Purple CactusNorthern – Manchester » Purple Cactus

Alex Boardman

cactus — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:01:59 +0000

Alex Boardman is now one of the most sought after acts in the country due to his ability to interact with any audience and to seemingly conjure something out of nothing. His free flowing style and natural charm breeze through in performances. However there is often hard-hitting edge to his material that acts as counter balance to this.

Given this ability for ad-libbing and ease with the audience, it is no wonder that Alex often finds himself acting as compere. His unique brand of “Flattery and abuse” as one journalist put it, is always popular, as although he dances round the edge of what it is considered PC to say in public, the lack of malice and sense of fun in what he does, means that everyone gets to laugh. Best of all, you feel it is at no one’s expense.

Alex writes and co-presents “The 7th Day” on Galaxy FM, a Manchester based commercial station that is part of the Chrysalis Group.

And before you ask, no, he’s no relation to Stan Boardman.

Quotes:

“Very Funny, a rare mixture of wit and charm” – The Guardian

“Improvised witticisms from the acerbic Mancunian. A veteran of the Madchester phenomenon, his loved-up reminisces and tall tales can lead anywhere on any given night.” - The Times

“Probably the quickest I’ve ever seen, certainly the funniest.” – The Big Issue

Brain Candy (BBC2) (2003) The Ralf Little Show (BBC Choice) (2002) (2001)

Comedy Network series two (Channel 5) (1998)

Comedy Network Live from the Edinburgh Palladium (Ch 5) (1997)

Last Laugh Show (ITV 1) Mad For It (ITV 1) (1998)

Writing (scripted/ studio based comedy)

BAFTA nominated Lily Live (series one and two) ( ITV1).

National Soap Awards 2005

Paul O’Grady’s gag writer (ITV1)

Soap Fever (ITV2)

Turn Back Time (BBC 2)

Top Ten TV (Ch 4)

A Question of Sport (BBC1)

Up Late with Ralf Little (BBC Choice)

The Ralf Little show (BBC Choice)

The Eleven O Clock Show (Ch 4) (series two – four)

Writing (sketch comedy)

The Last Laugh Show (ITV/ Paramount comedy)

The Last Man In. (R4)

The In Crowd, (R4)

Rob Ellis at Drivetime (Galaxy FM)

Radio

Galaxy 102 – Presenter

Alun Cochrane

cactus — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:16:07 +0000

Alun Cochrane is a Perrier nominated stand-up comedian who is known from TV and radio including BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Dave’s One Night Stand, Have I Got News For You, BBC Two’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock The Week, Channel 4′s 8 Out Of 10 Cats, and headlining Live At The Comedy Store on Comedy Central.

Alun Cochrane has hosted radio on Xfm Manchester, as well as featuring on The Now Show, Just A Minute, Dilemma, Loose Ends, and Lee Mack And Friends.

Alun Cochrane is a master at observational comedy, telling tales about eating, sleeping, daydreaming, driving, being a son, father, brother, husband, friend, mortgage-holder, clothes-wearer, car-owner, radio-listener, train-traveller, door-opener (and closer), alcohol-consumer, hangover-sufferer, newspaper flicker-through-er, occasional football watcher, and general liver of life, in short; he gets material from anywhere he wanders in mind or body.

Born in Glasgow and raised in West Yorkshire, Alun is a fantastic self declared ‘no-nonsene’ comedian making light of every day life in his own unique way. You may recognise him from his appearances on popular TV shows such as 8 out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week, Soccer AM & more!

As an Edinburgh regular, this year Alun Cochrane took his show ‘Moments Of Alun’ to the festival; earning himself a handful of four and five star reviews to go alongside the Writer’s Guild Award For Comedy. Consequently, Alun is about to take the show on a tour around the UK.

