Hilarity Bites

Newton Aycliffe, September 15th 2022
2022-09-15 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Steam Machine Brewery, Newton Aycliffe, Steam Machine Brewing Co, 26 Northfield Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6UF, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bitesize New Act & New Material Night, with Danny Posthill, Catherine Young, host Sully O’Sullivan & support
Show details:

Danny Posthill
Britain's Got Talent finalist Danny Posthill’s career began at the young age of 16, making people laugh with hilarious impressions at his school talent show. Since then, comedy became Danny’s passion.
Skilled with a versatile act that caters for all audiences, Danny offers unbeatable stand up and a range of impressions such as Billy Connolly, Jimmy Carr, and Lee Evans, to guarantee an unforgettable night of laughter.
Danny has performed all around the world, from the Mediterranean to South America, and is gaining recognition on the UK circuit as one of the most promising British comedians.
“Impressionist Danny Posthill brings a bevy of other characters with him including Billy Connolly, David Beckham, Gary Barlow, Michael McIntyre, John Bishop, Alan Carr – and is funny in his own right too” - Richard Batson, EDP24
“Effortless performer of the highest quality” - Joke Club Comedy Clubs
“What a talented comedian” - Tim Vine

Catherine Young
Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year 2019
Winner of the Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year 2019, Catherine is quickly making a name for herself as one of the most exciting new acts to come out of the North-East in recent years.
Catherine occasionally absconds from Middlesbrough and the general misery of life, by running round the UK comedy circuit looking for anyone who will listen to her.
From North East and Irish decent, Catherine loves drinking, dancing and telling lies. Her comedy is light-hearted, full of mischievous stories and a warm and friendly humour that provides a short break from the stresses that life deals to us all.

Sully O'Sullivan
Sully O'Sullivan has been declared a highlight of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival by The NZ Herald, a highlight of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival by The Scotsman, featured on Australian TV’s The Comedy Channel, hosted a sellout standup tour of Croatia, won Canada’s annual Improvaganza Tournament, and completed 2 UK national tours supporting cult Heavy Metal Comic Steve Hughes.
First stepping onto a standup stage in June 1998, Sully's talent gained instant recognition as he won his first national standup award less than 12 months later. 9 years on he’s featured in four seasons of New Zealand’s award winning TV standup showcase 'Pulp Comedy', been nominated for the NZ Comedy Industry's supreme award by the NZ Comedy Trust, and nominated by his fellow performers for the title of NZ's Best MC.
“Amazing” - NME
“A blast of hilarity” - Manchester Evening News
“A wicked sense of humour” - BBC

This show will also feature support from several new acts, and established acts performing new material.

Note: Line-ups are subject to change in extreme, and unavoidable, circumstances.
Show may contain strong language and adult themes.

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 per person, with doors opening at 7pm and the show starting at 7:30pm. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Horbury, September 9th 2022
2022-09-09 19:30 - 22:30 | Cluntergate Centre, Horbury, The Cluntergate Centre, Cluntergate, Horbury, Wakefield, WF4 5DA, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Martin Mor, Daisy Earl, Catherine Young, and host Howard Walker
Show details:

Martin Mor
Martin comes from Northern Ireland, and after a successful career as a circus performer, he turned his attention on the unsuspecting comedy circuit. With over 25 years experience as a professional performer, Martin has established himself as one of the UK’s most popular and in-demand comedians. Combining startlingly original material with bold, energetic improvisation, his love of working the audience, and an inability to remember his script, mean that every show is a unique interactive live event, and no two shows are ever the same.
Very much the comedian’s comedian, Martin has been the support act of choice for; Frankie Boyle, Jack Dee, Lee Evans, Jasper Carrot, Patrick Kielty, Johnny Vegas, Steve Coogan, and once Tina Turner. However, in his own right has performed successfully at events of all description; from the Hammersmith Apollo to a show for the inmates of an Italian prison, from comedy clubs to performing before members of the British Royal Family.
With numerous appearances on radio and television, Martin has worked at all levels of the industry; being a warm up man, devising and performing his own television show, and writing jokes for some of the biggest names in British comedy - and his photograph is even featured on the popular board game Trivial Pursuits!
“Martin is the act that has influenced me the most, the UK comedy circuit would not be the same without him” - Frankie Boyle
“Extremely funny” - Peter Kay
“This guy's great” - George Best
“He wore us out with laughter... Irrepressible exuberance” - The Scotsman

Daisy Earl
Chortle Best Newcomer 2016 – WinnerScottish Comedian of the Year 2015 – WinnerScottish Variety Award – Best New Scottish Comedian 2015 – Winner
Daisy Earl has quickly become a comedy circuit favourite, after bursting onto the scene by becoming Scottish Comedian of the Year, Chortle Best Newcomer winner, and providing tour support for Jason Manford, John Bishop, and Tom Stade.
Daisy has appeared on BBC Comedy Underground, BBC Radio 4 Best of the Fest, BBC Scotland’s Breaking The News and at top comedy clubs and festivals both in the UK and internationally, including a sell-out show at the Adelaide Fringe in 2016.
“Crisp storytelling talent and self-deprecating humour, a rare cunning, defiant attitude. Hilarious’” - Chortle
“a perfect night out” - The Adelaide Advertiser
“strikingly honest and hilarious’” - Huffington Post

Catherine Young
Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year 2019
Winner of the Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year 2019, Catherine is quickly making a name for herself as one of the most exciting new acts to come out of the North-East in recent years.
Catherine occasionally absconds from Middlesbrough and the general misery of life, by running round the UK comedy circuit looking for anyone who will listen to her.
From North East and Irish decent, Catherine loves drinking, dancing and telling lies. Her comedy is light-hearted, full of mischievous stories and a warm and friendly humour that provides a short break from the stresses that life deals to us all.

Howard Walker
Hirsute, hospitable, and h-engaging, Howard hails from Yorkshire and proffers oodles of warmth with observations on everyday life. Comedy Cellar New Act Award winner and Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year finalist, with captivating stories he travels the UK to charm and entertain, and find the answer to the age old question; where can you find free parking after 6?
An imaginative storyteller, with a good sense of humour, he likes romantic walks on the beach, dining out, and likes to take any opportunity to pretend he's filling out an online dating profile.
“A natural stage presence, an instantly amenable demeanour, inventive imagery and the best comedic use of a Belgian place name even the most ardent chuckle chaser will ever hear” - Stagefright Comedy
“Howard Walker's oddly hilarious observations bring something different to any comedy programme” - Buzz Comedy
“You almost felt as if you had gone over to a friend’s house and met his really witty mate that could entertain you all night with human observations of the world” - www.ladiestakeon.co.uk

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 are £12.50 per person, and can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Topcliffe, September 6th 2022
2022-09-06 19:30 - 22:30 | The Angel at Topcliffe, The Angel at Topcliffe, Long Street, Topcliffe, YO7 3RW, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Danny McLoughlin, Jojo Sutherland, and host Sully O’Sullivan
Show details:
Replacing Matt Bragg:

Danny McLoughlin
Since his appearance in the 2008 Chortle Student Comedy Award Final, Chester comedian Danny McLoughlin has been making a name for himself across the circuit as a well respected talent. With performances in the prestigious Big Value Comedy Show during the Edinburgh Festival in 2009 & 2010, his quick wit and sharp material has seen Danny firmly establish himself as a sought after act on any stand up bill, regularly performing at every major UK comedy club, music festivals including Latitude & Leeds, as well as being a regular MC for the coveted Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala.
Danny has also been hand-picked to support a number of high profile acts on tour including Micky Flanagan, Sarah Millican, Doc Brown, and Sean Lock. His TV credits include appearing on Al Murray’s One Night Stand (Dave) and the Premier League Show (BBC Two), and he also took to the radio waves to co-host one of Jason Manford’s Sunday morning shows for Absolute Radio.
“His innate comic timing, insightful digressions and ability to think on his feet puts him alongside the most talented and genuinely funny comedians!” - Three Weeks
“McLoughlin’s main weapon is his audacity: he’s so bold that he can recite an advertising jingle or tuck into a snack, and still get plenty of laughs” - Chortle

Jojo Sutherland
Since bursting onto the comedy scene in 2002, Jojo Sutherland has become an unstoppable comedy force, known for being able to expertly garner laughs from every subject she touches on. In 2020 she picked up the Scottish Comedy Award for Best Show, and she is in high demand for comedy clubs throughout the UK & Europe. Her quick fire gags, and outrageously truthful storytelling ability has seen her gracing stages throughout Europe, The Middle East, Iceland and Australia! Jojo is also a repeat return favourite for the military comedy base tour, entertaining the troops stationed overseas.
A favourite tour support  for the likes of US comedy star Louis Ramey (Comedy Central), Tom Stade (Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow), and Kerry Godliman (Ricky Gervais's 'Derek'), Jojo has recently toured with online sensation Jonathan Pie on his nationwide UK tour - which included 2 nights at London's prestigious Hammersmith Apollo and an 8 night run in 2021 at London's Bloomsbury Theatre!
Jojo has also starred on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and in online sitcom ‘MU.F.F' alongside Netflix & HBO star Daniel Sloss. To help glean some new material she even participated in Channel 4's award winning show 'Wife Swap', and she was a standout act on BBC Scotland's 'Comedians at the Kings' which was recorded at Glasgow's renowned 1,700 seat Kings Theatre!
“You need to go and see this show.. you will laugh... a LOT” - The Scotsman
“A performer the audience could have watched all night!” - The Herald
“Outclassed her colleagues!” - Edinburgh Evening News

Sully O'Sullivan
Sully O'Sullivan has been declared a highlight of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival by The NZ Herald, a highlight of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival by The Scotsman, featured on Australian TV’s The Comedy Channel, hosted a sellout standup tour of Croatia, won Canada’s annual Improvaganza Tournament, and completed 2 UK national tours supporting cult Heavy Metal Comic Steve Hughes.
First stepping onto a standup stage in June 1998, Sully's talent gained instant recognition as he won his first national standup award less than 12 months later. 9 years on he’s featured in four seasons of New Zealand’s award winning TV standup showcase 'Pulp Comedy', been nominated for the NZ Comedy Industry's supreme award by the NZ Comedy Trust, and nominated by his fellow performers for the title of NZ's Best MC.
“Amazing” - NME
“A blast of hilarity” - Manchester Evening News
“A wicked sense of humour” - BBC

