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Brian Higgins

cactus — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:33:52 +0000

Brian Higgins is one of the most experienced headline acts on the comedy circuit. He started learning his craft in 1993. Four years later he went professional and hasn’t looked back since. Slowly and steadily he worked his way through the ranks of comedy clubs and has been regular headliner at all the top clubs for the last twelve years. Not only in the UK but also as far a field as Hong Kong, the Middle East, South Africa, Caribbean and Perth Australia.

Brian Higgins has worked cruise ships, theatres, universities and festivals and he rarely fails to deliver the goods. That might be the reason why he’s one of the busiest comics on the circuit.

Recently he has delved into the world of writing and has just finished a children’s book about special needs kids and now working on a farcical book for men on the not so talked about subject pregnancy for men.

Brian has had countless appearances on radio, with the likes of Talk Sport, Fred MacAulay show and numerous TV shows, Funny Business, The Warehouse and award winning short film Pub fiction. Brian Higgins is hungrier now than he’s ever been and it shows in a strong set.

Fatherhood and pregnancy are his main topics at the moment that and along with his improvisation skills and topical material, makes for a great night of laughter.

Quotes about Brian Higgins:

“The peoples favourite comedian” – The Stage

“Daft but very funny” – The Guardian

“Skillful and enjoyable“- Time Out

Bruce Devlin

cactus — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:45:29 +0000

“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 Amsterdam.

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.

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.

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.

QUOTES about Bruce Devlin

“Scotland’s sharpest interviewer” – The Guardian

“Chat show King” – The Herald

“Devlin’s super charged introductions could make recently-deceased genius Richard Pryor look like a slow starter” – Edinburgh Evening News

Danny Bhoy

cactus — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:09:42 +0000

“Subtle, intelligent, perceptive, observant and very, very funny.” – The Scotsman

Danny began his stand up career in 1998. A year later he won The Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award, the biggest national competition in the UK for new comics. In 2001, Danny debuted his first solo show at the Edinburgh Festival to audience enrapture and critical acclaim. Since then, he has continued to build on his stand up success in the UK, with 9 return visits to the Edinburgh Fringe, with his latest offerings packing out the biggest venues in town.

But, his success at home tells only a small part of the story. Since his first visit abroad to the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2003, Danny has become one of the most globally successful and prolific comics working in the world today. He has built up a massive following in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, where he regularly tours record-breaking shows. As probably the most travelled comedian working in the world today, Danny’s unique brand of story-telling and razor sharp wit has been described as “effortlessly funny”, and the stand up equivalent of Bill Bryson.

Danny’s first two DVD’s ‘Live at The Opera House’, and ‘Live at the Athenaeum’ released only in Australia and New Zealand, enjoyed huge success. And in early 2012, Danny recorded his first worldwide DVD in his home town of Edinburgh, ‘Live At The Festival Theatre’ which is scheduled for release in the UK this Autumn, and everywhere else soon after. In addition to regular appearances on Canada’s ‘Just For Laughs’ galas, Danny has also performed TV spots on ‘Live At The Apollo’ in the UK and ‘The David Letterman Show’ in the US. He has also recorded a highly prestigious one-hour Comedy Central Special which aired in North America.

In early 2012, Danny returned to Canada for a massive theatre tour across the country, and later this year he will be on tour throughout theatres in the UK. Danny Bhoy’s worldwide fan base continues to grow at pace. 2012 promises to be another busy year for the gifted young Scot.

“He creates a remarkable intimacy with his audience. A must-see.” – The Age, Australia

“His routines have the mark of those which are quoted from, for years to come.” – The Herald, UK

Frankie Boyle

cactus — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:15:41 +0000

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.

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.

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 – 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.

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.

