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	<title>Purple CactusNorthern (entire) &#187; Purple Cactus</title>
	<atom:link href="http://purplecactus.co.uk/category/northern-2/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk</link>
	<description>Leading Comedy Specialists</description>
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		<title>Boothby Graffoe</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/boothby-graffoe</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/boothby-graffoe#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2012 23:29:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bronze £500 to £2,500]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Musical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Something a Little Different]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=2945</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Boothby Graffoe &#8211; this very tall comedian from Hull has been honing his gags and guitar-playing on the stand-up circuit since the late 1980s. Winner of a Time Out Comedy Award and a 1995 Perrier Award nominee, he has also &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2946" title="Boothby Graffoe" src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Boothby-Graffoe-181x181-custom.jpg" alt="Boothby Graffoe" width="181" height="181" /><strong>Boothby Graffoe</strong> &#8211; this very tall comedian from Hull has been honing his gags and guitar-playing on the stand-up circuit since the late 1980s. Winner of a Time Out Comedy Award and a 1995 Perrier Award nominee, he has also co-written and starred in two series of <em>The Big Booth</em> for Radio 4 and seen two of his plays, <em>The Condition Of The Virgin</em> and <em>God and Adam </em>performed at the Edinburgh Festival.</p>
<p>All of which is why he has his own series on Radio 4.</p>
<p>As well as pleasing his die hard fans, the radio series aims to bring the full flavour of Boothby Graffoe to an audience who do not know his work.</p>
<p>Boothby Graffoe is a skilled performer, expert with an audience, so it is recorded as live at the Drill Hall. He has a lovely singing voice, so each show has at least one song. He tells great gags, ranging from the political to the silly and surreal and delivers great anecdotes so all are included in the show.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 341px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x265.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s75ssgmPH7A?&amp;showinfo=0modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=0&amp;controls=1&amp;hd=0&amp;rel=0"  frameborder="0"></iframe></div></p>
<p>And this year the gag count is even higher as writer Jim Miller (Jo Brand: Through the Cakehole) joins the team.</p>
<p>With<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em> Boothby Graffoe</em></span> on stage are his small team of regulars: accomplished actor Stephen Frost, and fab guitarist Antonio Forcione. A guest actor also joins each week, Paul Zerdin, Debra Stephenson (star of <em>Bad Girls</em>) and Art Malik are all looking forward to being part of the show for a night.</p>
<h2><strong>QUOTES about Boothby Graffoe:</strong></h2>
<p>&#8220;<em>Sings songs that are both beautiful and funny</em>&#8221; &#8211; The Guardian</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>&#8230;it&#8217;s not fair to call them comedy songs, they are much more than that, there are some i would dare to call genius</em>.&#8221; -The Times</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>Buy two copies of his cd because you&#8217;ll want to share but you won’t want to give it away.</em>&#8221; -The Scotsman</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>No more music maestro, please</em>!&#8221; -The Independent</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Bruce Devlin</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/bruce-devlin</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/bruce-devlin#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:45:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bronze £500 to £2,500]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Compere / MC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=4350</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“super slick compere” – Scotsma Bruce is one of the UK’s most in-demand MC’s, and a resident host at The Stand Comedy Club. He makes regular appearances at venues across the UK and performs frequently in New York, Dubai and &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><img class="alignleft  wp-image-4351" title="Bruce Devlin " src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Bruce-Devlin-176x176-custom.jpg" alt="Bruce Devlin " width="176" height="176" />“super slick compere</em>” – Scotsma</p>
<p>Bruce is one of the UK’s most in-demand MC’s, and a resident host at The Stand Comedy Club. He makes regular appearances at venues across the UK and performs frequently in New York, Dubai and Amsterdam.</p>
<div>
<p>As warm-up performer, Bruce entertains television audiences at Pinewood Studios for Dermot O’Leary’s ‘Small Fortune’, and at the BBC: ‘Ready, Steady, Cook’, with Rylan Clark-Neal; ‘The Hit List’, with Rochelle and Marvin Humes.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>On-air and on-screen, Bruce is a contributor for Kaye Adams’ BBC Radio Scotland Show, and Radio Five Live, with Colin Paterson. Together with Lorraine Kelly, he hosted STV’s Children’s Appeal, and was roving reporter and co-host of STV’s The Hour with Michelle McManus, for whom he wrote a trilogy of sell-out Edinburgh Festival cabaret shows.</p>
