ANDY ZALTZMAN

Andy Zaltzman is a stand-up comedian, broadcaster and author who has firmly established himself in the vanguard of British comedy with his unique brand of political satire.

Andy is the chair of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and hosts global hit satirical podcast The Bugle. He also has numerous and diverse TV appearances include Pointless Celebrities, John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show and 8 Out of 10 Cats.

Andy’s live work has drawn audiences around the world, touring his bespoke political comedy show Satirist for Hire around the UK, Australasia, Canada and the USA. He has been a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe since his nomination for Best Newcomer in 2001, building his reputation as one of the most inventive satirists in the world. His annual round-up shows of the events of the year have become a fixture in the satirical calendar at London’s Soho Theatre.

In addition to his comedy work, Andy is well known for living our his boyhood dream as the BBC’s cricket statistician on Test Match Special, the lucky sod.

“Political comedy at its best.” The Sunday Times

ARIELLE SOUMA

In her own words, Arielle Souma is a real double F. . .   French & Fabulous! Based in Brixton Arielle Souma has added colour,diversity and a powerhouse stage presence  to the comedy scene.  Her distinctive style is punchy, blunt, accessible and empowering!  Unsurprisingly she has graced the final of many new act competitions and blew the place to bits last time she performed on our stage.  She was so good we've asked her back to open the show and it's sure to be a firecracker,

"She is just what the comedy scene needs and should be forced upon every audience until they buckle under her spell." Frankie Boyle

"A brash French-African woman who steamrollers the audience with the power of her no-nonsense personality." Chortle

FRANKIE MONROE

Frankie Monroe is the barmy and brilliant creation of Joe Kent-Walters, a multi-award winning comedian and actor from Huddersfield. He has been delighting audiences up and down the country with his idiosyncratic style of outrageous character comedy.

His “mesmerising and unpredictable presence” Chortle  performing as Frankie saw him win the 2023 BBC New Comedy Award at Glasgow’s Kings Theatre, while his debut solo offering won best show at the Leicester Comedy Festival earlier this year. Prior to his BBC success Joe won the 2021 Chortle Student Comedy Award which saw him play the main comedy stage at Latitude festival and tour Australia, performing at the Sydney Comedy Store.

If his early career doings are anything to go by he’s likely to be a superbly sinister and weird heir to the throne of Reeves and Mortimer.

AND YOUR RESIDENT HOST:

BEN VAN DER VELDE

One of the quickest wits around and a much-loved compere, he always brings a jam-packed back of nonsense, silliness and wisecracks to every gig he hosts.

"Wonderfully improvised riffs showcasing his impressive spontaneity and sharp tongue." Edinburgh Festivals Magazine

“The perfect comedy club host – he is a master of audience interaction. The audience weren’t just warmed up, but pretty hysterical even before the first act of the night hit the stage.”  Huffington Post