Quotes about Alun Cochrane :

“a master storyteller, holding the audience before dropping an exploding but simple punchline…” – Metro

“there’s no reason why Cochrane couldn’t sell out Wembley in the not too distant future…” – Fest Mag

Dominic Woodward

cactus — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:56:45 +0000

Dominic Woodward started comedy young and wide eyed back in 2001, with over 12 years experience on the UK circuit he’s a safe pair of hands. He’s cheeky, charming, full of energy and hilarious.

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.

Dominic Woodward 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.

Stand Up Comedian

Whether you want a comedian for a comedy night, corporate event or after dinner entertainment Dominic can provide an outstanding show.

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.

Comedy Clubs:

Dominic Woodward is regularly booked as an act and compere by:

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.

Corporate:

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.

Dominic Woodward Testimonials and Reviews

“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…. WONDERFUL. I look forward to working with you again in the future.” Russ Harman, Director, Event Developments Ltd.

“Great night Dom, I had really good feedback from everyone at the show for your performance. Many, many thanks” Paul, organiser rugby club fundraiser, Wakefield Grammar.

“Insightful and humorous observations.” Guardian

“Effortless delivery” The Times

“Engaging material” Manchester Evening News

“Dominic Woodward has a keen eye for observational comedy and genuine funny bones.” BBC Online

Jason Manford

cactus — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:02:13 +0000

Jason Manford was born May 26 1981 in Salford, Lancashire, he is an English writer, comedian, actor, radio and television presenter of Irish descent. He began his career in 1999, while working at the Buzz Comedy Club upstairs at the Southern Hotel in Chorlton, Manchester. Jason was collecting glasses when a performer didnt arrive for an evening set, Jason, who was 17 at the time stepped in to fill the gap, an event which marked the beginning of his comedy career. Six gigs later he was crowned The City Life North West Comedian of the Year.

Jason supports Manchester City FC and has a season ticket with his Dad and three brothers. Jason cites Billy Connolly as the first comedian he saw when he was 9 years old, and as the very first inspiration for him to become a comedian. He has a love for family friendly entertainers like Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Les Dawson. Later on comics like Jasper Carrott and Dave Allen influenced Jason, but it wasnt until he saw Peter Kay he decided to have a go himself.

After winning several smaller awards, Jason was nominated for the Perrier Award in Edinburgh in 2005 for his show Urban Legends, a stand up show about those stories that always seem to happen to a friend of a friend. Jason did the comedy clubs of the UK, including the Comedy Store and Jongleurs and did many gigs abroad as far a field as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and China.

His first major television appearance was when he was a guest on the Channel 4 panel show, 8 out of 10 cats, presented by Jimmy Carr, he was on Dave Spikeys team alongside Piers Morgan, and would later go on to replace Dave Spikey as Team Captain on 15th June 2007 and has since recorded 28 episodes.

Jason has performed stand up on television, including Edinburgh and Beyond and The World Stands Up on the Paramount Channel and Comedy Shuffle on BBC 3. The most high profile of these appearances was when he did a half spot on Live at the Apollo on BBC 1 in November 2007, alongside Jack Dee and Russell Howard. A year later, 12th December 2008, he did the full show on the same show and was introduced by fellow 8 out of 10 Cats team captain, Sean Lock.

He began hosting a breakfast show on XFM Manchester from January 5th 2007 and which lasted until May 15, 2008. He recorded a dozen podcasts available on itunes.
He has also presented his own shows, the first of which was on Sky Three, Premier League Allstars Extra Time in 2007, a show that went out at 11pm after the main Premier League Allstars show had finished on Sky 1 The show was live and was an hour of chaotic slightly drunken interviews with former footballers, celebrities and fans whod just finished playing 6-a-side football.

The other show was Tonightly, it aired every Monday to Friday during the month of August, 2008 on Channel 4 at around 11.15pm. It was a mix of topical jokes written about the days news, character sketches and guests including Ken Livingstone and Danny Wallace.