</div>
<p>Bruce’s residency at Edinburgh’s Le Monde Hotel, presenting ‘The Best of International Cabaret’ is now in its 5th year. His ‘Devlin’s Daily’ chat show held a 7-year tenure for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, hosting guest performers from around the globe. He is a veteran compere for The Glasgow International Comedy Festival.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 341px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x265.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="https://vimeo.com/365481820"[frameborder="0" allow="]</div></p>
<h2><strong>QUOTES about Bruce Devlin<br />
</strong></h2>
<p>“<em>Scotland’s sharpest interviewer</em>” &#8211; The Guardian</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>Chat show King&#8221;</em> &#8211; The Herald</p>
<p>“<em>Devlin’s super charged introductions could make recently-deceased genius Richard Pryor look like a slow starter</em>” &#8211; Edinburgh Evening News</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://purplecactus.co.uk/bruce-devlin/feed</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Dave Johns</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/dave-johns</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/dave-johns#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:35:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bronze £500 to £2,500]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern - Newcastle / Georgie]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=814</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WINNER SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARD EDINBURGH 1998 Dave Johns has gained a reputation as an inventive, exciting and extremely funny comedian winning applause from his audiences, respect from his fellow comics, and rave reviews from the critics. He has &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2941" title="Dave Johns " src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Dave-Johns.jpg" alt="Dave Johns" width="194" height="204" />WINNER SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARD EDINBURGH 1998</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Dave Johns</strong></span> has gained a reputation as an inventive, exciting and extremely funny comedian winning applause from his audiences, respect from his fellow comics, and rave reviews from the critics. He has had two very successful runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in two highly acclaimed shows ‘Dave Johns On The Edge’ in 1998 and ‘I’m in The Attic Mother’ in 1999 at the Pleasance Theatre for which he won the Spirit of the Fringe Award.</p>
<p>Johns has been invited to perform across the world from Glastonbury to Hong Kong, Leeds to Bangkok and performed sell-out shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia 1998,1999 &amp; 2001. July 2001 also saw Dave perform at the prestigious Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 361px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x285.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7O0iZLUKUBA?&amp;showinfo=0modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=0&amp;controls=1&amp;hd=0&amp;rel=0"  frameborder="0"></iframe></div></p>
<p><strong>LIVE WORK</strong></p>
<p>The Rupert Pupkin Collective  Edinburgh Fringe Festival  2010</p>
<p>Dave Johns On The Edge one man show  Edinburgh Fringe Festival  1998</p>
<p>I’m In The Attic Mother one man show  Edinburgh Fringe Festival  1999</p>
<p>Regular Guest comedy improvisation show. Comedy Store Players</p>
<p>Hosted Euro 96 in Newcastle in from of 7000 fans</p>
<p>Hosts Gala Show Newcastle Comedy Festival.</p>
<p>Hosted The Sumatran Orangutan Society benefits the Lyceum theatre London 2006/2007/2008.</p>
<h2><strong>QUOTES about Dave Johns:</strong></h2>
<p>&#8220;<em>I can honestly say he is one of the funniest and entertaining comics I have seen second to none. Go take a look for yourself see if we agree</em>.&#8221; &#8211; Talkfringe Adelaide</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>The standout of the show was Dave Johns who with his off beat and often off-the-cuff sense of fun on stage. Had the audience doubled over with laughter</em>.&#8221; &#8211; Adelaide Advertiser.</p>
<p>“<em>Extremely funny</em>.”  &#8211; The Herald</p>
<p>“<em>Fearless, imaginative and very funny</em>.”  &#8211; The Age, Melbourne</p>
<p>“<em>Fast paced, frantic, silly and funny</em>.”  &#8211; Weekender</p>
<p>“<em>Geordie joker Dave Johns, stealing the show on Never Mind the Buzzcocks</em>.” &#8211; Daily Star</p>
<p>“<em>He has an uncontrived manner and sense of fun on stage that most comics can only dream about</em>.” &#8211; The Scotsman</p>
<p>“<em>Performs comedy’s greatest magic simply by being himself , a genuinely funny engaging performer</em>” &#8211; Glasgow Evening News</p>
<p>“<em>He shifts from the sublime, to genius, to uproar, in the blink of an eye. An extremely entertaining hour</em>.” &#8211; The Guardian</p>
<p>“<em>Look closely you will see the man generate sparks of magic</em>” &#8211; The List</p>
