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Geoff Norcott: Basic Bloke
On his sixth UK tour, the comedian tries to make sense of the current cultural and political scene with his playfully provocative brand of humour.
Whether it's the dire blandness of the two main parties or the shamelessly shoe-horned right-on messages in adverts and films, Geoff continues to tread in areas much of comedy leaves well alone.
But this time around he also has a mission. As well as casting his everyman eye over what's happening in wider society, Geoff is trying to unpick what's happening with your average bloke. Remember them?
It’s been a rough couple of years for blokes. Toxic masculinity has grabbed all the headlines and ruined it for communal garden geezers, who have been put under the microscope like never before. At first glance, there’s not much to examine – there’s no Bloke 2.0.
Taking up his own bloke’s-eye-view, Geoff can see that despite the social media vortex, your man in the street, average Joe, man on the Clapham Omnibus and your John Smiths just keep plodding on, fuelled by a diet of football, sheds, super-hero films, sporting autobiographies, wearing socks at all times and strategically burying feelings when necessary.
However, under the paraphernalia of manhood and the sometimes basic, even primal, behaviour of dads and lads, Geoff can see that there is something mysterious and definitely non-toxic going on.
A kindly and funny stock-take of both himself and his fellow man, Geoff unlocks some of the more complicated behaviour of your husbands, dads and brothers.
'He has become one of our most refreshingly funny comedians of any stripe' ★★★★ The Times
'He’s a class act with a mature, sharp take on modern politics' Sunday Times
Courtyard Theatre
£17.50
other events you may be interested in
Tiff Stevenson - Sexy Brain
The critically acclaimed stand up, writer and actor invites you to spend an hour with a woman and her self diagnosed 'Sexy Brain'... a study in trying to see all sides of every argument and driving yourself slowly mad in the process.
Sexy Brain was one of Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s Best Reviewed shows of 2022. Tiff's previous 5 star rated shows have all been listed in British Comedy Guide's Edinburgh Fringe Top 20 best shows.
Tiff has been seen on Mock the Week, People Just Do Nothing, The Office, Game Face and ABC's The Weekly.
'This is Tiff Stevenson at her finest' ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
★★★★★ The Mirror | ★★★★★ Sunday Herald | ★★★★★ Funny Women
Suitable for ages 15+ years.
Courtyard Theatre
£15
Ivo Graham: My Future My Clutter
The bumbling wordsmith and tripe factory returns to discuss three years of heavy-duty pranking/parenting/procrastinating.
Ivo was nominated for Dave’s 2019 Best Comedy Show and Joke of the Fringe ("I've got an Eton College advent calendar, where all the doors are opened by my father's contacts").
He's been seen and heard on Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, British As Folk and Richard Osman's House of Games.
'A hugely enjoyable hour of stand-up comedy' The Times
'Suddenly has star-in-the-making coming off him like steam' The Telegraph
Courtyard Theatre
£16
Mark Simmons: Quip Off The Mark
Mark Simmons is master of the one liners.
UK Comics’ Comic 2022 - Best Act
He recently joined Dara O’Brian and Hugh Dennis on BBC2’s Mock The Week as a semi-regular on the show and been appearing on BT Sport’s DIY Pundit and The Rugby’s On.
Mark also hosted News-ish and Film-ish on Fubar Radio alongside co-host Seann Walsh. He is now enjoying further success with his solo podcast Jokes With Mark Simmons. He invites a fellow comic, such as Gary Delaney and Milton Jones, to discuss jokes that they’ve written but simply just haven’t worked.
Quip Off The Mark isn’t your average one-liner show - there is a running theme throughout. This year Mark’s parents have sold the house he grew up in and he has to collect his box of stuff from the loft. Come discover what’s in the box in this top-level one-liner show structured in a way you’ve never seen before.