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 are £10 per person if bought in advance, or £12 on the day. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Ripon, September 6th 2022
2022-09-06 19:30 - 22:30 | Arts Hub, Ripon, 49a Allhallowgate, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Jojo Sutherland, Danny McLoughlin, and host Lee Kyle
Show details:

Jojo Sutherland
Since bursting onto the comedy scene in 2002, Jojo Sutherland has become an unstoppable comedy force, known for being able to expertly garner laughs from every subject she touches on. In 2020 she picked up the Scottish Comedy Award for Best Show, and she is in high demand for comedy clubs throughout the UK & Europe. Her quick fire gags, and outrageously truthful storytelling ability has seen her gracing stages throughout Europe, The Middle East, Iceland and Australia! Jojo is also a repeat return favourite for the military comedy base tour, entertaining the troops stationed overseas.
A favourite tour support  for the likes of US comedy star Louis Ramey (Comedy Central), Tom Stade (Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow), and Kerry Godliman (Ricky Gervais's 'Derek'), Jojo has recently toured with online sensation Jonathan Pie on his nationwide UK tour - which included 2 nights at London's prestigious Hammersmith Apollo and an 8 night run in 2021 at London's Bloomsbury Theatre!
Jojo has also starred on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and in online sitcom ‘MU.F.F' alongside Netflix & HBO star Daniel Sloss. To help glean some new material she even participated in Channel 4's award winning show 'Wife Swap', and she was a standout act on BBC Scotland's 'Comedians at the Kings' which was recorded at Glasgow's renowned 1,700 seat Kings Theatre!
“You need to go and see this show.. you will laugh... a LOT” - The Scotsman
“A performer the audience could have watched all night!” - The Herald
“Outclassed her colleagues!” - Edinburgh Evening News

Replacing Matt Bragg:

Danny McLoughlin
Since his appearance in the 2008 Chortle Student Comedy Award Final, Chester comedian Danny McLoughlin has been making a name for himself across the circuit as a well respected talent. With performances in the prestigious Big Value Comedy Show during the Edinburgh Festival in 2009 & 2010, his quick wit and sharp material has seen Danny firmly establish himself as a sought after act on any stand up bill, regularly performing at every major UK comedy club, music festivals including Latitude & Leeds, as well as being a regular MC for the coveted Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala.
Danny has also been hand-picked to support a number of high profile acts on tour including Micky Flanagan, Sarah Millican, Doc Brown, and Sean Lock. His TV credits include appearing on Al Murray’s One Night Stand (Dave) and the Premier League Show (BBC Two), and he also took to the radio waves to co-host one of Jason Manford’s Sunday morning shows for Absolute Radio.
“His innate comic timing, insightful digressions and ability to think on his feet puts him alongside the most talented and genuinely funny comedians!” - Three Weeks
“McLoughlin’s main weapon is his audacity: he’s so bold that he can recite an advertising jingle or tuck into a snack, and still get plenty of laughs” - Chortle

Lee Kyle
In his never ending quest not to have a proper job, Lee Kyle spent time as part of an all male Spice Girls tribute act before spending a decade as a professional wrestler.
Managing the difficult trick of being both odd and relatable, he did a show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013 that he heard was well received but he doesn't read reviews because his psyche is too fragile to handle them so he isn't totally sure what they said.
Armed with props and a rapid gag rate he cuts a confident, if off-beat figure on stage. His jokes veer between the clever and the silly and deliver more than their fair share of belly laughs.
“Had everyone on their feet - Sublimely ridiculous” - The Northern Echo
“A brilliant performance.. Pure genius!” - NARC Magazine
“Quirky and original - the highlight of the night” - Giggle Beats

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 are £10 per person, with doors opening at 7:30pm and the show starting at 8pm. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Darlington, September 3rd 2022
2022-09-03 14:00 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
Last Train Home Festival – Comedy Stage
Show details:

Hilarity Bites are pleased as punch to be programming the comedy stage once more at Last Train Home Festival at The Forum on Saturday 3rd September.
More details on everything that’s happening at the festival can be found at the Last Train Home website, but the comedy line-up is as follows:

Early Show (2pm – 4pm):
Host Rob Mulholland
Rachel Jackson
Sam Serrano
Pete Otway
Evening Show (5pm – 7pm):
Host Rob Mulholland
Anja Atkinson
Jack Fox
Dave Johns
Late Show (8pm – 10pm):
Host Andy Fury
Catherine Young
Bryan James
Duncan Oakley

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £15 per person (plus booking fee), and are available to buy online from Skiddle.

Hartlepool, August 28th 2022
2022-08-28 19:00 - 22:00 | Hops & Cheese, Hartlepool, 9-11 Tower Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7HH, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bitesize New Act & New Material Night, with David Hadingham, Kelli! Taylor, host Andy Fury & support
Show details:

David Hadingham
Like a mad Phil Daniels, Dave Hadingham is a bulldog of a comedian, and the animal allegories don't stop there. In an affectionately, snarling, ranting and raving set, Dave is not afraid to make you laugh about anything (remember the dogs).
At his best in the live arena, Dave has been a professional comic since May 1996. Intense and anecdotal, he keeps audiences hooked right up to the last punchline as he presents his unique and often warped view of everyday life.
This gravel-voiced comic combines supremely controlled delivery with inimitable facial contortions as he cracks some of the best handmade gags in the business.
Dave is a highly-regarded regular on the nationwide comedy circuit, headlining at all of the biggest clubs in the UK and also performing at resorts across Europe.
“ranting and raving comic genius” - The Guardian
“Hilariously funny with notable precision and charisma” - The Scotsman

Kelli! Taylor
Kelli! Taylor is Hull's Best Celebrity Hairdresser.
Welcome to her world where she’s everything to everyone from agony aunt to life coach plus influencer, singer, song-writer, actor, dancer, choreographer, psychic, empath, healer, foodie, wheat intolerance survivor, friend.
Most of all she’s likeable and funny!
“Funny, original and quite possibly mental” - Gary Delaney
“Hilarious” - Justin Moorhouse
“Stop telling people you know me” - Derren Brown

Andy Fury
Despite starting comedy out of “sheer boredom” just a few years ago, Andy Fury has impressed a lot of people in a short space of time with a wonderful mix of self-deprecating dark jokes and off the wall surrealism.
With a laidback stage presence that sometimes borders horizontal, he’s as hard-working as he is funny and winning the Hilarity Bites New Act Of The Year 2010 title has put Andy on the path to working at many of the best clubs in the country, wowing audiences the length and breadth of the UK.
“An absolute genius of a comedian” - BBC
“Brilliant... The next Pub Landlord of comedy” - Hexham Courant
“A very funny man with a big future ahead of him” - Corby Radio

This show will also feature support from several new acts, and established acts performing new material.

Note: Line-ups are subject to change in extreme, and unavoidable, circumstances.
Show may contain strong language and adult themes.

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

Buy tickets:
This show forms part of the Deep North Festival, and entry is free with a festival wristband. For more information regarding wristbands, and the festival, please visit the festival Facebook page.

Bishop Auckland, August 19th 2022
2022-08-19 19:30 - 22:30 | Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Tom Houghton, Clayton Jones, and host Cal Halbert
Show details:

Tom Houghton
Tom Houghton was previously 1/5th of comedy troupe "The Noise Next Door" and is now taking the comedy circuit by storm with his quick wit, and charming persona.
Regularly performing up and down the country and abroad - as well as touring the country in his own sell-out solo showss - you may even have caught him on Netflix's "The Circle", Channel Four's "First Dates Hotel", or at his sell-out debut Edinburgh Fringe show, which went on tour in early 2018. Tom is also hugely popular on social media, with millions of views across all platforms.
Strap in and be prepared to have your funny bones tickled and your levels of decency questioned by one of the hottest acts around.
“this unexpected tour de force warrants a 21-gun salute” - ★★★★ – The Daily Telegraph
“Please take my advice. Get a ticket today. Tomorrow may well be too late. A Star is Born” - ★★★★★ – One 4 Review
“The long awaited male answer to Bridget Jones made flesh” - ★★★★ – The Daily Telegraph

Clayton Jones
Last Minute Comedy Comedian of The Year 2017 - winnerEnglish Comedian of the Year 2017 - finalist
Clayton has been performing comedy since 2013 and has established himself as a regular on the UK comedy circuit including shows at the Edinburgh Festival 2015 and Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 alongside appearances at all the top comedy clubs.
An observational comedian with an hilarious take on everyday life with very cleverly crafted comedy, Clayton’s act covers everyday topics of marriage, kids, being mixed raced, school life, and growing up in London.
In 2014 Clayton was a finalist in the Southport Comedian of the Year, Frog & Bucket World Series and Liverpool Comedian of the Year. In 2017 he was the winner of the Last Minute Comedy Comedian Of The Year and a finalist in the English Comedian Of The Year.
“This dude has funny bones” - Romesh Ranganathan
“Very funny & confident. That earned him a huge round of applause from 2000+ bikers!” - BSH Magazine
“A comedy performance that has impressed many” - Frog & Bucket Comedy Club

Cal Halbert
Deemed 'the new generation of comedy' by Michael McIntyre, Cal Halbert has performed from local comedy clubs to the London Palladium, Britain's Got Talent to Good Morning Britain and voiced for YouTube to the BBC.
Well known as an impressionist, Halbert is one half of 'The Mimic Men', the UK's only impressionist double act! The Mimic Men appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2016, gaining four yeses accompanied by a standing ovation by the judges, audience, and Ant and Dec.
“Very good” - Simon Cowell
“Uncanny imitations” - The Sun
“Impersonator genius” - Sunderland Echo

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.