QUOTES:

“His stand-up act is honed to gilt-edged perfection.” – The List

“Many, many funny lines here. A difficult book to read sedately in public.” -
Evening Standard (On ‘Frankie Boyle: My Shit Life So Far’)

“Boyle cleverly keeps the emphasis on being funny . . Bizarre, intelligent and abusively hilarious.” – List (On ‘Frankie Boyle: My Shit Life So Far’)

“Perfectly constructed, weird and wicked one-liners…His eye for absurdity is as sharp as his suits.” – The Guardian

“Frankie Boyle has suddenly gone from being one of many Scottish stand-ups to TV’s must-have funnyman.” – Daily Record

“Wit, poise and pace… it’s worth sneaking in just to see Boyle… Plays on all things Scottish with a welcome and vicious anti-authoritarian edge.” – Scotsman

Fred MacAulay

cactus — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:49:12 +0000

“rib-achingly funny, one of the funniest men alive” – Sunday Times

Fred MacAulay presents MacAulay & Co, the weekday morning show on BBC Radio Scotland. He also regularly appears on Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week and QI.

After a decade working as an accountant, Fred took the plunge and is now one of the most popular stand-ups on the circuit. He was in fact the first ever Scottish compere at The Comedy Store in London. His gentle sarcasm and intelligent, wry observations entertain audiences both north and south of the border.

A firm festival favourite, Fred has appeared from the Edinburgh Fringe to Melbourne’s top comedy club, The Last Laugh, and a sell-out appearances at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

A consummate host, Fred presented the first series of The 11 O’Clock Show and co-hosted the sports chat show McCoist & MacAulay. He continues to front Scottish TV’s Fred MacAulay’s Fringe from the Edinburgh Festival.

Fred is a Radio 4 regular, appearing on everything from Just a Minute and The News Quiz to The Unbelievable Truth. In the cause of charity, he also displayed his questionable vocal talents on Comic Relief does Fame Academy.

Fred has also successfully featured and presented many programmes for BBC Scotland. He co-hosted the very popular travelling chat show McCoist & MacAulay (1998/1999) which was broadcast throughout the UK, also Life According To Fred (1999/2000), Hoots (2000), and Simply Fred (2000).

Firmly disproving the myth that accountants are a humourless bunch, this former number-cruncher has a calculated wit – always intelligent, but never overly taxing. Irrespective of whether an audience is divided between young and old, alternative or mainstream, the broad appeal of Fred MacAulay always adds up to a side-splitting night out.

Geoff Boyz

cactus — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:09:02 +0000

Scottish comedian and impressionist, Geoff Boyz “has established himself as one of the most versatile comedians on the circuit” ID Magazine

Geoff first made his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe back in the 90’s where he hosted Best of Scottish Comedy. He followed that up with his solo stand-up show, Why? and Noises and Other Announcements, which were both a huge hit. Since then, he has continued to be in high demand on the stand-up and corporate circuits. In recent years, Geoff has toured in Australia, playing in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. He was one of the first comedians to perform in China, and has also played in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai as well as, Parker’s Comedy & Jive in South Africa. When he’s not travelling the world or playing up and down the UK, Geoff performs on cruise ships in front of thousands of people.

Geoff has worked widely across TV. He was the face of various TV commercials, such as Tennent’s Larger. He’s also worked as a stand-up and studio host for shows including Dead Ringers, This Morning, They Think It’s All Over, Truth or Dare and Live at the Comedy Store, and also performed on Live At Jongleurs and Talking Telephone Numbers. He also voiced the character of Kickstart The Dog in the pilot animation TV series, Ogri. On radio he has appeared on shows such as The Live Stand Up Showand Fantastic Voyage as well as Colin (BBC Radio 2), which he also co-wrote.

“Fast and very funny” GQ Magazine

“Boyz is a good raconteur and his charisma weaved its magic on the audience.” Chortle

Janey Godley

cactus — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:18:16 +0000

Multi-award-winning Scottish comedienne, playwright, award-winning blogger, best-selling author and former Scotsman newspaper columnist Janey Godley has performed her comedy shows and one-woman play around the world, including off-Broadway in New York. She is a regular on BBC Radio 4′s Just a Minute.