<p>“<em>He bounds on stage singing snippets from musicals and has the audience in the palm of his hand within seconds. What follows was forty minutes of the most enjoyable comedy I have seen so far in this festival. Oh yes we do need you Mr Dave Johns </em>applause from his audiences, respect from his fellow comics, az” &#8211; The Age</p>
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		<title>Dave Spikey</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/dave-spikey</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/dave-spikey#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:50:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gold Up to £10,000]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=2783</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Multi award-winning Dave Spikey is one of the most sought-after comedy talents in the UK today. With a career spanning two decades, he has numerous TV appearances to his name as a stand-up comedian, presenter and actor &#8211; and behind &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft  wp-image-2786" title="Dave Spikey - Big" src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Dave-Spikey.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="197" />Multi award-winning Dave Spikey is one of the most sought-after comedy talents in the UK today. With a career spanning two decades, he has numerous TV appearances to his name as a stand-up comedian, presenter and actor &#8211; and behind the screens, as an acclaimed comedy writer.</p>
<p>He famously made his name as co-writer and star of Phoenix Nights, alongside Peter Kay. As Jerry St Clair, &#8216;the compere without compare,&#8217; he built a huge following. He then earned his panellist stripes on Channel 4&#8242;s 8 out of 10 Cats. Internationally, he has recently returned from a second highly acclaimed sell out week in Hong Kong. Dave has many TV appearances to his name as stand-up comedian, game show presenter &#8211; hosted ITV&#8217;s popular game show <em>Chain Letters</em> &#8211; and actor.</p>
<p>Originally an NHS haematologist, Dave eventually realised he could make a living as a stand-up. After winning a regional Comedian of the Year contest, he was offered a residency on Granada&#8217;s What&#8217;s New? He went on to support Jack Dee, Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans and Jo Brand before becoming a headliner in his own right. Aside from performing, his writing credits include Dead Man Weds, in which he co-starred with Johnny Vegas.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 341px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x265.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NbY6-WouiXE?&amp;showinfo=0modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=0&amp;controls=1&amp;hd=0&amp;rel=0"  frameborder="0"></iframe></div></p>
<p>Dave&#8217;s stand-up career began in 1992 after many years writing routines and sketches for other comedians, TV and radio. He was 50% of the legendary double act &#8216;Spikey and Sykey&#8217; who&#8217;s most notable success was on Central TV&#8217;s <em>New Faces</em>. Since that fateful day, Dave has spent the intervening years developing a variety of top class sets to cater for every audience.</p>
<p><strong>QUOTES:</strong></p>
<p><em>&#8220;Terrific stuff&#8230;Something special&#8221; &#8211; </em>Evening Telegraph</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>His delivery and timing are quite exceptional</em>&#8221; &#8211; The Scotsman</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>Original , relaxed and visually very funny</em>&#8221; &#8211; Hong Kong Post</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>Brilliantly Versatile.</em>&#8221; &#8211; City Life</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>Brilliant</em>&#8221; &#8211; Daily Mirror</p>
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		<title>Dominic Woodward</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/dominic-woodward</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/dominic-woodward#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:56:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bronze £500 to £2,500]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Compere / MC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern - Manchester]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=4588</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dominic Woodward started comedy young and wide eyed back in 2001, with over 12 years experience on the UK circuit he&#8217;s a safe pair of hands. He&#8217;s cheeky, charming, full of energy and hilarious. Now married with a mortgage, Dominic &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5497" title="DomWoodward" src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DomWoodward-153x200.jpg" alt="" width="153" height="200" /><strong>Dominic Woodward</strong> started comedy young and wide eyed back in 2001, with over 12 years experience on the UK circuit he&#8217;s a safe pair of hands. He&#8217;s cheeky, charming, full of energy and hilarious.</p>
<p>Now married with a mortgage, Dominic Woodward weaves side-splitting stories about his life and tells belly aching jokes that hit the mark with all audiences. There’s a naughty twinkle in his eyes but his act is warm, personal and inoffensive.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Dominic Woodward</em></span> is always in demand as an act and compere. He regularly performs in comedy clubs all over the UK and abroad. He’s also great for sportsman’s dinners and corporate functions and can adapt his act to any audience and he can be squeaky clean if needed.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 341px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x265.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jp_QE3wBT9s"  frameborder="0"></iframe></div></p>
