Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Nick Doody, Ben Van der Velde, and host Hal Branson

Show details:

Nick Doody

Dave Gorman tour support

Nick Doody has been performing comedy since the 90s when, as a student, he got off to a pretty good start by supporting the legendary Bill Hicks, at Bill's request. A little later, Nick was a finalist in Channel 4's So You Think You're Funny? competition.

Since then he has performed all over the world: Ireland, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Estonia... You get the idea. He was the first British comedian to perform in Croatia.

Nick has appeared on various radio and TV shows, and is also much in demand as a writer. He has penned jokes for Joan Rivers, Lenny Henry, Dame Edna Everage and an uncomfortable number of Mock The Week regulars. He was also the creator and head writer of Bigipedia, a critically acclaimed Radio 4 show that broadcast in 2009 and 2011.

In 2006, Nick performed his first solo Edinburgh Festival show, Before He Kills Again. The show received rave reviews and sold out for the whole festival, leading to a run at the Soho Theatre. Since then, Nick has written and performed another six solo hours of stand-up, including the most honest title ever to appear on a poster, Look At This Massive Picture Of My Face.

“All hail Nick Doody... true comedy gold: polished, rich in material and a find among all the fools” - Metro

“This is simply the best unadulterated, gimmick-free hour of pure stand-up I’ve seen so far this Fringe” - Chortle

“A no-nonsense stand up comic who is genuinely funny” - Three Weeks

 

Ben Van der Velde

Ben Van der Velde is a stand-up comedian, actor, improviser and presenter, who, over the past few years, has spread joy and nonsense to all four corners of the British Isles, as well as Greece, Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Norway.

He is a regular host and act for many respected British comedy clubs, as well as hosting stages for Bestival, Festival No.6 and Sunday Papers Live. He also has experience of performing at RAF bases, large corporate events, hosting comedy workshops, and doing audience warm-up for Deal Or No Deal.

Ben is a also regular performer at the Edinburgh Festival, where he has performed three critically-acclaimed shows: Chain Letter, Strudelhead and Barbarians. In 2016 his show received 5 and 4 star reviews, whilst several of the jokes made it into lists of ‘Best Joke at the Fringe’ compiled by The Scotsman, i-News and The Huffington Post.

“Whipsharp... with an air of mischievous mayhem... his hit rate is impressive, while his in-the-moment style creates a buzz of excitement in the room” - Chortle

“Wonderfully improvised riffs showcasing his impressive spontaneity and sharp tongue” - Edinburgh Festivals Magazine

“On flights of fancy, he pushes ideas to extremes and displays a crackling, spontaneous energy in which we’re swept up” - Fest

 

Hal Branson

One third of award winning sketch group Hot Gulp and one whole of himself, Hal Branson is an established comedian regularly seen at festivals and comedy clubs throughout the UK.

Bizarre and hilarious anecdotes from his eccentric upbringing along with his trademark physical performance and big silly face make Hal a firm favourite on any comedy line up.

Recent tour support for Dylan Moran, Sam Simmons and Jess Fostekew.

As seen / heard on Sky Arts, 5 Live and BBC Newcastle.

“Clever, likeable and with a great eye for detail. Effortlessly watchable” - NARC magazine

“An understated comedy gem” - The Huffington Post

“Hal Branson has natural affability in spades, and his self-referential storytelling is as heart-warming as his wordplay, hitting home with the audience throughout” - Gigglebeats

 

 

This show will also feature a newer act in the middle.

 

Note: Line-ups are subject to change in extreme, and unavoidable, circumstances.

Show may contain strong language and adult themes.

---

Timings

Doors open: 7:30pm
Show starts: 8pm

---

Buy tickets:

Tickets for this show can be bought online at www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk, in person from Bishop Auckland Town Hall, or telephone 03000 269 524.