In 2006, Janey was nominated and was close runner-up for the annual Scotswoman of the Year title as ‘the most inspirational woman in Scotland’; at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, she won the Spirit of The Festival Award.

A regular 5-star performer at the Edinburgh Fringe, in 2008 she won the Fringe Report Award as ‘Best Performer’ and two Nivea Funny Women Fringe Awards – as ‘Best Stand-Up’ and, overall, for ‘Best Show’ as “one of the most prolific and extraordinary stand-up comedians working in the UK”.

In 2008, she also won Edinburgh’s WAG of the Year Award as ‘Best After Dinner Speaker’, was nominated as ‘Best International Guest’ in the 2008 New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards and was voted No 3 by readers in London listing magazine Time Out’s list of Top Ten Comedians.

In 2009, her new Edinburgh Fringe show Godley’s World received three 5-star reviews… and the New Zealand Comedy Guild nominated Janey as ‘Best International Guest’; they had also nominated her on each of her previous visits in 2002, 2006 and 2008.

Quotes:

“Honest and hilarious – the female Billy Connolly” – Independent

“Never one to shun controversy; little is taboo… a bit more cutting edge than most comics on the Fringe” – The Scotsman

“Critics’ Choice” – Sunday Herald

“At times you feel like you’re being harangued by a mad woman” – Mail on Sunday

Kevin Bridges

cactus — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:40:24 +0000

“Young comedy prodigy” – The Guardian

Despite having not set foot in a comedy club before his first open mic spot in 2004, Kevin’s natural gift for comedy ensured he quickly became a regular at major comedy clubs up and down the country including The Comedy Store, The Stand, The Glee Club, and Jongleurs.

2005 saw Kevin reach the finals of every New Act competition, most notably Channel 4′s So You Think You’re Funny?

In 2006 Kevin performed his first full length solo show at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, to a sold out audience and much critical acclaim. Moving into bigger venues every year, Kevin continued to sell out his hometown festival in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

As well as having a strong hometown following, Kevin has taken his style of observational, cutting edge comedy all over the globe. He has performed throughout Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, USA and Canada along with tours of the Far East and Middle East.

Kevin appeared on The World Stands Up and The Comedy Store (Comedy Central) which led to his first big TV break as a guest on the first series of Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow on BBC1, which aired to over five million viewers. It led to Kevin being the fastest act to sell out all twenty-eight nights of his 2009 Edinburgh Festival run and adding a staggering fifteen extra shows, which also sold out! A favourite with the punters but also the critics, Kevin received fivestar reviews and a nomination for the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer.

Kevin’s astonishing rise to success continued in 2010 – he recorded his debut DVD at a sold out Glasgow SECC arena in front of 10,000 fans, became a regular on hit new comedy show Stand Up For The Week (Channel 4), headlined the first episode in the second series of Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1) and also hosted an episode of the forthcoming sixth series of Live At The Apollo (BBC1).

After selling out his first ever solo tour this Spring and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe 2010 to packed out crowds at the prestigious Assembly Rooms, Kevin added countless extra shows to meet demand.

Quotes:

“Just naturally very, very funny. Let’s just call his talent frightening” - The Scotsman

“Young comedy prodigy” – The Guardian

“Inventive, incisive stuff – astute observations, social awareness and sharp lines” – Chortle

“Hilarious observations. One of the hottest properties on the stand up scene” – Edinburgh Evening News

“This young stand-up is currently sweeping all before him, with a raft of fresh material every time you see him. Not just a talent to watch but one to envy, too” – The Herald

Stand Up For The Week (Channel 4)
Mock The Week (BBC1)
Have I Got News For You (BBC1)
You Have Been Watching (Channel 4)
Would I Lie To You (BBC1)
Channel 4 Comedy Gala (Channel 4)
Live at the Apollo (BBC1)
Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1)
8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4)
The Comedy Store (Paramount Comedy)
The World Stands Up (Paramount Comedy)
Frankie Boyle Show Pilot (BBC TV)