Jason also enjoys charity work and raising money for them, he has worked for many different charities including Amnesty International, Manchester Childrens Hospital, Comic Relief, Children in Need, Victim Support, Princes Trust and Migraine Action. Currently Jason is a patron for Save Babies UK, and is focussing all his efforts on them for the time being. If I can help out in anyway, then please get in touch on the contacts page.

QUOTES:

“Immensely amiable, naturally funny” – The Sunday Telegraph

”He has the audience roaring with laughter” – The Stage

”A clear star in the making“ – The List

“A True Master of Observational Comedy” – BBC

”Engaging and Witty” -The Sunday Times

“A Popular Comedian with Charisma Beyond his Years” – City Life

“A Natural with the Audience…Warm…Fun…Engaging” – Manchester Evening News

“Hilarious” – Johnny Vegas

“Very Funny” – Peter Kay

“Jason Thinks He is Some Kind of Comedian” – Mrs Cooper, English Dept, Oakwood High School

Jon Pearson

cactus — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:12:48 +0000

Jon began standup comedy in 2010, with his first performance at Birmingham’s Highlight Comedy Club.

Two successful Edinburgh shows later,

and 5 years working the UK comedy circuit, Jon is now regularly found at the biggest and best comedy clubs across the UK including The Glee Club, The Comedy Store and Jongleurs, both as an act and a compere.

His 2015 Daves Leicester Comedy Festival show, Jon Pearson: Tall Order, sold out at Melton Theatre within 2 weeks of the tickets going on sale.
Jon’s laid back storytelling has audiences hanging on his every word. With tales based around his own life experiences, his anecdotes are relatable and certain to have people in hysterics.

Justin Moorhouse

cactus — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:10:25 +0000

Manchester based Justin Moorhouse is a talented stand-up comedian, writer and actor – 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 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.

Justin’s debut solo show ‘Local Knowledge – 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.

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.

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’.

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.

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 & 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’ – which scooped a nomination for a Palme D ‘or at the Cannes Film festival.

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.

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).

Mick Ferry

cactus — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:26:10 +0000

“Awesome stand up” – BBC

Mick Ferry is renowned as a fine purveyor of lugubrious surrealism and has quickly established himself as one of the most sought after comics on the British and International comedy circuit.

One of the finest comperes around, Mick Ferry performs regularly at The Comedy Store in London and Manchester as well as headlining at comedy venues nationwide. He is also a regular member of the prestigious topical Cutting Edge Team at the Comedy Store.

On our TV screens, Mick has recently starred in BBC One`s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow as well as Comedy Blue and The Comedy Store for Comedy Central. He made his big screen debut in 2009 in Ken Loach’s Looking For Eric – a hit feature film at the Cannes film festival where it was nominated for the prestigious Palm D’Or. A prolific writer, Mick was a writer on John Bishop’s Britain for BBC One and has also previously written for BBC3`s Smalltime.

Mick made his debut at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in 2009 performing `The Comedy Final` at the Gilded Balloon. He returned in 2010 with a new show `The Missing Chippendale (Body Issues)`, returning to the festival again in 2010 with his most recent offering `Sod It!`.

Best Stand Up on the North West Comedy Circuit 2006 Nominee

Quotes:

“As good as it gets…highly original and hilarious” – Metro Big Issue

“One of the best comperes in the country” – Manchester Evening News

“A master at working an audience” – Yorkshire Evening Post

“Simply Sublime” – Manchester City Life Magazine

“Performs with style and conviction, highly enjoyable” – Chortle

Patrick McGuinness

cactus — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:28:01 +0000

Patrick McGuinness is a hugely entertaining comedian and awards host. He has created one of the iconic comedy creations of the present day in the form of Paddy the doorman from Phoenix Nights, transporting his immense comedy talent from the small screen and stage to corporate events. Patrick is ideally suited to an after dinner stand up performance or presenting awards at any ceremony.

Patrick McGuinness’s first outing on the road to tellydom was in a series of 6 one off episodes in Channel 4′s The Comedy Lab. He appeared as Terry, a work-shy employee in Peter Kay’s The Services.