<p><strong>Stand Up Comedian</strong></p>
<p>Whether you want a comedian for a comedy night, corporate event or after dinner entertainment Dominic can provide an outstanding show.</p>
<p>With over 2000 shows under his belt, Dominic knows how to tickle the funny bone of all audiences. From squaddies to senior citizens Dominic can tailor his act to entertain whoever is in front of him.</p>
<p><strong>Comedy Clubs:</strong></p>
<p>Dominic Woodward  is regularly booked as an act and compere by:</p>
<p>Jongleurs, Highlight, The Frog and Bucket, Rawhide, Jesters, FymFyg (Lee Hurst’s Backyard Club), XS Malarkey, Hyena, Hifi, Last Laugh Comedy (Sheffield), The Stand, Buzz Comedy, Kill for a Seat Comedy, Baby Blue, Funnybones, Mirth Control, Ian Franklin, Matthew Willetts, and many more.</p>
<p><strong>Corporate:</strong></p>
<p>Recent clients include: Travis Perkins, Warrington Wolves, Asda, Sensatori Hotels (Crete and Egypt), Yorkshire Post, Event Developments Ltd, UK Motor home and Caravan Fairs, Oldham College, Thompson Holidays, Catterick Army Garrison and many more.<strong> </strong></p>
<h2><strong>Dominic Woodward Testimonials and Reviews</strong></h2>
<p><em>“The venue was full to capacity and the audience loved every second of your act. I was very impressed at your versatility and adaptability. I know you said you usually perform to a younger audience but our crowd was predominantly over 50. It didn’t faze you one bit and I watched your opening. You had got them within the first 30 seconds&#8230;. WONDERFUL. I look forward to working with you again in the future.</em><em>” </em>Russ Harman, Director, Event Developments Ltd.</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Great night Dom, I had really good feedback from everyone at the show for your performance. Many, many thanks&#8221; </em>Paul, organiser rugby club fundraiser, Wakefield Grammar.</p>
<p><em>“Insightful and humorous observations.”</em> Guardian</p>
<p><em>“Effortless delivery” </em>The Times</p>
<p><em>“Engaging material” </em>Manchester Evening News</p>
<p><em>“Dominic Woodward has a</em><em> keen eye for observational comedy and genuine funny bones.” </em>BBC Online</p>
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		<title>Frankie Boyle</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/frankie-boyle</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/frankie-boyle#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:15:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blue / Rude]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diamond £20,000 plus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern - Glasgow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=2796</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Frankie Boyle established himself as one of the hottest names on the UK comedy scene through his role as a regular panelist on the first seven series of Mock the Week. Since leaving the show to pursue other projects Frankie &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2797" title="Frankie Boyle - Big" src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Frankie-Boyle.jpg" alt="" width="198" height="198" />Frankie Boyle established himself as one of the hottest names on the UK comedy scene through his role as a regular panelist on the first seven series of Mock the Week. Since leaving the show to pursue other projects Frankie have proven to be just as sought after and maintained a devoted following.</p>
<p>Frankie’s first DVD, Frankie Boyle Live is officially the second fastest ever selling debut stand up release, selling just under 16,000 copies on its first day alone. The DVD was filmed on the final night of Frankie’s first national tour, Frankie Boyle Live, which was extended due to phenomenal demand with all 150 tour dates selling out.</p>
<p>In March 2010 Frankie hit the road again for a second national tour, entitled I Would Happily Punch Every One Of You In The Face. Extended due to overwhelming public demand – 52,000 tickets were sold on the first day they went on sale &#8211; the tour completely sold out and culminated with a string of arena dates. Once again the tour was recorded for DVD, this time filmed at the Hammersmith Apollo. Entitled If I Could Reach Out Through Your TV and Strangle You, I Would the DVD was released in mid- November and has proved to be every bit as popular as the Frankie’s first.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 341px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x265.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QvOQxeQKrdw?&amp;showinfo=0modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=0&amp;controls=1&amp;hd=0&amp;rel=0"  frameborder="0"></iframe></div></p>
<p>In November 2010 Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights, his own stand-up and sketch show, aired on Channel 4 as a six part series and was one of the most talked about shows of the year. Other recent TV appearances include You Have Been Watching, Would I Lie to You? and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.</p>
<p><strong>QUOTES:</strong></p>