Radio

Live at the Fringe (BBC Radio 4)
Serious About Comedy (BBC Radio 7)
The Burglary (BBC Radio Scotland)
The Fred Macaulay Show (BBC Radio Scotland)
Off The Ball (BBC Radio Scotland)

Larry Dean

cactus — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 10:59:23 +0000

Larry was crowned Scottish Comedian Of The Year when he was 23, and since then his star has continued to rise. His 2015 debut Edinburgh Fringe show Out Now! received widespread critical acclaim and a nomination for the Foster’s Comedy Award for Best Newcomer. Larry brought the show for a run of packed-out performances at London’s Soho Theatre and on to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival where he was one of the standout acts on the Allstars Supershow Opening Night Gala.

In 2016, Larry was invited to join the line up on Laugh Out Loud with Kevin Hart at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. He then returned to Edinburgh with Farcissist, for which he won the Amused Moose Comedy Award for Best Show. Larry subsequently took Farcissist on a UK-wide tour and for a run at the 2017 Melbourne Comedy Festival. Fandan, Larry’s next show, enjoyed a sold-out run at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe and became one of the British Comedy Guide’s Top 10 Best Reviewed Shows. Larry also performed the show at Christchurch Buskers Festival and Perth Fringeworld in February 2018 ahead of a sold-out UK tour and a stint at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Later in 2018, Larry took new show Bampot to the Edinburgh Fringe, receiving another raft of four and five star reviews and a nomination for Best Show in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Bampot then enjoyed a tour of packed out houses across the UK and Ireland.

Alongside his live work, Larry’s broadcasting career continues to go from strength to strength. He has performed on BBC1’s Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, BBC2’s Live at the Apollo and Mock The Week and Comedy Central UK’s Roast Battle. Larry has also appeared twice on BBC Presents: Best of the Edinburgh Festival, perfomed stand-up on Live From the Comedy Store for Comedy Central UK and been on ITV2’s Elevenish and BBC Radio 4’s Don’t Make Me Laugh.

One of the most honest, moving and incredibly funny sets I’ve seen in a very long time.
The Herald ★★★★★

Extremely funny… if he continues to evolve at this pace he seems destined to become a household name.
Telegraph ★★★★

A national treasure.
Chortle ★★★★

Unexpected and excellent
The Sunday Times ★★★★

Has the easy charm of an arena comic and the high joke rate too
The Guardian

Superb timing… deserves much success
The Daily Mirror ★★★★

One of the brightest rising stars
The Metro

Fascinatingly funny…I’m sure Dean will be winning other awards in the future
The Evening Standard

Sharp and unexpected lines…an irresistible chutzpah
Chortle

The audience lap up his cheeky-chappie shtick
The Guardian

I doubt it’ll be too long before he’s being snapped up for countless panel games like Mock the Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats.
The Metro

Dean is unmissable, with razor-sharp gags and precise timing, proving that he is one to watch in years to come.
Ed Fest Mag ★★★★★

Wholly unique, funny comedy… Dean is a fantastic comic
Adelaide Fringe

Raymond Mearns

cactus — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:36:41 +0000

Raymond Mearns has been a full time Comedian and Actor since June 2003! Prior to this he had done comedy part time whilst working as a Communciations Sales Manager for Arthur McKay based in Edinburgh. Notable credits up till that point included:

1996 – Trial by Night (STV) – Studio Guest
1997 – The Big Big Talent Show (ITV) – Contestant
1998 – Part of “Troy” in “Home” – BAFTA best short 1999
2001 – Winner – Jongleurs new Act Competition.
2002 – Live Floor Show (BBC) – Series 1
2003 – Live Floor Show (BBC) – Series 2 & 3

In mid-2003 Raymond was cast as Big Roddie in The Feature Film “Ae Fond Kiss” directed by Ken Loach.

In 2004, Raymond was a founder member of the improvisational comedy sketch group Dance Monkey Boy Dance!!! Which saw a sell-out run at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe and then onto New York where DMBD performed at: The Improv and The Gotham Comedy Club, alongside the first ever New York Comedy Festival.

