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Fallen Bodies
Fallen Bodies is an incisive comedy from Writer/Performer Oliver Turner and Director Shannon Black, telling a brand new version of the human race’s very first origin story. In the beginning... We all know the Biblical Creation Story. God created the world and everything in it, and it was good - perfection, in fact. Central to that image of a perfect world, is the idea that God himself has no flaw. So, what would happen if God was physically disabled? Late one eternity, in a flat at the edge of the universe, God remembers creation. Or tries to. There are several conflicting versions. In doing so, he grapples with creating humanity as disabled. After all, we were made in his image. Did he have that right? And how does he feel about his own body? It all comes back to bodies. Recently selected for presentation as part of the Off Grid Festival 2025, Fallen Bodies is the first show produced by Black Tern Arts, a new collaboration between two rural-based disabled creatives that stretches from the West Midlands to the east coast of Scotland, via a small university town in mid Wales.
Bryan Stoops: A Yank in Portsmouth
BioBryan Stoops is a stand-up comedian and educator from the States currently living in the UK. Bryan has performed in most of the major comedy clubs in New York City, including Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, West Side Comedy Club, and The Stand. Bryan has performed in many of the major comedy clubs in Los Angeles, including The Comedy Store, Flappers, The Comedy Chateau, and Tao Comedy Studio. Bryan has also performed in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Barcelona, Brussels, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Luxembourg, and Paris. Bryan has performed at The Hollywood Fringe Festival, The Nottingham Comedy Festival, The Leicester Comedy Festival, The Glasgow Comedy Festival, and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2025, Bryan will perform in The Chichester Fringe Festival and The Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Bryan’s first comedy special, recorded in Queens, was released recently on YouTube. Show InformationA Yank in Portsmouth: Bryan is living and teaching at a school in Portsmouth, Hampshire. He wrote a new hour of stand-up about his experience, appropriate for audience members 18+.Previous Performances: - November Comedy Extravaganza, Brighton, England, The Glasgow Comedy Festival, Glasgow, Scotland, The Leicester Comedy Festival, Leicester, EnglandUp-Coming Performances: Brighton Fringe Festival Reviews 'The most endearing stand up of the fringe! Highly recommend!' (Edinburgh Fringe) 'All kinds of funny...a MUST see!' (Hollywood Fringe) 'A very enjoyable way to spend an hour.' (Leicester Comedy Festival)
Our Anxious Measurements II
Following from the original (***** Lancaster Guardian), the search continues for the one metric capable of conquering all our anxieties and convincing the world we are enough. Leaning on comedic, heartfelt and experimental tones, no two poems are the same - while one poem provides boxing commentary in a match against a trainline company while discussing the measurement of space, another explores anxiety itself using an euler's disc which grows louder as it slows down. The target audience is anyone who is intrigued by the premise, but would appeal especially to students, practitioners of both page and stage poetry and audience members who enjoy attending poetry, theatre and music nights. Dean Tsang is the sole performer, a Critics Choice Award Winner from the 2024 Bay Fringe. He is a two time feature of Loud Poet's Best of Fringe series and is currently working on touring the Anxious Measurements trilogy in Fringes across the UK.