<p><em>&#8220;His stand-up act is honed to gilt-edged perfection</em>.&#8221; &#8211; The List</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Many, many funny lines here. A difficult book to read sedately in public</em>.&#8221; -<br />
Evening Standard (On ‘Frankie Boyle: My Shit Life So Far’)</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Boyle cleverly keeps the emphasis on being funny . . Bizarre, intelligent and abusively hilarious</em>.&#8221; &#8211; List (On ‘Frankie Boyle: My Shit Life So Far’)</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Perfectly constructed, weird and wicked one-liners…His eye for absurdity is as sharp as his suits</em>.&#8221; &#8211; The Guardian</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Frankie Boyle has suddenly gone from being one of many Scottish stand-ups to TV&#8217;s must-have funnyman</em>.&#8221; &#8211; Daily Record</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Wit, poise and pace&#8230; it&#8217;s worth sneaking in just to see Boyle&#8230; Plays on all things Scottish with a welcome and vicious anti-authoritarian edge</em>.&#8221; &#8211; Scotsman</p>
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		<title>Jason Cook</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/jason-cook</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/jason-cook#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 08:15:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bronze £500 to £2,500]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern - Newcastle / Georgie]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=3500</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Be ready for pretty much anything when Jason Cook takes to the stage. Behind his cheerful Geordie exterior lurks a dark, sharp comedic mind capable of taking an unsuspecting audience to places they didn’t want to go. Jason has a &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3501" title="Jason Cook - Big" src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Jason-Cook-168x168-custom.jpg" alt="" width="168" height="168" />Be ready for pretty much anything when Jason Cook takes to the stage. Behind his cheerful Geordie exterior lurks a dark, sharp comedic mind capable of taking an unsuspecting audience to places they didn’t want to go. Jason has a way of presenting true-to-life stories that drag you in and won’t let go, close to the edge but always intriguing and blessed with the sort of charm that’ll have you laughing in spite of yourself.</p>
<p>At the same time Jason can cater to any audience with his prolific writing and irresistible charm.</p>
<p>Jason was first bitten by the comedic bug as part of the renowned Newcastle based sketch troupe known simply as Soup. He then went on to make a name for himself around the Tyneside area, most notably his time spent as a regular compere at The Hyena Club. There is no better place to hone comedic talent than in front of 300 baying punters, many of whom look capable of eating their own young.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 341px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x265.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zc03cZOCjzo?&amp;showinfo=0modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=0&amp;controls=1&amp;hd=0&amp;rel=0"  frameborder="0"></iframe></div></p>
<p>Jason is also the writer of Die Clatterschenkfieternmaus and Malcolm and Mirriam. The 2005 Edinburgh show gaining a treasured 4 star review from the Scotsman.</p>
<p>In 2007, Jason took his first solo stand up show to the fringe, selling out for the bulk of the run, and earning 5 star reviews.  He then embarked on a sell out world tour and scooped the coveted “Best International Show” at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, an award previously won by Eddie Izzard and Stephen K Amos.</p>
<p>In 2008 he returned with to the Fringe with “Joy”, earning MORE five star reviews and selling out the run to the point that extra shows had to be added to cope with demand. Another world tour of “Joy” sold out the New Zealand Comedy Festival and once again, we were forced to add extra shows to keep up with the sheer numbers of people wanting to see the show.<em><br />
</em></p>
<p><em>‘A fantastic display of quick witted, playful comedy…His familial tales in particular are so incredibly well told they evoke an almost everyman quality about Cook that makes him an extremely endearing comic.’ </em>– Giggle Beats</p>
<p>Jason was also invited to the Adelaide Fringe Festival where he hosted the entire season of the prestigious “Best of The Edinburgh Fest” showcase for the month.</p>
<p>2009 saw him return to the Fringe with “FEAR”, another show based on the trials and tribulations of his own life, the 5 star reviews rolled in once more and, once again, he was off around the world with further invites to the most prestigious comedy festivals on the planet. In 2010 he followed up with “The End – Part 1” to yet more critical acclaim.</p>
<p>“<em>Jason Cook’s latest show is a wonderfully life-affirming, beautifully crafted, total and utter joy. My jaw aches from laughing</em>. “ – 5 Stars. Time Out.</p>
<p>It is Jason’s style of being completely honest about everything he talks about in his shows that have endeared him to the public, earning an army of fans and invites to perform across the globe. His ability to lift an entire audience, from 150 to 3000 people, an carry them on his journeys, is unparalleled and has seen him rise to stand shoulder to shoulder with the cream of the international comedy stars.</p>