Darlington, August 11th 2022
2022-08-11 19:30 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
*** Tickets for this show are now sold-out ***
Dan Nightingale’s Working It Out
Show details:

A full show of very funny stand-up comedy from one of the very best circuit comedians in the UK.
After the huge success of Dan’s podcast ‘Have A Word’, he’ll be going out on a national tour in the Autumn of ’22, but before he does he’ll be developing that show at preview gigs like this one.
With full support from a comedian mate who’s been on the podcast, you know it’s going to be a Smasher.

“We’re laughing. Dan’s laughing… Funny as hell” – Leicester Mercury
“Magnetic, entertaining and wonderfully friendly” – Three Weeks

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £8.50 per person, and should be booked in the group size that you wish to sit in. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Darlington, August 6th 2022
2022-08-06 19:30 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Mike Newall, Tony Cowards, and host Danny Deegan
Show details:

Mike Newall
A gentle, amiable power-house of a comic, Mike’s timing is the envy of performers with ten times the experience and is living proof that you can’t learn to be funny, some people just are. Since making his debut in 2003, he has toured the country honing his skills and is now a force to be reckoned with.
A talent who audiences, colleagues and industry-types alike are really sitting up and taking notice of, Mike Newall is the future of the Manchester scene, as cheering crowds from Penzance to Inverness will happily testify.
A regular on the festival circuit since 2010, Mike has performed four well-received Edinburgh Fringe shows, as well as supporting Alun Cochrane on several UK tours.
“well-crafted jokes, great call-backs and a wonderfully dry delivery” - Three Weeks
“There’s something strangely elegiac about these modest little insights into his life that make them more than just average observational comedy... Impressive stuff” - Chortle
“Perfectly crafted … Pin sharp, his control is deft and his hair is immaculate” - The Scotsman

Tony Cowards
Tony is a rapidfire gag merchant with an arsenal full of one-liners, for laughs-per-minute he's a tough act to beat!
His quick wit has made him a sought after act and compere by comedy clubs and promoters across the UK and even for gigs worldwide. Something of a Twitter sensation, Tony's jokes turn up in all sorts of places, from greetings cards to The Times newspaper, even if you've never heard of him there's a good chance that you'll have laughed at one of his gags.
Tony’s likable ‘everyman’ character and wide ranging humour (mostly clean) means he is comfortable in front of any audience and is regularly booked for comedy nights for the military, universities, sports clubs, festivals and after-dinner work. In July 2014, Tony placed third in the English Comedian of the Year Competition.
“Tony Cowards as the MC skilfully whipped the full house into a state of rapture in anticipation of the evening's special guest” - Three Weeks
“The best joke writer around” - GQ
“The Punosaurus” - The List
“A beaut of a one-liner merchant” - LondonisFunny.com

Danny Deegan
Danny Deegan is a comedian, writer and actor who began performing in 2003 and has since risen steadily through the ranks of some of the most prestigious comedy clubs in the UK. His tales of mischief and the characters he creates have kept audiences all over the country enthralled as he weaves in and out of the people he has met travelling. His talent and likability coupled with a confident swagger see him as one of the most popular acts in the North.
Fresh from a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, where he received rave reviews, Danny also recently performed a headline set at the Green Man festival in South Wales getting a great reception from the 400 people in the marquee and being asked to wrap up for Manchester band Doves after their headline set in front of 12,000 people.
Outside of live work Danny has made several TV and radio appearances. From being a guest on Radio GMR to having his own show "Afternoons with Danny Deegan" on CAT FM in Crewe. His TV credits include appearances on "Made in the North" and "The Adam and Shelley Show" to name but two.
“His seamless interactions with the crowd demonstrate that he’s a natural-born comedian... appealing to both the young and old, female and male” - Three Weeks
“Charming, witty and most importantly funny” - Metro
“Deegan has a mature confidence in his abilities” - Chortle

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 are £10 per person. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Hartlepool, August 4th 2022
2022-08-04 19:00 - 22:00 | Hops & Cheese, Hartlepool, 9-11 Tower Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7HH, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bitesize New Act & New Material Night, with Tom Taylor, Chris Brooker, host Tony Jameson & support
Show details:

Tom Taylor
2015 Yorkshire Comedian of the Year
Multi-award winning comedian Tom Taylor has received high praise from audiences and critics alike. His unique brand of musical comedy is smart and silly in equal measure and he can boast an impressive stock of quirky, and very funny, musical one-liners.
In 2013 Tom reached the final of the prestigious So You Think You're Funny? competition, previously won by Dylan Moran, Lee Mack and Peter Kay. In 2014, he reached the final of the Hobgoblin Comedy Award and, the following year, won the inaugural Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of the Year competition.
Recently, Tom has performed on Radio 2 and Radio 4 Extra as part of the BBC Radio New Comedy Award and has supported Simon Munnery on tour.
“His brand of nervous, neurotic musical comedy is an absolute delight” - The Skinny

Chris Brooker
One of comedy’s heavy hitters, Chris Brooker’s infectious energy and enthusiasm sweeps through a room like an irresistible force. Chris’ combination of hilarious, original material and inspired improvisation means that you will never see the same routine twice. Immensely likeable, there’s no doubting his ability to win over any crowd and drag them along for the ride.
Described only half-accurately as comedy's ginger viking, Chris has taken his brand of comedy and compering all over the UK as well to the US and Canada. In 2008 he made history when he became the first foreign player to be chosen for the All-Star team at the ComedySportz World Championship in Portland, Oregon. Currently in high demand as an MC due to his ability to energise a room and think on his feet, Chris is also a polished performer with three full length solo shows under his belt. The most recent of which, Unstoppable, played to glowing reviews on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Very funny, very quick... On the spot humour” - BBC
“The best act of the night, his quick wit silencing hecklers and getting plenty of laughs” - Manchester Evening News
“A fitting finale, had the audience in stitches” - Student Online

Tony Jameson
Since starting in September, 2008, Tony Jameson has established himself firmly as one of the brightest prospects in the North East comedy scene.
With his whimsical rambling manner, or flight of fancy, Tony takes audiences on a tour of the inner workings of his mind and the strange things that happen in his life. Fleeting from whimsy to dark one-liners, before stopping for a cup of tea and a breather. It’s a bit like a small child who always asks ‘why?’ His observations are well thought out, keeping the audience on their toes and intrigued, eager to see where his journey will take them.
In 2014 Tony had an exceptional run at the Edinburgh Festival, following a sell-out run in 2013 with his critically acclaimed show Football Manager Ruined My Life, which he then toured throughout Winter 2014, before taking it back on the road in 2015.
“Tony Jameson delivered both an imaginatively amusing and well received performance...” - Three Weeks
“Terrific... Wonderful... Life-affirming stuff...” - The Skinny
“The latest Geordie with massive potential” - Yorkshire Evening Press

This show will also feature support from several new acts, and established acts performing new material.

Note: Line-ups are subject to change in extreme, and unavoidable, circumstances.
Show may contain strong language and adult themes.

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 per person, with doors opening at 7pm and the show starting at 7:30pm. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Topcliffe, August 2nd 2022
2022-08-02 19:30 - 22:30 | The Angel at Topcliffe, The Angel at Topcliffe, Long Street, Topcliffe, YO7 3RW, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Matt Reed, Hayley Ellis, and host Pete Otway
Show details:

Matt Reed
Born and bred in Sunderland, Matt's affable style has won him fans across the UK. He effortlessly plays with the crowd with a natural rapport that is found in few comics. Matt, always ready, never disappointing will always make a good gig - great.
In 2015 Matt took his debut show to the Edinburgh Fringe, retelling the four year ordeal of how he was stalked and cat-fished by an online admirer. The show won rave reviews from critics and audience alike, with Matt playing to sell-out audiences.
With so many gigs of every size under his belt, from audiences of 3000 to 30, there is pretty much no comedy situation Matt can't handle. As pleasant as he is wonderfully brutal, Matt is a welcome addition to any comedy night entertaining the crowd while skillfully destroying any heckler that crosses his path.
“Absolutely hilarious... had the crowd rolling around” - BBC
“Brilliant... always original one of the newest stars of comedy” - The Leeds Guide
“Brilliantly handled a very difficult room, this fashionably unkempt lad will go far” - Swansea Telegraph

Replacing Jenny Collier:

Hayley Ellis
Edinburgh Fringe: 25 funniest jokes of all-time - The IndependentEdinburgh Fringe: Best 21 jokes told at the festival in the last decade - The Mirror
Manchester comedian and former regular contributor to XFM’s breakfast show, Hayley Ellis has gone from strength to strength since she began performing.
A regular MC at gigs around the country, Hayley’s natural warmth and charm make her impossible to dislike, something which has become evident in her success in new act competitions throughout the UK.
Hayley has also become a regular sight gag contributor for the Russell Howard’s Good News television programme, and has appeared on MTV’s “Why aye love Geordie Shore” and “Comedy Set Lists” for Virgin television. She can also sometimes be heard on your wireless (Absolute Radio), and her sketches and jokes have appeared on Newsjack (Radio 4).
“Ellis is a talent” - Fest
“Hayley Ellis always makes me laugh off and on stage” - Sarah Millican
“A great hour of stand-up” - Northern Soul

Pete Otway
Since starting to perform in 2010, Pete Otway has quickly gained momentum, establishing himself as an extremely strong new act. As comfortable and confident as an MC as he is an act, he is booked regularly to do both, and was a recent finalist in the 2012 BBC New Comedy Awards.
With an affable and conversational style, mixed with an energetic stage manner and original writing, Pete is quickly making a name for himself on the UK circuit, and is certainly one to watch.
“Devastatingly funny” - Chortle
“Amiable, cheeky classic stand-up” - Liverpool Echo
“An amazing comedy talent, and we are making sure we are making sure we follow his every move in his ever rising career” - Crispy Comedy Club

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 are £10 per person if bought in advance, or £12 on the day. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Ripon, August 2nd 2022
2022-08-02 19:30 - 22:30 | Arts Hub, Ripon, 49a Allhallowgate, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Hayley Ellis, Matt Reed, and host Karen Bayley
Show details:
Replacing Jenny Collier:

Hayley Ellis
Edinburgh Fringe: 25 funniest jokes of all-time - The IndependentEdinburgh Fringe: Best 21 jokes told at the festival in the last decade - The Mirror
Manchester comedian and former regular contributor to XFM’s breakfast show, Hayley Ellis has gone from strength to strength since she began performing.
A regular MC at gigs around the country, Hayley’s natural warmth and charm make her impossible to dislike, something which has become evident in her success in new act competitions throughout the UK.
Hayley has also become a regular sight gag contributor for the Russell Howard’s Good News television programme, and has appeared on MTV’s “Why aye love Geordie Shore” and “Comedy Set Lists” for Virgin television. She can also sometimes be heard on your wireless (Absolute Radio), and her sketches and jokes have appeared on Newsjack (Radio 4).
“Ellis is a talent” - Fest
“Hayley Ellis always makes me laugh off and on stage” - Sarah Millican
“A great hour of stand-up” - Northern Soul

Matt Reed
Born and bred in Sunderland, Matt's affable style has won him fans across the UK. He effortlessly plays with the crowd with a natural rapport that is found in few comics. Matt, always ready, never disappointing will always make a good gig - great.
In 2015 Matt took his debut show to the Edinburgh Fringe, retelling the four year ordeal of how he was stalked and cat-fished by an online admirer. The show won rave reviews from critics and audience alike, with Matt playing to sell-out audiences.
With so many gigs of every size under his belt, from audiences of 3000 to 30, there is pretty much no comedy situation Matt can't handle. As pleasant as he is wonderfully brutal, Matt is a welcome addition to any comedy night entertaining the crowd while skillfully destroying any heckler that crosses his path.
“Absolutely hilarious... had the crowd rolling around” - BBC
“Brilliant... always original one of the newest stars of comedy” - The Leeds Guide
“Brilliantly handled a very difficult room, this fashionably unkempt lad will go far” - Swansea Telegraph

Karen Bayley
Karen began her comedy career back in 2000 and since then has gone from strength to strength. Her bold, no nonsense attitude strikes a perfect pitch with men and women alike, and she is equally at home compering or performing sets.
Karen is also resident compere of her own clubs in Sutton Coldfield and Solihull, with her claim to fame to date being that she was the first woman (in its history) to win the King Gong show at The Comedy Store.
Karen has also worked in TV and radio, including appearances on the BBC New Comedy Awards (BBC3),  The Last Word (ITV1),  Sex on the Job (Sky 1), and  100 Greatest Cartoons (Channel 4).
“Laugh out loud jokes and superb audience control” - Chortle
“Likeable headstrong persona- packing a considerable performing punch” - The List
“She blew my socks off” - BBC

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 are £10 per person, with doors opening at 7:30pm and the show starting at 8pm. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Malton, July 29th 2022
2022-07-29 19:30 - 22:00 | Milton Rooms, Malton, 2-4 Market Place, Malton, YO17 7LX, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Sam Avery, Stephanie Laing, and host Cal Halbert
Show details:

Sam Avery
Sam Avery wanted to be a rock star. It nearly happened.
Despite being signed up by BMG Records at the age of 17 (he had to resign from his beloved paper round), and subsequent tours with Motorhead and Ice T, the story soon took a familiar turn. Contracts were anulled, money was stolen and before he knew it he was back at the paper shop asking for his fluorescent bag back. He had crap hair anyway.
Subsequent jobs (including a brief stint as a stockbroker) failed to excite him the way the smell of sweat and snakebite had and it wasn't long before he turned to stand-up, soon making the final of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition, and finishing runner-up in the City Life North-West Comedian of the Year competition.
Friendly and enthusiastic, his observational style instantly puts audiences at ease allowing him to regale them with his tales of everyday life. Sam has gained a reputation for being able to spark the dullest of rooms into life with his warm, infectious humour and quick wit which makes him ideal as either an act or compere.
Sam is also known as The Learner Parent, the blog that he started which has lead to a best-selling book and sold-out UK tour.
“Quick wit and painfully funny” - Metro
“A must” - Sunday Times
“A gifted storyteller” - The List

Stephanie Laing
Goofy and peculiar, Stephanie Laing’s comedy is partway between the needy oddness of Maria Bamford and the upbeat affability of Josie Long. Her material is a mix of silliness, filth and unusual observations, underpinned by a disarming honesty which makes her seem charmingly vulnerable.
A regular on the circuit Stephanie has also become a stalwart of comedy festivals across the country having appeared at Brighton Fringe, Leicester Comedy Festival, York Comedy Festival, Bath Comedy Festival, Women in Comedy Festival as well as appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe every year since 2010. Not content with just performing in the UK Stephanie has also appeared at UCB in New York & The Laugh Factory in L.A.
Most recently in 2018 Stephanie took her solo show ‘Mad About The Boy’ to the Melbourne, Adelaide & Perth comedy festivals.
“Laing is a jovial, baby faced performer who comes across as utterly unencumbered, so it doesn’t especially feel like adult humour when it plainly is... Laing has a Sarah Millican-esque appeal” - Chortle
“Disgusting and delightful in equal measure. She is definitely one to watch” - Three Weeks
“Gloriously silly … wonderfully unpretentious” - Broadway Baby

Cal Halbert
Deemed 'the new generation of comedy' by Michael McIntyre, Cal Halbert has performed from local comedy clubs to the London Palladium, Britain's Got Talent to Good Morning Britain and voiced for YouTube to the BBC.
Well known as an impressionist, Halbert is one half of 'The Mimic Men', the UK's only impressionist double act! The Mimic Men appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2016, gaining four yeses accompanied by a standing ovation by the judges, audience, and Ant and Dec.
“Very good” - Simon Cowell
“Uncanny imitations” - The Sun
“Impersonator genius” - Sunderland Echo

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 per person and are only available to buy from TicketSource. Click here to buy tickets.

Darlington, July 26th 2022
2022-07-26 19:30 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
Justin Moorhouse & Lauren Pattison (Preview shows)
Show details:

Justin Moorhouse – Stretch & Think (Preview)
Justin is back: still funny, yet middle-aged. A brand-new show that may contain: yoga, getting older, Madonna, shoplifters, labradoodles, middle-aged cyclists, The Menopause, running, hating football fans but loving football, not drinking, funerals, ‘Is tapas a rip off?’, Captain Tom, Droylsden, the environment, self-improvement, ruining a sexual position, electric car charging spots used by doggers, nursery graduation, horses, Stig lookalikes, home-cooked food but not in your own home, the odd advantages of fundamental religions, the gym, shop-door etiquette.
And he’s got a new suit. Come, it’ll be fun.
“Easily my favourite comedian” – Jimmy Carr
“Moorhouse charms the pants off the crowd” – Sunday Times
“Simultaneously down to earth and out of this world” – The Sunday Times

Lauren Pattison – It Is What It Is (Preview)
Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee Lauren Pattison is back with her brand-new show.
She is almost reluctant to say what it is about because if she’s learned anything lately, it’s life can change fast… but it is what it is. Maybe sometimes everything needs to fall apart for you to end up exactly where you were meant to be?
As seen on Stand Up for Live Comedy (BBC), Comedy Central at the Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Roast Battle (Comedy Central) and supporting Katherine Ryan on tour.
“a star of the future … Lauren Pattison looks set for fame” – The List
“Even when packing a punch, her demeanour is breezy, frank and friendly, making her wickedly engaging company… a fully equipped comedian” – Chortle
“Fast, forthright and filthy” – The Guardian

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 each. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Darlington, July 20th 2022
2022-07-20 19:30 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
Lou Conran & Eddy Brimson (Preview shows)
Show rescheduled from February 2022.
Show details:

Lou Conran: A Show
Winner of the Best MC Award 2020/21, Lou brings her new show to your ears.
A show filled with hilarity, an undignified manner and a devil may care attitude.
”A masterclass in long form comedy” “As filthy as she is fabulous, Lou Conran is a superlative storyteller.”
Lou Conran’s cream is rising, catch it now before it curdles.

“Hilarious” – The Scotsman
“Naturally funny” – Sarah Millican
“You’re not Joan Rivers” – Lynne from Grimsby

Eddy Brimson: A Comedian
It’s a funny old game comedy. Well it should be any way.
A show about the reality of life as a comedian. The highs, the lows, and why it’s the best job in the world.
There’ll also be a fair bit of titting about.

“The crowd loved him” – The Guardian
“Quite simply brilliant” – Sky
“Engaging and Compelling, Brimson doesn’t f*@k about” – Three Weeks

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 each and can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Bishop Auckland, July 15th 2022
2022-07-15 19:30 - 22:30 | Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Matt Reed, Jack Campbell, and host Andy Fury
Show details:
Replacing Matt Richardson:

Matt Reed
Born and bred in Sunderland, Matt's affable style has won him fans across the UK. He effortlessly plays with the crowd with a natural rapport that is found in few comics. Matt, always ready, never disappointing will always make a good gig - great.
In 2015 Matt took his debut show to the Edinburgh Fringe, retelling the four year ordeal of how he was stalked and cat-fished by an online admirer. The show won rave reviews from critics and audience alike, with Matt playing to sell-out audiences.
With so many gigs of every size under his belt, from audiences of 3000 to 30, there is pretty much no comedy situation Matt can't handle. As pleasant as he is wonderfully brutal, Matt is a welcome addition to any comedy night entertaining the crowd while skillfully destroying any heckler that crosses his path.
“Absolutely hilarious... had the crowd rolling around” - BBC
“Brilliant... always original one of the newest stars of comedy” - The Leeds Guide
“Brilliantly handled a very difficult room, this fashionably unkempt lad will go far” - Swansea Telegraph

Jack Campbell
English Comedian Of The Year 2014Short listed for BBC Radio New Comedy Award Final 2014Tour Support for Larry Dean, Dane Baptiste and Luisa Omielan
Jack Campbell began performing stand-up whilst at De Montfort University, Leicester in 2010 and has been performing regularly since. He performed his one-man show at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015 and 2016 and has performed across Europe in Germany, Estonia, Finland and Latvia as well as further afield in Australia.
“Funny and refreshingly inventive” - House of Stand Up
“100% Funny, gets hearty laughs” - Broadway Baby

Andy Fury
Despite starting comedy out of “sheer boredom” just a few years ago, Andy Fury has impressed a lot of people in a short space of time with a wonderful mix of self-deprecating dark jokes and off the wall surrealism.
With a laidback stage presence that sometimes borders horizontal, he’s as hard-working as he is funny and winning the Hilarity Bites New Act Of The Year 2010 title has put Andy on the path to working at many of the best clubs in the country, wowing audiences the length and breadth of the UK.
“An absolute genius of a comedian” - BBC
“Brilliant... The next Pub Landlord of comedy” - Hexham Courant
“A very funny man with a big future ahead of him” - Corby Radio

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.