'One of the UK’s pre-eminent pun merchants… the quickest quipster in showbusiness' Evening Standard
'Master of one-liners… his (show) consist(s) of literally one liner after one liner, with one or two breaks for the audience to catch their breath before another assault on the laughter and muscles with the next segment' ★★★★★ One4Review
'Absolutely hilarious' ★★★★ The Scotsman
'A lot of excellent funny one-liners' Bruce Dessau
'A talented comic with an artisan’s grasp of joke writing' ★★★★ Chortle
RUNNER UP DAVE’s Top 10 Jokes of the Fringe 2022
DAVE’s Top 10 Jokes of the Fringe 2019 (& 2017)
Nominee Amused Moose: Best Show 2017
Courtyard Theatre
£18
Mark Simmons's website
@MarkSimmons
@nordenfarm
- 8 Jun SOLD OUT
Sooz Kempner: PlayStation
The Twitter sensation and BBC Radio 4 regular takes to the road in her debut UK tour, following a sold-out Edinburgh Festival residency.
In 1998 Sooz got a PlayStation, the first adult console, and finally felt grown-up. But is she really? Find out in this stand up show for anyone who remembers the 90s or had big dreams as a kid (gamers and non-gamers alike)!
Sooz is an award winning comedy performer, singer, writer, and actor. She has written and performed eight solo stand up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. Sooz is a regular collaborator with Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer the Opera, Made in Dagenham) and hosts two podcasts - Mystery on the Rocks and QueenPod, the official podcast for the band Queen.
Throughout lockdown she made a variety of online content including livestreams via Twitch and viral political videos which build a huge international following, and received press in The Guardian, The Independent and The Metro, as well as in the LA Times and Chicago Tribune across the Atlantic.
‘Kempner has funny bones and an effortless audience rapport’ ★★★★ The Scotsman
‘Funny, witty and endlessly charming’ ★★★★ Broadway World
'A new wave of comedy' The Guardian
'Incredible... it shouldn't work but it really, really does' Independent
'Kempner is brilliant' LA Times
Sooz Kempner's website
@SoozUK
@nordenfarm
Studio
£15
Primary School Assembly Bangers LIVE!
Join James for an evening of pure nostalgia, stepping back in time for some joyous singalong tunes to take you back to your Primary School days.
You won’t have to sit cross legged on the school hall floor, but you will be encouraged to sing along! As well as the assembly bangers, there will be other musical surprises with Top 10 lists and musical mashups.
Studio
£15
Ria Lina: Riawakening
In the aftermath of a global pandemic, the comedian and scientist has had a Riawakening and sees the world differently.
In this highly anticipated debut tour Ria tackles the issues of coming out of a global pandemic, the new normal, divorce, dating in a new digital world, motherhood and what it really means to be a woman today.
Fearless, provocative, and very funny, Ria Lina is the only Filipina comedian in British stand-up and a hugely admired talent in the comedy industry.
Her extensive list of credits includes Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, Lovestruck High, Richard Hammond’s Brain Reaction, House of Games, The Last Leg and Celebrity Mas-termind.
'I guarantee you will laugh a lot' ★★★★ The Scotsman
Studio
£16
Alfie Moore: A Face for Radio
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 onto 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.
In his 40s the two universes collided when Alfie made a bid for showbiz success - but unfortunately 30 years of shift-work and being punched in the face quite a lot, had 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.
This is the true story of Alfie’s big plan to transition from the BBC radio waves to TV star. Could it be done? Or had Father Time decided that his time had passed?
Star of BBC Radio 4's It's a Fair Cop.
'…offbeat, revealing and very funny' Daily Mail
'…thoroughly engaging, endlessly funny. His charisma shines through as bright and colourful as a twirling blue light' Mature Times
Alfie Moore's website
@alfiemoore
@nordenfarm
Courtyard Theatre
£18
Jo Caulfield – Here Comes Trouble
Voted Comedians’ Comedian of The Year 2021/2022, Jo Caulfield is quite simply one of the most consistently funny and creative comics in the country.
Hot on the heels of her sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run, Here Comes Trouble is packed with brilliant routines and fantastically embarrassing stories.
Audiences can expect razor-sharp observations and scandalous one liners as Jo gets her claws into everything and everyone. From yelling at strangers on trains (and many other places), to discussing ridiculous sexual fantasies and annoying her neighbours, Jo doesn’t mean to cause trouble; she just has the nerve to say out loud what everyone else thinking!
This is Jo Caulfield doing what she does best: pure Stand-Up. Just Jo, a microphone, and a bad attitude.
'Sharp-witted urban comedy that goes down a treat… like a sociology textbook but with jokes' The Times
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