<p>“<em>the best MC this side of anywhere…. Geordie genius</em>” – Time Out</p>
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		<title>Johnny Vegas</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/johnny-vegas</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/johnny-vegas#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:43:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Platinum Up to £20,000]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=2894</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Johnny Vegas has come a long way since his early days as a Butlin&#8217;s redcoat. His repertoire ranges from stand-up to sitcom to classic drama to pottery to movies, as well as commercials with a knitted monkey. He presented The &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2895" title="Johnny Vegas - Big" src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Johnny-Vegas.jpg" alt="" width="185" height="199" />Johnny Vegas has come a long way since his early days as a Butlin&#8217;s redcoat. His repertoire ranges from stand-up to sitcom to classic drama to pottery to movies, as well as commercials with a knitted monkey.</p>
<p>He presented The Big Breakfast during its twilight days, is a regular panellist on Shooting Stars and made a memorable guest appearance on Room 101, revealing an unhealthy obsession with chat room pubs. He also got a smile out of Anne Robinson on the The Weakest Link in 2000. Johnny has also appeared on and presented a host of entertainment shows.</p>
<p>Johnny is also a talented comedy actor, as his award-winning performance as Charlie in Happiness showed. He also did a brilliant turn as Fran&#8217;s dodgy landlord in Black Books.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 341px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x265.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6LT8BNp5iW4?&amp;showinfo=0modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=0&amp;controls=1&amp;hd=0&amp;rel=0"  frameborder="0"></iframe></div></p>
<p>Johnny&#8217;s sitcom credits include Ideal and Benidorm, in which he plays a fantasist on an all-inclusive holiday with his mother and a gaggle of dysfunctional Brits. Straight acting roles include Bottom in the BBC&#8217;s magical Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream, and the scheming Krook in Bleak House. Films include The Libertine and Sex Lives of the Potato Men.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Justin Moorhouse</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/justin-moorhouse</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/justin-moorhouse#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:10:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gold Up to £10,000]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern - Manchester]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=3570</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Manchester based Justin Moorhouse is a talented stand-up comedian, writer and actor &#8211; not to mention an award-winning radio presenter and a household name in his native North West. Early in his career, his exuberant, larger than life personality and &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3571" title="Justin Moorhouse - Big" src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Justin-Moorhouse.jpg" alt="" width="185" height="185" />Manchester based Justin Moorhouse is a talented stand-up comedian, writer and actor &#8211; not to mention an award-winning radio presenter and a household name in his native North West.</p>
<p>Early in his career, his exuberant, larger than life personality and cheeky northern charm quickly allowed him to build a reputation on the live comedy circuit.  He was named ‘City Life Comedian of the Year’ in 2000 and was second placed in the ‘BBC New Talent Awards’ the following year.  He was soon supporting stand-up luminaries Jimmy Carr, Peter Kay, Dave Spikey, John Thomson and Johnny Vegas on tour before going on to play to sell out audiences across the North West with his own solo shows.</p>
<p>Justin’s debut solo show ‘Local Knowledge &#8211; The Smallest Tour in the World’ toured the North West in 2004 earning him a nomination for ‘Best Comedy Performance’ at the prestigious Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards alongside the likes of Bill Bailey and Ross Noble.</p>
<p><div style="  padding: 52px 0 0 132px; width: 565px; height: 341px; background: url(http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/skin18_440x265.png) no-repeat top left; text-align: left"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="440" height="285" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W1hMRO8QWkg?&amp;showinfo=0modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=0&amp;controls=1&amp;hd=0&amp;rel=0"  frameborder="0"></iframe></div></p>
<p>He took to the road again in 2006 with sell-out performances of his second show ‘The Difficult Second Tour’.  2007 saw him making his hotly anticipated debut at the Edinburgh festival with his third solo show ‘Who’s The Daddy?’ which he subsequently toured nationally, including a date at the prestigious Manchester Opera House.   Justin has been a regular at the Edinburgh Festival, since 2007, performing to sell out audiences and great critical acclaim.</p>