Thirsk, July 13th 2022
2022-07-13 19:00 - 22:00 | The Courthouse, Thirsk, The Old Courthouse, Westgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1QS, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Scott Bennett, Kieran Lawless, and host Sully O’Sullivan
Show details:

Scott Bennett
As seen on Live at the ApolloBest show Nominee Leicester Comedy Festival 2019Amused Moose Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee
Star of lock-down hit Stand-Up From The Shed, Scott Bennett is a multi-award winning act, and one of the most popular headliners currently performing in the UK. Delivering wry observations on the absurdity of modern living, his sharply-written routines, drawn from real-life experiences have been delighting audiences across the country.
In 2018 and 2019 Scott was tipped as one of the "ones to watch" by respected industry online magazine, Chortle, following a series of highly rated solo shows, award nominations, and a high-profile tour support slot with TV's Rob Brydon.
As well as working as a succesful stand up comic in his own right, Scott has written for high profile acts including Jason Manford, is a writer for The Chris Ramsey show for Comedy Central and has written for the News Quiz on BBC Radio 4.
Scott has also appeared on BBC's Live a the Apollo, Radio 4’s The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Likely Dads and Elephant in the Room with Sarah Millican, The Summer Festival with Daliso Chaponda, The Comedy Club with Arthur Smith, and Knock Knock with Helen Lederer. He also featured on the BBC One show, Live from The Edinburgh Fringe.
“Fabulous turns of phrase and pungent expressions, superb character creations” - Chortle
“Great material, great delivery, a very funny man” - Rob Brydon
“Brilliantly funny, a joy to watch” - Chris Ramsey

Kieran Lawless
Kieran Lawless is an Irish comedian now based in Manchester. He has worked in comedy clubs across Ireland, the UK & Europe including supporting Patrick Kielty in Dublin's Olympia Theatre.
Well respected in his native Ireland, his television credits include; New Comedy Awards (RTE), The Takeover (RTE), and RED TV (RTE).
Kieran has also won numerous New Comedian awards including The Nothin Butt Funny Comedy award.
“exceedingly entertaining, highly energised and side splittingly funny” - NorthWestEnd.co.uk

Sully O'Sullivan
Sully O'Sullivan has been declared a highlight of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival by The NZ Herald, a highlight of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival by The Scotsman, featured on Australian TV’s The Comedy Channel, hosted a sellout standup tour of Croatia, won Canada’s annual Improvaganza Tournament, and completed 2 UK national tours supporting cult Heavy Metal Comic Steve Hughes.
First stepping onto a standup stage in June 1998, Sully's talent gained instant recognition as he won his first national standup award less than 12 months later. 9 years on he’s featured in four seasons of New Zealand’s award winning TV standup showcase 'Pulp Comedy', been nominated for the NZ Comedy Industry's supreme award by the NZ Comedy Trust, and nominated by his fellow performers for the title of NZ's Best MC.
“Amazing” - NME
“A blast of hilarity” - Manchester Evening News
“A wicked sense of humour” - BBC

Note: Line-ups are subject to change in extreme, and unavoidable, circumstances.
Show may contain strong language and adult themes.

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show can be bought online at www.ruralarts.org, in person from The Old Courthouse, or telephone 01845 526536.

Horbury, July 8th 2022
2022-07-08 19:30 - 22:30 | Cluntergate Centre, Horbury, The Cluntergate Centre, Cluntergate, Horbury, Wakefield, WF4 5DA, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Duncan Oakley, Andy White & host Barry Dodds
Show details:

Duncan Oakley
Award-winning comedy songwriter Duncan Oakley has been performing on the UK club and festival circuit since 1999. In that time Duncan has appeared on BBC3, Channel 4 and BBC Radio 4 as well as having a lead role as Eddie in Beat 24's feature film Frontman (a film that won awards but sadly never achieved major release despite Oakley being brilliant in it).
Proudly childlike, musical comedian Duncan Oakley can be playful and daft but is always infectiously funny.
Expect big laughs from your inner oaf.
“Leaping between stupidity and pure brilliance” - Yorkshire Evening Post
“Oakley's routine deftly mixes the tunes with the stand-up” - City Life
“Brilliant. A true, funny entertainer” - BAFTA winner Dave Johns

Andy White
Andy White is an energetic, confident and silly Brummie who combines silly voices and a mad afro to devastating comic effect. Andy has numerous media appearences, including the BBC New Comedy Awards on BBC Choice, Brand Spanking New on BBC Radio 7, and his winning performance on the Weakest Link comedian's special! His appearance on the BBC quiz show featured in his five star (***** Three Weeks) Edinburgh show, It Started With A Quiz in 2007. This followed on from his well-received one man show at the 2005 Leicester Comedy Festival: Young, Gifted and Beige.
Andy escaped from a call centre to become a stand up comic who mixes silly voices and faces with observational humour, topical humour and his mixed race background. He can do material that's clever, cheeky, sick or just silly and his performance can shift from deadpan to loud and physical. Andy has played to a wide variety of audiences, adults and children, both at home and abroad, in comedy clubs, theatres, universities, radio and TV shows, and at corporate entertainment events. He regularly headlines up and down the UK and has worked with all the major chains and comedy promoters along the way. Overseas, he's performed in Monte Carlo, Berlin, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai amongst others.
“Had me exercising my pelvic floor muscles to avoid an accident” - BBC
“Undeniably entertaining” - Chortle
“Oozes talent” - What's On Magazine

Barry Dodds
Barry Dodds charms audiences with his unique brand of disarming wit and wry, down-to-earth observational humour.
A self-confessed comedy geek, Barry took to the comedy stage at the tender age of 21 and soon had audiences eating out of the palm of his hand. Using his own combination of irrepressibly cheeky, and surprisingly dark material, he quickly found himself taking the national comedy circuit by storm.
His calm, inclusive persona has ensured that Barry has also proven himself to be a popular and amiable MC, garnering a reputation as a strong and reliable choice to hold a quality line up together. Barry has been awarded Best MC at the Midlands Comedy Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017
Barry is one-half of popular podcast 'The Worriers' with Hayley Ellis, and was also half of the popular Parapod podcast with comedian Ian Boldsworth. Ian and Barry debate the paranormal, explore hauntings, and delve headfirst into the unknown. The Parapod quickly became a cult hit, and was nominated for 'Best Internet' award at the 2016 Chortle Awards.
“If you are a promoter or club owner and aren't booking Barry Dodds then you should hand in your badge and your gun on my desk Monday morning!” - Jason Manford
“Razor sharp humour” - Metro
“wonderfully crafted stories and top–class audience interaction... brings his cheekiness to the stage in absolute buckets” - Bunbury Magazine

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 are £12.50 per person, and can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Darlington, July 7th 2022
2022-07-07 19:30 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
Hayley Ellis: The Invisible Mam
Show details:

Becoming a mum and then going into lockdown is not how Hayley Ellis imagined maternity leave. For starters no one could babysit.
Catfishing mums, buying contraception online and lactating monster energy drink are the new normal along with a lifetime ban from mumsnet.
As heard on Absolute Radio, and seen supporting Sarah Millican on tour.

“Brilliantly funny and a joy to watch” – Sarah Millican
“Sharp, clever and very funny” – The Sunday Post
“An original and very funny lady” – Funny Women

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 per person, and should be booked in the group size that you wish to sit in. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Darlington, July 6th 2022
2022-07-06 19:30 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
Stephen Bailey & Brennan Reece (Preview shows)
Show details:

Stephen Bailey: Sophisticated (Preview)
Live at The Apollo star, host of Takeshi’s Castle and currently supporting Katherine Ryan on tour, Stephen Bailey is a comedian raised on a Manchester council estate. Recently he was told that he is not sophisticated – and he was wearing bronzer.
Tired of being the “GBF” (Gay Best Friend), Stephen’s mission is to simply be Stephen. This preview unpacks his life as a queer, working-class man in a predominately straight, middle-class man’s world onstage.
Stephen’s TV credits also include Celebs on The Farm (C5), Roast Battle (Comedy Central), and Celebrity Coach Trip (E4)
“A superstar in the making” – British Comedy Guide
“Stephen Bailey dominates the stage” – Chortle
“He’s an arch-bitch with a winning smile, everyone’s favourite gay best friend. Bailey’s confident, funny & suitably rude” – The Review’s Hub

Brennan Reece: Crowded (Preview)
Finally allowed to reconnect with human people again, Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee Brennan has forgotten how to do it and needs your help.
You’d think he’d be amazing with crowds after being on Live At The Apollo, Celebrity Coach Trip, Have A Word, and Joe Lycett’s tour. But the world just seems a bit much.
Sounds really “lockdowny” doesn’t it? But it’s not. Promise. It’s a show about you, me and all the others.
“If there is a future, I really hope that this is what its comedy looks like” – ★★★★★ – Voice Magazine
“Hilarious” – ★★★★★ – Chortle
“Superb” – ★★★★ – List

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 each. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Topcliffe, July 5th 2022
2022-07-05 19:30 - 22:30 | The Angel at Topcliffe, The Angel at Topcliffe, Long Street, Topcliffe, YO7 3RW, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Daliso Chaponda, Andrew Bird, and host Karen Bayley
Show details:

Daliso Chaponda
Britain's Got Talent finalist 2017
Daliso shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent and has gone on to amass over 100 million YouTube views, write and star in his critically acclaimed Radio 4 show Citizen of Nowhere, and appear on QI, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, News Quiz and The Now Show.
Daliso began his comedy career in Canada with the acclaimed one man show ‘Feed This Black Man’. Following this, he began honing his craft in comedy clubs across the country, and now he regularly appears in comedy clubs and theatres across the around the world. He has been part of the Melbourne, Edinburgh, Singapore, Cape Town, and Montreal Festivals, as well as touring the UK.
In addition to stand up and radio, Daliso is also a prolific fiction writer. He has published science fiction, murder mysteries and fantasy fiction in numerous magazines and anthologies.
“Full of sharp one-liners and well crafted gags... a real talent to look out for” - ★★★★ - Metro
“He is hot property” - Evening Standard
“An expert entertainer. Gets laughs from topics other comedians shun” - The Guardian

Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is a top headline act at venues up and down the country, and has performed all around the world.
He has been a tour support for Rhod Gilbert, Rob Brydon and on his recent arena tour Michael McIntyre - including Wembley Area and the O2 Arena. He’s also one of only seven comedians to perform for Banksy at Dismal Land.
An in-demand writer, he’s written on TV shows Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Worrier, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown ,and Lee Mack’s Duck Quacks Don’t Echo. Andrew is also a regular guest on BBC Radio’s The Rhod Gilbert Show, and has been the warm-up artist for TV shows including Taskmaster, Nevermind The Buzzcocks, Room 101 and Pointless.
“Comedy gold...Bird’s going to be a star, catch him close-up now” - The Scotsman
“Superb” - Time Out
“Birdie supported me on my arena tour and made me laugh every night. A truly excellent comedian” - Michael McIntyre

Karen Bayley
Karen began her comedy career back in 2000 and since then has gone from strength to strength. Her bold, no nonsense attitude strikes a perfect pitch with men and women alike, and she is equally at home compering or performing sets.
Karen is also resident compere of her own clubs in Sutton Coldfield and Solihull, with her claim to fame to date being that she was the first woman (in its history) to win the King Gong show at The Comedy Store.
Karen has also worked in TV and radio, including appearances on the BBC New Comedy Awards (BBC3),  The Last Word (ITV1),  Sex on the Job (Sky 1), and  100 Greatest Cartoons (Channel 4).
“Laugh out loud jokes and superb audience control” - Chortle
“Likeable headstrong persona- packing a considerable performing punch” - The List
“She blew my socks off” - BBC

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 are £10 per person if bought in advance, or £12 on the day. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Ripon, July 5th 2022
2022-07-05 19:30 - 22:30 | Arts Hub, Ripon, 49a Allhallowgate, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Andrew Bird, Daliso Chaponda, and host Sully O’Sullivan
Show details:

Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is a top headline act at venues up and down the country, and has performed all around the world.
He has been a tour support for Rhod Gilbert, Rob Brydon and on his recent arena tour Michael McIntyre - including Wembley Area and the O2 Arena. He’s also one of only seven comedians to perform for Banksy at Dismal Land.
An in-demand writer, he’s written on TV shows Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Worrier, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown ,and Lee Mack’s Duck Quacks Don’t Echo. Andrew is also a regular guest on BBC Radio’s The Rhod Gilbert Show, and has been the warm-up artist for TV shows including Taskmaster, Nevermind The Buzzcocks, Room 101 and Pointless.
“Comedy gold...Bird’s going to be a star, catch him close-up now” - The Scotsman
“Superb” - Time Out
“Birdie supported me on my arena tour and made me laugh every night. A truly excellent comedian” - Michael McIntyre

Daliso Chaponda
Britain's Got Talent finalist 2017
Daliso shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent and has gone on to amass over 100 million YouTube views, write and star in his critically acclaimed Radio 4 show Citizen of Nowhere, and appear on QI, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, News Quiz and The Now Show.
Daliso began his comedy career in Canada with the acclaimed one man show ‘Feed This Black Man’. Following this, he began honing his craft in comedy clubs across the country, and now he regularly appears in comedy clubs and theatres across the around the world. He has been part of the Melbourne, Edinburgh, Singapore, Cape Town, and Montreal Festivals, as well as touring the UK.
In addition to stand up and radio, Daliso is also a prolific fiction writer. He has published science fiction, murder mysteries and fantasy fiction in numerous magazines and anthologies.
“Full of sharp one-liners and well crafted gags... a real talent to look out for” - ★★★★ - Metro
“He is hot property” - Evening Standard
“An expert entertainer. Gets laughs from topics other comedians shun” - The Guardian

Sully O'Sullivan
Sully O'Sullivan has been declared a highlight of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival by The NZ Herald, a highlight of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival by The Scotsman, featured on Australian TV’s The Comedy Channel, hosted a sellout standup tour of Croatia, won Canada’s annual Improvaganza Tournament, and completed 2 UK national tours supporting cult Heavy Metal Comic Steve Hughes.
First stepping onto a standup stage in June 1998, Sully's talent gained instant recognition as he won his first national standup award less than 12 months later. 9 years on he’s featured in four seasons of New Zealand’s award winning TV standup showcase 'Pulp Comedy', been nominated for the NZ Comedy Industry's supreme award by the NZ Comedy Trust, and nominated by his fellow performers for the title of NZ's Best MC.
“Amazing” - NME
“A blast of hilarity” - Manchester Evening News
“A wicked sense of humour” - BBC

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 are £10 per person, with doors opening at 7:30pm and the show starting at 8pm. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Darlington, July 2nd 2022
2022-07-02 19:30 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. MC Hammersmith, Tom Taylor, and host Barry Dodds
Show details:
Replacing Eddy Brimson

MC Hammersmith
2018 Scottish Comedy Award Best Newcomer2017 UK Improv Smackdown Champion
MC Hammersmith (aka Will Naameh, the skinny posh one from Men With Coconuts, Spontaneous Sherlock and Spontaneous Potter) is an award-winning freestyle rap improvisational comedian.
He is the world’s leading gangsta rapper to ever emerge from the ghetto of middle class white west London.
Now based in Edinburgh, he performs across the UK and worldwide. He is the 2017 UK Improv Smackdown Champion, and the 2018 Scottish Comedy Award Best Newcomer, and has been seen on BBC Scotland and STV.
“An exceptionally dazzling performance... utterly enthralled” - The Skinny
“The funniest rapper in the world” - Culross Festival
“A shy, somewhat repressed ex-public school attendee blazing through an incredible freestyle rap” - The Wee Review

Tom Taylor
2015 Yorkshire Comedian of the Year
Multi-award winning comedian Tom Taylor has received high praise from audiences and critics alike. His unique brand of musical comedy is smart and silly in equal measure and he can boast an impressive stock of quirky, and very funny, musical one-liners.
In 2013 Tom reached the final of the prestigious So You Think You're Funny? competition, previously won by Dylan Moran, Lee Mack and Peter Kay. In 2014, he reached the final of the Hobgoblin Comedy Award and, the following year, won the inaugural Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of the Year competition.
Recently, Tom has performed on Radio 2 and Radio 4 Extra as part of the BBC Radio New Comedy Award and has supported Simon Munnery on tour.
“His brand of nervous, neurotic musical comedy is an absolute delight” - The Skinny

Barry Dodds
Barry Dodds charms audiences with his unique brand of disarming wit and wry, down-to-earth observational humour.
A self-confessed comedy geek, Barry took to the comedy stage at the tender age of 21 and soon had audiences eating out of the palm of his hand. Using his own combination of irrepressibly cheeky, and surprisingly dark material, he quickly found himself taking the national comedy circuit by storm.
His calm, inclusive persona has ensured that Barry has also proven himself to be a popular and amiable MC, garnering a reputation as a strong and reliable choice to hold a quality line up together. Barry has been awarded Best MC at the Midlands Comedy Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017
Barry is one-half of popular podcast 'The Worriers' with Hayley Ellis, and was also half of the popular Parapod podcast with comedian Ian Boldsworth. Ian and Barry debate the paranormal, explore hauntings, and delve headfirst into the unknown. The Parapod quickly became a cult hit, and was nominated for 'Best Internet' award at the 2016 Chortle Awards.
“If you are a promoter or club owner and aren't booking Barry Dodds then you should hand in your badge and your gun on my desk Monday morning!” - Jason Manford
“Razor sharp humour” - Metro
“wonderfully crafted stories and top–class audience interaction... brings his cheekiness to the stage in absolute buckets” - Bunbury Magazine

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 are £10 per person. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Hartlepool, June 23rd 2022
2022-06-23 19:00 - 22:00 | Hops & Cheese, Hartlepool, 9-11 Tower Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7HH, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bitesize New Act & New Material Night, with Sully O’Sullivan, Kate McCabe, host Rick Molland & support
Show details:

Sully O'Sullivan
Sully O'Sullivan has been declared a highlight of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival by The NZ Herald, a highlight of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival by The Scotsman, featured on Australian TV’s The Comedy Channel, hosted a sellout standup tour of Croatia, won Canada’s annual Improvaganza Tournament, and completed 2 UK national tours supporting cult Heavy Metal Comic Steve Hughes.
First stepping onto a standup stage in June 1998, Sully's talent gained instant recognition as he won his first national standup award less than 12 months later. 9 years on he’s featured in four seasons of New Zealand’s award winning TV standup showcase 'Pulp Comedy', been nominated for the NZ Comedy Industry's supreme award by the NZ Comedy Trust, and nominated by his fellow performers for the title of NZ's Best MC.
“Amazing” - NME
“A blast of hilarity” - Manchester Evening News
“A wicked sense of humour” - BBC

Kate McCabe
American comic Kate McCabe moved to Manchester from the US over a decade ago with her Scottish partner - putting the wheels in motion shortly after George W Bush was elected for a second term as President!
Growing up in Erie, Pennsylvania, Kate studied theatre arts at New York University, and following her passion for stand-up comedy, Kate continued to make us laugh, perforning throughout New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New Jersey and the UK.
When not performing stand-up, she also writes and performs with Manchester-based sketch group The Tourists, hosts her own alternative comedy night, Sidekick Comedy, in Manchester's Gay Village, and also performs improv with ComedySportz - the Manchester-based comedy troupe who battle it out for the biggest laughs.
“Delivers strong material with aplomb” - Three Weeks
“McCabe stormed the venue... a thorough delight to watch” - Arts in Leicester
“McCabe’s material is consistently good, often making the room spin with laughter” - The Student Journal

Rick Molland
Not many Englishmen can cut it as an MC in a Scottish Comedy Club - but that's exactly what Rick Molland did every weekend of the year for years.
An award winning film maker and former Scottish Comedian of the Year runner-up, having proven his comedy metal in some of the most formidable environments Scotland has to offer, including T in the Park, Rockness, and The Wickerman Festivals, Rick Molland is the former resident compère at Edinburgh's Monkey Barrel Comedy Club.
“no-holds-barred comedy” - Edinburgh Evening News
“perfect for the role of compere” - Three Weeks
“ audacious” - The Scotsman

This show will also feature support from several new acts, and established acts performing new material.