Soon after this he got the part as Paddy the doorman in That Peter Kay Thing. He appeared in the episode entitled “The Club” which led to the massive spin off series Phoenix Nights.

Not taking acting or comedy too seriously, Patrick returned to his job as a fitness instructor after the first series of Phoenix Nights. It was only when his lifelong friend Peter Kay persuaded him to leave his full time job and give showbiz a go that Patrick left the fitness industry behind and started work on Phoenix Nights Series 2.

Patrick then went on to co-write with Peter Kay, the eagerly anticipated spin off to Phoenix Nights: “Max and Paddy: The Road To Nowhere”. This follows the adventures of the two Phoenix doormen (Max and Paddy) and what they get up to on their travels around the country.

Max and Paddy’s Power of Two, which featured the 2 characters performing in their very own work out video was subsequently released on DVD and became the fastest selling fitness video ever!

On top of this Patrick and other Phoenix Nights cast members toured the country with their hilarious live comedy show, The Jumping On The Bandwagon Tour.

Patrick has filmed pilots for the BBC and Channel 4 including game shows and chat shows. He appeared in the second series of the Sky One show The Match, hosted Inside Wayne Rooney also for Sky One. In 2006 he wrote his first solo comedy short Chuck Stryker: The Unknown Stuntman for E4 and starred in it alongside Jonathan Wrather. He is currently presenting Unanimous: The Fallout with Olivia Lee. Paddy also hosted the Paul O’Grady Show in November 2006.

In 2005 / 2006 Patrick embarked on his first ever solo stand-up tour, The Dark Side. Patrick performed 108 dates, entertaining audiences across the UK with his sell out show and went on to perform in successive tours.

Patrick appeared on Britain’s Got More Talent and The Royal Variety Performance in 2009, as well as starring in BBC One’s Sport Relief in 2010.

Steve Shanyaski

cactus — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:53:40 +0000

Steve has rapidly established himself throughout the UK as a top choice for all of the
major comedy venues & promoters, including the Comedy Store, CSE, and Glee Club.

His whirlwind performances and thrilling routines have constantly proven a hit with even the
quietest crowds… The key to his act being his energy and silliness.

He has performed his comedy throughout the world: to an audience as diverse as bikers in a field, to royalty in a theatre, and never ceases to go down a storm.

Aside from the comedy work, as a musician – Steve writes electronic music under the alias “Get Chipped” which you will find in the audio section of this site and on Soundcloud.

SOLO SHOWS

Steve Shanyaski’s “Wasn’t I Supposed To Be Goldie?” 2011 Solo Show

Steve Shanyaski’s “Reality Check” (2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival)

Funny For a Fiver (2009 Edinburgh Fringe)

Media Comedy Appearances

2011 Royal Variety Performance (Live show – Lowry Theatre)

Comedy Store Presents… – Comedy Central (Broadcast date tbc)

ITV Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford, Feb 2011

BBC3’s “Britain In Bed” Documentary Jan 2012

BBC7 ˜Spanking New” Series 2003 (a showcase for Britain’s best new stand-up comics).

BBC3 New Comedian of the Year. Semi-Finals 2003.

RADIO

Breakfast Show on 96.2 Revolution FM.

BBC GMR (co presenter “I should CoCo”

Television

Channel M – Guest Presenter of “City Life Social”

Channel M – Presenter 2006 North West Comedian of the Year series

“Manchester Montages” Sketch Show.

Zoo Magazine National Ad Campaign “£10k Blowout”. 2006

AWARDS

HolstenPils Comedian of the Year 2005

BBC3 New Comedy Awards. Semi-Finalist 2003.

Birmingham Comedy Festival Breakthrough Talent 2005 Winner

City Life Comedian of the Year FINALIST 2003/2005

Comedy Store King Gong Winner.

Frog&Bucket “Red Hot Raw” Winner & ˜Beat the Frog” Winner.