<p>Manchester’s Key 103 snapped Justin up as a presenter back in 2003 and he has just switched from his own long running tea time show on weekdays from 4-7pm to the weekend breakfast slot on Sunday’s 8am-12pm. His warmth, charisma and quick-witted spontaneity have proved a huge hit with listeners and radio industry officials alike, and he’s clocked up nominations for the highly prized ‘DJ Of The Year’ at the Sony Awards and ‘Presenter of the Year’ in the Commercial Radio Awards.  His show was also nominated in the 2006 Sony Radio Academy Awards for the ‘Interactive Programme Award’ with Judges describing Justin as ‘cheeky, funny and irreverent’.</p>
<p>BBC Radio 4 commissioned a pilot of Justin’s show ‘The Big Am I?’ which transmitted in 2009 and he most recently co-wrote and starred in the BBC Radio 4 series ‘Everyone Quite Likes Justin’, the second series of which is due to be transmitted in Autumn 2012.</p>
<p>On TV screens, Justin is perhaps most recognisable as Young Kenny in the hugely successful, award-winning ‘Phoenix Nights’.  He spent the whole of the second series with his face painted as a tiger and also made a brief appearance in the spin-of series ‘Max &amp; Paddy’s Road To Nowhere’.  Other TV appearances include ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow’ (BBC1), ‘Dave’s One Night Stand’ (Dave), ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ (Ch 4) and ‘Shameless’ (E4), In 2009 he also landed a lead role in the new Ken Loach movie ‘Looking for Eric’ &#8211; which scooped a nomination for a Palme D ‘or at the Cannes Film festival.</p>
<p>In 2010, Justin tread the boards of the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre, playing the lead role in the hugely popular stage production of ‘Zack’ (‘****’ The Times, ‘****’ The Telegraph) and more recently went back to his thespian ways in ‘Two’ – which was at the Royal Exchange until the end of February 2012.</p>
<p>Justin’s writing credits include ‘The 11 O’Clock Show’ and Channel 4’s hugely popular panel show ‘8 out of 10 Cats’.  He also wrote a comedy drama for BBC Radio 4 entitled ‘An Insurance Inspector Calls’ which was critically acclaimed and described as “a poignant comedy” (The Guardian), and “an entertaining comedy drama…warm, funny and eccentric” (The Daily Mail).</p>
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		<title>Kevin Connelly</title>
		<link>https://purplecactus.co.uk/kevin-connelly</link>
		<comments>https://purplecactus.co.uk/kevin-connelly#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:59:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cactus</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Northern (entire)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Silver Up to £5,000]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://purplecactus.co.uk/?p=3369</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Born in Middlesbrough, Kevin found fame while still at school, mimicking his fellow students &#38; of course his teachers.  As his ‘turns’ became more popular, he gained confidence &#38; included a few leading personalities into his repertoire. It was while &#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3370" title="Kevin Connelly - Big" src="http://purplecactus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Kevin-Connelly.jpg" alt="" width="212" height="212" />Born in Middlesbrough, Kevin found fame while still at school, mimicking his fellow students &amp; of course his teachers.  As his <em>‘turns’ </em>became more popular, he gained confidence &amp; included a few leading personalities into his repertoire.</p>
<p>It was while he was working as a restaurant manager at his brother-in-law’s hotel near Thirsk, Kevin would entertain the customers at the end of the evening to a small cameo piece.  Quite unrehearsed but which certainly delighted the clientele.</p>
<p>It was through this venue that someone asked him to speak at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club dinner &amp; included impressions of many of the clubs sporting personalities.  Engagements rolled in &amp; eventually Kevin decided to give up his <em>‘day’</em> job &amp; become a professional impressionist.</p>
<p>Kevin is now considered as one of the leading sporting, political &amp; television impressionists.  Via the award-winning radio &amp; television programme Dead Ringers, Kevin has become a nationally known personality.  His after dinner performances are superb &amp; Kevin has been for many years the No. 1 choice for Testimonial &amp; Benefit Dinners for many of the country’s sporting personalities.</p>
<p>Television credits include; Sports Review of the Year, Des O’Connor, The Full Monty, We’re On Our Way to Wembley, The Sports Show, It’s Not Just Cricket (with Rory Bremner), Saint &amp; Greavsie &amp; The Pavilion End.  Kevin has also made several appearances during the Test Match on Test Match Special where his impressions of the commentating team have caused great hilarity amongst those in the commentary box!!</p>
<p>Kevin has an extensive repertoire &amp; as a result of this versatility continues to be in great demand for sporting &amp; corporate events.  His impressions are the best on the after dinner circuit – highly recommended for a tremendous evening’s entertainment!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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