Note: Line-ups are subject to change in extreme, and unavoidable, circumstances.
Show may contain strong language and adult themes.

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

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 per person, with doors opening at 7pm and the show starting at 7:30pm. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Bishop Auckland, June 17th 2022
2022-06-17 19:30 - 22:30 | Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Daliso Chaponda, Anth Young, and host Alex Boardman
Show details:

Daliso Chaponda
Britain's Got Talent finalist 2017
Daliso shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent and has gone on to amass over 100 million YouTube views, write and star in his critically acclaimed Radio 4 show Citizen of Nowhere, and appear on QI, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, News Quiz and The Now Show.
Daliso began his comedy career in Canada with the acclaimed one man show ‘Feed This Black Man’. Following this, he began honing his craft in comedy clubs across the country, and now he regularly appears in comedy clubs and theatres across the around the world. He has been part of the Melbourne, Edinburgh, Singapore, Cape Town, and Montreal Festivals, as well as touring the UK.
In addition to stand up and radio, Daliso is also a prolific fiction writer. He has published science fiction, murder mysteries and fantasy fiction in numerous magazines and anthologies.
“Full of sharp one-liners and well crafted gags... a real talent to look out for” - ★★★★ - Metro
“He is hot property” - Evening Standard
“An expert entertainer. Gets laughs from topics other comedians shun” - The Guardian

Replacing Gareth Waugh

Anth Young
Anth Young is one of the hottest new acts in the North East, having finished highly in a raft of new act competitions in the last few years, as well as performing to huge audiences in theatres around the country as tour support to Carl Hutchinson.
A regular at comedy clubs around the UK, Anth's career has really blossomed since finishing as runner-up in the Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of the Year competition in 2017 - a year which also saw him placing highly in the hugely competitive English Comedian of the Year competition, and being a finalist in the North East New Act of the Year competition.
“Delightfully blunt and immensely endearing” - BBC
“...he has long career ahead of him” - Broadway Baby

Alex Boardman
A lifelong comedy fan, Alex Boardman stormed onto the scene and quickly became one of the most popular choices on the circuit during the late 90’s. A full time comic since 1998, his skills as a writer have also been in constant demand for Britain’s most cutting edge prime time TV and Radio comedy shows. If you’ve found yourself falling off your chair in a fit of giggles watching TV’s latest successful comedy offering, the chances are, Alex is responsible.
Alex 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. His unique brand of “flattery and abuse” is done with a lack of malice and a big sense of fun.
Alex was one of a small band of writers who worked on the second series of John Bishop’s Britain on BBC 1 and he made a significant contribution to it being the highest rated stand up show of 2011 bringing in six million viewers a week. He has also written for performers as diverse as James Corden, Lily Savage and Liza Tarbuck, whilst he had a three year special hosting the Galaxy FM breakfast show in the late 2000s.
“His tall tales can lead anywhere on any given night” - The Times
“A rare mixture of wit and charm” - The Guardian
“Probably the quickest I’ve ever seen, certainly the funniest” - The Big Issue

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.

Scarborough, June 15th 2022
2022-06-15 19:00 - 22:00 | Vibe Bar, Scarborough, 76 Castle Road, Scarborough, YO11 1BH, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Steve Royle, Ryan Cullen and host Rick Molland
Show details:

Steve Royle
Britain's Got Talent finalist 2020
Steve is an actor, writer, comedian, juggler, a "Gillard award" winning presenter on BBC Radio Lancashire and now a finalist on ITV's Britain's Got Talent 2020.
Steve most recently completed his 17th consecutive pantomime at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool (and his 22nd Pantomime in total) and was also made an honorary member of The Friends Of The Grand in 2016 for his services to the theatre.
In 2015 he performed 16 nights at The Manchester Arena as part of the "Phoenix Nights Live" show, helping raise well over £ 5 million in the process. He also appeared at the London Palladium twice within a month later that year when he performed as part of the TV show "Sunday Night At The Palladium" and as warm-up for "One Night With Neil Diamond".
He spent many years as "Special Guest" on Dave Spikey's Tours and has supported several other top comedic names including Peter Kay, Mick Miller, Roy Walker and The Lancashire Hotpots! He was also the first comic, ever, to act as "Warm-up" for The Royal Variety Show featuring Take That, Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow and Meatloaf.
Steve's first love, however, is stand-ip and it is a job that has taken him all over the world: Cruises in the Med, Norwegian Fjords and the Caribbean, hotels and comedy clubs in Hong Kong, Dubai, Crete, Cyprus, Turkey and Japan. Meanwhile, Steve is a regular headline act at the world-famous The Comedy Store, and at venues throughout the UK.
“A brilliant comedian” - Peter Kay
“I nearly pushed my golden buzzer for you when I saw your audition because it's one of the funniest performances I've seen. I was totally wowed” - David Walliams
“a comedy masterclass!” - The Stage

Ryan Cullen
Ryan Cullen has become one of Ireland’s most talked about comedians in a very short space of time. Renowned for his near the knuckle material and depraved one-liners, Ryan was recently runner up in Irish Comedian of The Year and has made appearances on BBC Scotland’s ‘The Comedy Underground’, BBC NI’S ‘Late Licence’, as well as on RTE and MTV!
A festival favourite, Ryan regularly graces the comedy stages at Altitude Comedy Fest, The Vodafone Comedy Carnival, Electric Picnic, Longitude, Forbidden Fruit, Indiependence, and Snowbombing, Ryan is also a head performer on the Facts YouTube Channel, boasting over 400 million views and 1.3 million subscribers, and also the Try Channel which has over 500,000 subscribers.
Having headlined clubs such as The Laughter Lounge, The Stand, The International Comedy Club, The Comedy Cellar, and The Belfast Empire - to name but a few - it won’t be long before Ryan Cullen will be giving the big names a run for their money!
“Ryan Cullen looks unassuming... but his clever black humour had the crowd gasping in horror and giggling simultaneously!” - Comedy Scoop
“Ryan Cullen is one of my favourite comedians. Hilarious and so dark you think 'How the f*ck did he end up like this?’” - Daniel Sloss

Rick Molland
Not many Englishmen can cut it as an MC in a Scottish Comedy Club - but that's exactly what Rick Molland did every weekend of the year for years.
An award winning film maker and former Scottish Comedian of the Year runner-up, having proven his comedy metal in some of the most formidable environments Scotland has to offer, including T in the Park, Rockness, and The Wickerman Festivals, Rick Molland is the former resident compère at Edinburgh's Monkey Barrel Comedy Club.
“no-holds-barred comedy” - Edinburgh Evening News
“perfect for the role of compere” - Three Weeks
“ audacious” - The Scotsman

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: 7pm
Show starts: 7:30pm

Buy tickets:
Tickets for this show are £10 each. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Ripon, June 7th 2022
2022-06-07 19:30 - 22:30 | Arts Hub, Ripon, 49a Allhallowgate, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Steve Harris, Duncan Oakley, and host Rick Molland
Show details:

Steve Harris
Steve first leapt on stage back in August 1998 and within 3 months had won himself the coveted North-West comedian of the year award after just 5 gigs. A finalist of the BBC New Comedy Awards and Channel 4’s “So You Think You’re Funny?” in the same year, Steve went on to headline all of the top comedy clubs in the UK, as well as venues as far flung as Hong Kong and Australia.
With his ever-expanding reputation the demand for Steve has come from all different types of media outlets including radio and TV, and with support slots with the likes of Johnny Vegas, Peter Kay and Lee Evans, Steve comes highly recommended from the heavyweights of comedy.
Whatever age or walk of life you’re from Steve has something for you, guaranteed to have you breathless with laughter, a master of the obvious and a Ninja of the not so obvious, you’ll be hit so hard by a punch line you won’t know where it’s come from.
“Quite simply, fantastically funny” - BBC
“He’s caustic and witty, a good all-rounder” - The Guardian
“Steve Harris is a hip-hopping, gag-spinning bundle of joy, go see him now before he gets too big” - City Life

Duncan Oakley
Award-winning comedy songwriter Duncan Oakley has been performing on the UK club and festival circuit since 1999. In that time Duncan has appeared on BBC3, Channel 4 and BBC Radio 4 as well as having a lead role as Eddie in Beat 24's feature film Frontman (a film that won awards but sadly never achieved major release despite Oakley being brilliant in it).
Proudly childlike, musical comedian Duncan Oakley can be playful and daft but is always infectiously funny.
Expect big laughs from your inner oaf.
“Leaping between stupidity and pure brilliance” - Yorkshire Evening Post
“Oakley's routine deftly mixes the tunes with the stand-up” - City Life
“Brilliant. A true, funny entertainer” - BAFTA winner Dave Johns

Rick Molland
Not many Englishmen can cut it as an MC in a Scottish Comedy Club - but that's exactly what Rick Molland did every weekend of the year for years.
An award winning film maker and former Scottish Comedian of the Year runner-up, having proven his comedy metal in some of the most formidable environments Scotland has to offer, including T in the Park, Rockness, and The Wickerman Festivals, Rick Molland is the former resident compère at Edinburgh's Monkey Barrel Comedy Club.
“no-holds-barred comedy” - Edinburgh Evening News
“perfect for the role of compere” - Three Weeks
“ audacious” - The Scotsman