In November 2005 Raymond returned to New York where he played to a sell-out crowd at The Laugh Factory with the Show “Laughs Across the Ocean” in collaboration with New York Comic, Danny Lobell.

2006 included appearances on “Off the Ball”, “Rebus” and the pilot Episode of “Legit’” where Raymond first played the character “Happy Boab”. At end of 2006 Raymond shot his second feature film for Ken Loach as he played the character: “Andy” in “It’s A free World”

In 2007, “Legit’” the series was commissioned and Raymond spent a memorable summer playing “Happy Boab” whom the Sunday Mail described as: “A character who brings so much sunshine into the world he deserves his own show!” Raymond also performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in his new one man stand-up show: “Recovering Arsehole”. The year ended with Raymond shooting a series of commercials for the Sun Newspaper that included cameo appearances from Frank McAvennie and John Smeaton. 2007 Also saw the release of Raymond’s first DVD which was recorded at the Stand Comedy Club during the Glasgow International Comedy Festival

2008 saw Raymond assume the Role of Executive Producer on the feature film “Next Time Ned”, written and directed by Thomas McCue. Raymond also played the main character “Ned Randall” and contributed to the score. This was followed by a number of trips abroad to entertain British Troops and then onto Edinburgh where Raymond performed another one man show “Shaggy Dog Stories” of which Chortle said: “Virtually every line that issues from this man is funny, some of them very much so!”. 2008 also saw the birth of the smash hit: “Limmy’s Show” created by internet sensation Brian Limond and Raymond was chosen as a member of the principal cast for the Pilot. At the end of the year Raymond also landed a part in the “Rab C Nesbitt” Christmas Special.

Raymond embarked upon his first tour of Scotland in the spring of 2009 and this was followed up with two quite unusual jobs! The first of these was to promote the Glasgow Comedy Festival, where Raymond was asked to provide a completely improvised comedy guide to the city from an open top tour bus. Then a few weeks later Raymond was hired to provide additional voiceover on “The Illusionist” an animated feature film directed by Sylvian Chomet. Both of these proved to be surprise hits as “The Illusionist” was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars in 2011 and the Bus Tour was seen all over the world and this was borne out when, to Raymond’s delight, he was recognised whilst on tour in Western Australia in 2010. Raymond was then drafted in to join the cast of BBC Radio Scotland’s sketch comedy programme “The Ellis and Clarke Show” and then onto Series 1 of “Limmy’s show” where Raymond cemented his reputation as a comic actor of significant ability. At the very end of 2009 Raymond was flown to Prague to film the TV commercial for Cheestrings that was aired UK wide in 2010.

In 2010, Raymond was cast in the BBC Radio Scotland Sit-com “No Hard Feelings” playing a range of different characters alongside John Gordon Sinclair. This was quickly followed up by him landing the role of “The Pharmacist” in the BBC Drama “One Night In Emergency” written by Gregory Burke and starring Kevin McKidd. A Significant part of 2010 was also spent setting up RAB Productions, an innovative new production company that Raymond runs in conjunction with Calum Weir to produce bespoke comedy based films for the corporate and educational sectors. At the end of 2010 Raymond did some shows in Western Australia and also did the short film “An Incident in Time” directed by award winning writer/director John Barrington.

As of 2011 Raymond has completed a successful mini tour of venues across Scotland. He also appeared in the new series of “Rab C Nesbitt” and in the BBC’s Scottish Soap Opera “River City”. His second DVD was released in April of 2011 and he then went on tour with “Pete Doherty” doing support slots at The Shepherds Bush Empire and various venues in the North of England, Raymond continues to do live stand-up most weekends at various clubs across the UK and beyond.

Quotes:

‘This guy gets better every time you see him… a master class in how to compere a gig’ – Edinburgh Evening News

‘A ballistic ranter – not to be missed’ – List

‘This man is going to be huge’ – BBC Radio Scotland

‘A top class act.’ – Edinburghguide.com