name and he has become an integral part of the nation's festivities. Equally at home on the classical stage, or starring in musical theatre productions in London West End, his credits include lead roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. As a singer, Aled is in demand globally and has performed in the world's most iconic venues, from London’s Royal Albert Hall to the Sydney Opera House. A favourite with the Royal Family, he even gave a private performance to King Charles III in Kensington Palace. He is an award-winning television broadcaster and radio presenter who’s interviewed hundreds of A-List stars over the years. He heads up BBC’s Songs of Praise and his own Saturday and Sunday morning shows on Classic FM. Now, after 40 years in the business, he’s looking back on a remarkable career with a one-man show, that will feature never-before-heard music, tales from the decades and for the first time, his story told in his own words. It's time to come Full Circle.
RICH HALL - Chin Music
8.00pm Friday 13 June 2025 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
8.00pm Saturday 14 June 2025 Launceston Town Hall
"Chin Music” has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in baseball or
cricket to intimidate the batter. Both describe Rich Hall’s comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp,
quick, splenetic, and sublimely improvisational. If you’ve never seen him, you need to hustle down to your local venue and grab a seat because he never disappoints. Ever.
STRICTLY 14+ Likely to be swearing and adult content
MYRA DuBOIS - Cosmic Empath
7.30pm Friday 10 October 2025 The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
After a barnstorming 2024 which saw Myra sell-out venues across the UK and Ireland withher critically acclaimed show ‘Be Well’, registered empath MYRA DUBOIS returns to the stage with a brand-new show “COSMIC EMPATH’.
The empath strikes BACK! Boldly caring where compassion has never cared before. An adventure giving you time (and space) to heal. When questioned on her upcoming tour, Ms DuBois stated:
“Most people would spend some time idling on the shores of some far off semi-private island after enduring the workload 2024 dumped on my plate, but not me! How could I desert my public, right as I need them most? I’ve consulted my own wellness guide, the very Reverend Dr Guru Malcolm, and he tells me that right now every star of the cosmos is looking at me with expectation. I don’t think my new show COSMIC EMPATH” shall let them down!”
Cosmic Empath sees Myra DuBois questioning where her great gift for compassion comes from. Her up-bringing? Her ancestors? The COSMOS? Who can say? All we know is that with Myra’s trademark killer wit and a singing voice that’s truly like no-one else’s, it’s going to be out of this world!
“Acid tongued, funny to the bone” TimeOut London
“This queen is hard to beat, she has a sassy line about everything” Chortle
“With her at her sharpest and most devilishly acerbic. It leaves an impression that Myra DuBois is only just getting started..., Utterly brilliant in every way.” Attitude Magazine
Strictly 18+
CHRIS McCAUSLAND - YONKS!
8.00pm Monday 13 October 2025, Plymouth Guildhall
You might have seen him on Strictly Come Dancing, Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, The Royal Variety, QI, Blankety Blank, The Last Leg, and tons more as well.
He's been called an "overnight success" - Even though he's been doing this for bloody yonks!
Chris McCausland is hitting the road again with another masterclass in stand-up comedy that has literally been yonks in the making -
The last tour was a sell-out, so get your tickets now!
Recommended age: 16+
KERRY ELLIS - Queen of the West End
7.30pm Wednesday 19 November 2025, The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
7.30pm Thursday 20 November 2025, Launceston Town Hall
Kerry Ellis is the Queen of the West End. From My Fair Lady to We Will Rock You, from Les Miserables to Wicked, in both the West End and on Broadway, she has starred in musical theatre’s biggest roles, making shows her own and earning her numerous awards. Her list of credits is remarkable and also includes Oliver!, Cats, Miss Saigon, Chess, The War Of The Worlds, and Anything Goes, among many others. She has recorded 4 studio albums, and toured the world both as a solo artist and with her good friend Sir Brian May. And now the star who grew up admiring musical theatre icons Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand is looking back on her illustrious career. Singing songs from the biggest musicals and telling stories about how she came to play roles, this is a unique opportunity to see and hear the West End’s biggest hits in a very intimate setting on a tour of the UK. Don’t miss it.
JOHN LYDON - I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
7.30pm Thursday 20 November 2025, The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
7.30pm Friday 21 November 2025, Launceston Town Hall
He’s a legend and an icon, a revolutionary and an immortal. John Lydon – aka Johnny Rotten – changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution. The frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) caused a political earthquake and transformed music for good. In his spoken word show, I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right, Lydon is touring the UK. He will talk about how he sees life, along with his unique and extraordinary career, and take audience questions during a pyrotechnic, one-off tour. Lydon will be sharing his thoughts with audiences. He Could Be Wrong. He Could Be Right. VIP meet’n’greet packages are available.