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 are £10 per person, with doors opening at 7:30pm and the show starting at 8pm. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Topcliffe, June 7th 2022
2022-06-07 19:30 - 22:30 | The Angel at Topcliffe, The Angel at Topcliffe, Long Street, Topcliffe, YO7 3RW, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Duncan Oakley, Steve Harris, and host Sully O’Sullivan
Show details:

Duncan Oakley
Award-winning comedy songwriter Duncan Oakley has been performing on the UK club and festival circuit since 1999. In that time Duncan has appeared on BBC3, Channel 4 and BBC Radio 4 as well as having a lead role as Eddie in Beat 24's feature film Frontman (a film that won awards but sadly never achieved major release despite Oakley being brilliant in it).
Proudly childlike, musical comedian Duncan Oakley can be playful and daft but is always infectiously funny.
Expect big laughs from your inner oaf.
“Leaping between stupidity and pure brilliance” - Yorkshire Evening Post
“Oakley's routine deftly mixes the tunes with the stand-up” - City Life
“Brilliant. A true, funny entertainer” - BAFTA winner Dave Johns

Steve Harris
Steve first leapt on stage back in August 1998 and within 3 months had won himself the coveted North-West comedian of the year award after just 5 gigs. A finalist of the BBC New Comedy Awards and Channel 4’s “So You Think You’re Funny?” in the same year, Steve went on to headline all of the top comedy clubs in the UK, as well as venues as far flung as Hong Kong and Australia.
With his ever-expanding reputation the demand for Steve has come from all different types of media outlets including radio and TV, and with support slots with the likes of Johnny Vegas, Peter Kay and Lee Evans, Steve comes highly recommended from the heavyweights of comedy.
Whatever age or walk of life you’re from Steve has something for you, guaranteed to have you breathless with laughter, a master of the obvious and a Ninja of the not so obvious, you’ll be hit so hard by a punch line you won’t know where it’s come from.
“Quite simply, fantastically funny” - BBC
“He’s caustic and witty, a good all-rounder” - The Guardian
“Steve Harris is a hip-hopping, gag-spinning bundle of joy, go see him now before he gets too big” - City Life

Sully O'Sullivan
Sully O'Sullivan has been declared a highlight of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival by The NZ Herald, a highlight of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival by The Scotsman, featured on Australian TV’s The Comedy Channel, hosted a sellout standup tour of Croatia, won Canada’s annual Improvaganza Tournament, and completed 2 UK national tours supporting cult Heavy Metal Comic Steve Hughes.
First stepping onto a standup stage in June 1998, Sully's talent gained instant recognition as he won his first national standup award less than 12 months later. 9 years on he’s featured in four seasons of New Zealand’s award winning TV standup showcase 'Pulp Comedy', been nominated for the NZ Comedy Industry's supreme award by the NZ Comedy Trust, and nominated by his fellow performers for the title of NZ's Best MC.
“Amazing” - NME
“A blast of hilarity” - Manchester Evening News
“A wicked sense of humour” - BBC

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 are £10 per person if bought in advance, or £12 on the day. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Darlington, June 4th 2022
2022-06-04 19:30 - 22:30 | The Forum, Darlington, The Forum, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Tez Ilyas, Liam Farrelly, and host Andy Fury
Show details:

Tez Ilyas
Host of Channel 4's The Tez O’Clock ShowBBC New Talent Hot List 2017Chortle Best Breakthrough Act Nominee 2017
Tez Ilyas hit the ground running. In his first three years as a stand up, he found himself in no less than eight competition finals including the prestigious BBC New Comedy Award and Leicester Mercury New Comedian of the Year. In 2015, Tez achieved phenomenal success with his debut stand up hour TEZ Talks. A sell out run at the Soho Theatre and his own BBC Radio 4 series based on the show followed, with a second series released in 2018 and a third already commissioned.
In 2016, his highly anticipated follow up show, Made in Britain, went on to sell out every single performance (including extra shows) at the Edinburgh Fringe and gained spectacular critical acclaim, with a smash hit nationwide tour in 2017.
His third show, Teztify, once again delivered a spectacularly powerful, provocative and brilliantly funny hour of topical stand up, delivering to packed out audiences night after night, followed in 2018 by his second sell-out nationwide tour.
Tez is one of the stars of hit sitcom Man Like Mobeen (BBC Three) and has appeared on Live at the Apollo (BBC One), Mock the Week (BBC Two), The Last Leg (C4), Live From the BBC (BBC Two), Live from the Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Kevin Hart’s Live from Montreal (LOL Network), Virtually Famous (E4), The Now Show (BBC Radio 4) and made a brand new quiz show pilot for Vice.
“Tez Ilyas’s political stand-up is candyfloss with a razorblade inside: sweet and familiar at first, then shockingly, painfully sharp. It’s the kind of manoeuvre that takes serious talent to pull off” - ★★★★ - The Telegraph
“Ilyas has a slickness more reminiscent of US comics, and the gags to back it up, though his most prized asset could yet be his bold, subversive streak” - ★★★★ - The Guardian
“Radiantly entertaining” - ★★★★ - The Times

Liam Farrelly
2021 Scottish Comedian of the Year - Winner2021 Beat the Frog World Series - Winner2021 BBC New Comedy Award - Finalist
Liam Farrelly is a 21-year-old up-and-coming Scottish comedian from Paisley, who started performing stand-up aged 17 whilst still in High School and who immediately went into comedy full-time after graduating.
A meteoric rise through the ranks has seen him nominated for and winning a raft of awards, have a guest acting role on BBC Scotland’s Scot Squad (S4E2, 2018) and perform at the UK’s best and most prestigious comedy clubs, including Scotland’s The Stand, Monkey Barrel, Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club and both the London and Manchester Comedy Stores—all barely a year after first setting foot on a stage.
In 2021, BBC Scotland commissioned him to write and produce an episode of their Short Stuff. Already a charismatic powerhouse on stage, Liam’s perfect timing and brilliant material is underpinned by a dry and understated delivery, flawlessly landing multiple punchlines with breathtaking ease.
“Frighteningly young first act Liam Farrelly is going to have to get used to the Kevin Bridges comparisons or have elocution lessons... it was apparent that this was a young man with natural storytelling talent... Impressive stuff” - Beyond the Joke
“Self-referential asides and personal material... there’s a funny and interesting spark here” - Chortle

Andy Fury
Despite starting comedy out of “sheer boredom” just a few years ago, Andy Fury has impressed a lot of people in a short space of time with a wonderful mix of self-deprecating dark jokes and off the wall surrealism.
With a laidback stage presence that sometimes borders horizontal, he’s as hard-working as he is funny and winning the Hilarity Bites New Act Of The Year 2010 title has put Andy on the path to working at many of the best clubs in the country, wowing audiences the length and breadth of the UK.
“An absolute genius of a comedian” - BBC
“Brilliant... The next Pub Landlord of comedy” - Hexham Courant
“A very funny man with a big future ahead of him” - Corby Radio

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 are £10 per person, and should be booked in the group size that you wish to sit in. Tickets can be bought from the link below, See Tickets, TicketMaster, Skiddle, WeGotTickets, or contact the venue directly.

Bishop Auckland, May 20th 2022
2022-05-20 19:30 - 22:30 | Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP, United Kingdom
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. David Hadingham, Susan Riddell, and host Lee Kyle
Show details:

David Hadingham
Like a mad Phil Daniels, Dave Hadingham is a bulldog of a comedian, and the animal allegories don't stop there. In an affectionately, snarling, ranting and raving set, Dave is not afraid to make you laugh about anything (remember the dogs).
At his best in the live arena, Dave has been a professional comic since May 1996. Intense and anecdotal, he keeps audiences hooked right up to the last punchline as he presents his unique and often warped view of everyday life.
This gravel-voiced comic combines supremely controlled delivery with inimitable facial contortions as he cracks some of the best handmade gags in the business.
Dave is a highly-regarded regular on the nationwide comedy circuit, headlining at all of the biggest clubs in the UK and also performing at resorts across Europe.
“ranting and raving comic genius” - The Guardian
“Hilariously funny with notable precision and charisma” - The Scotsman

Susan Riddell
As seen on ITV’s Jonathan Ross Comedy Club, BBC Comedy Underground, and supporting Ardal O'Hanlon and Fern Brady on UK tours.
After winning a place in BBC Writer’s Room Fast and Funny, Susan Riddell went on to write, create and star in several on-line comedy sketches for BBC Short Stuff which have garnered nearly 3 million views and counting. Susan recently performed stand up at the Edinburgh Fringe in both CKP’s Lunchtime Special and the BBC Presents Comedy Tent. She also wrote a humorous weekly column for The Daily Record newspaper for around two years.
Other writing credits and acting roles include C4 and BBC’s Ones spoof cop show Scot Squad. She is currently working on a sitcom pilot with the BBC and is a regular on topical BBC radio panel show Breaking the News (BBC Radio Scotland). Her sitcom Dregs filmed for BBC iPlayer as 3 mini episodes, was commissioned by BBC Scotland.
“She’s a brilliant comedian... a star on the rise” - BBC
“Emerging talent with an original comic voice” - Funny Women
“Formidable... fearless, quick with the audience work and ready with self put downs ... delivered as if she’s making it up on the spot. She’s sharp make no mistake!” - The Wee Review

Lee Kyle
In his never ending quest not to have a proper job, Lee Kyle spent time as part of an all male Spice Girls tribute act before spending a decade as a professional wrestler.
Managing the difficult trick of being both odd and relatable, he did a show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013 that he heard was well received but he doesn't read reviews because his psyche is too fragile to handle them so he isn't totally sure what they said.
Armed with props and a rapid gag rate he cuts a confident, if off-beat figure on stage. His jokes veer between the clever and the silly and deliver more than their fair share of belly laughs.
“Had everyone on their feet - Sublimely ridiculous” - The Northern Echo
“A brilliant performance.. Pure genius!” - NARC Magazine
“Quirky and original - the highlight of the night” - Giggle Beats

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.