One Man Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum
Threedumb Theatre presents ONE MAN POE(an Edinburgh Fringe Preview) One Man Poe arrives at the Greater Manchester Fringe after a sold-out 21-show run at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it also won the Spookies Award for Best Horror Solo Show. To commemorate the 175th anniversary year of Edgar Allan Poe’s mysterious death in 1849, Stephen Smith performs two of the American author’s most spine-chilling classics, back-to-back and unabridged: The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum. Poe’s archaic language paired with Smith’s award-winning tour-de-force performance offers gothic horror fans and classical literature lovers an atmospheric evening rich with imaginative storytelling, making this a marathon of the macabre. A huge fan of the late Roger Corman / Vincent Price’s Poe-cycle when a child, Stephen Smith reignited his love of classical horror stories during the pandemic by creating online renditions of Poe’s work via Facebook Live. When the theatres reopened, he combined four of Poe’s most popular pieces in a solo show and named the extravaganza One Man Poe. First performed in 2021 at Watford Palace Theatre, One Man Poe has had multiple runs in London, on tour in the UK and internationally in Dubai and Off-Broadway in New York. Since its premiere in 2022 at the Poe Fest International in Baltimore MA and at the Poe Museum in Richmond VA, One Man Poe has been booked for those events on an annual basis. Written by Edgar Allan PoeDirected & Performed by Stephen SmithMusic by Joseph Furey / Sound Design by Joseph Furey and Django HolderSupported by Watford Palace Theatre and The Liverpool Institute for Performing Ar
Becky Fury: British-ish
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Graeme Rayner: Dadology
"Dadology" is Graeme Rayner's debut 1 hour show, and includes everything they're not telling you about being a dad, from conception to adulthoodm via nappies, the school run, puberty and THAT conversation - you know, burds, bees, contraception. Graeme was a semi-finalist in the 2023 British Comedian of the Year competition and is, more importantly, a dad who has spent almost two decades navigating fatherhood with varying degrees of success. "Dadology" offers insight on everything from conception through to adulthood. "The laughs come thick and fast." - Lancashire Post "Made me laugh out loud" - David Baddiel "In total command of the audience." - Joe Pasquale "Heckle him if you dare. You’ll be smashed to pieces if you try" - On Yorkshire Magazine
Graeme Rayner: KrowdWerk
"KrowdWerk" is exactly what you might think - an unscripted crowdwork show. British Comedian of the Year semi-finalist Graeme Rayner will be relying on the audience to get involved and help make a unique show. "Rayner has the perfect balance as a host: keeping the show moving, throwing out his own funnies, and taking the mick out of anyone who dares to heckle." On Yorkshire Magazine "The laughs come thick and fast" - Lancashire Post “Made me laugh out loud." - David Baddiel "Bloody hilarious." - Simon Brodkin "One of the most accomplished MCs I've ever seen. In total command of the audience." - Joe Pasquale "Heckle him if you dare. You’ll be smashed to pieces if you try" - On Yorkshire Magazine "One of the best MCs around" - Leeds Laughter Lounge "How he isn't a regular at every big club in the country is unfathomable." - Barnsley Comedy Shop "The laughs come thick and fast." - Lancashire Post
Almost Famous
Emily Benton, veteran actor and star of stage and screen, is back in the UK after a career that took her to Broadway and Hollywood. With her pedigree, she should be in Downton Abbey or the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, not auditioning for a role in a devised play that has only become available because another, more famous, actor has gone to join the theatre in the sky. She curses the fate that has brought her to this, and also curses an industry where young writers only think of older actors when they want to write about dementia. But is Emily everything that she appears to be? For every woman that had a long and successful career in entertainment, there are countless others whose dreams were crushed by an industry that turned a blind eye to the abuse going on right in front of them, and who are only now finding the confidence to try and reclaim something of the career that was taken away from them. Almost Famous is a new one woman show about the lives we have lived, the lives we would have chosen to live, and the difference between the two. It is written by Andy Moseley, writer and director the 2022 Best LGBTQ Production nominee Make-up, and stars Oldham Coliseum best GM fringe show award winner Jac Wheble. The show premieres at The Actors, Brighton in May and comes to Edinburgh Fringe for a two week run at TheSpace@Surgeons Hall in August. .
All These Pretty Things
Tracey Yarad (USA)What do you do when your husband runs off with your teenagegoddaughter? You write some killer songs, dye your wedding dress blackand make a show.“A naturally gifted storyteller and a fine musician and singer, switching effortlessly between a folk-style, with a range to rival Joni Mitchell, to raspy blues, to power ballad.”—FringeReview [EdinburghFringe] ****“An emotionally raw and sometimes even humorous blend of memoir and song.” nysmusic.comHot off her successful Edinburgh Fringe debut, Tracey Yarad’s confessional and cathartic one-woman show, All These Pretty Things, is a classic illustration of when life gives you lemons, youmake lemonade. A powerful and inspirational testament to the human spirit, this phoenix risingfrom the ashes story takes the audience from the fallout of a devastating divorce in Australia,following her husband's affair with their teenage goddaughter, to an inspiring new life in New York.“I started writing these songs just to keep myself from going insane,” says Tracey, who plays boththe damsel in distress and the heroine who saves the day. “I certainly didn’t imagine that it wouldever be a show. It was just my healing process.”Ten songs later, it became an album, featuring top New York musicians, guitarist Luca Benedetti(Ron Carter, Martha Redbone), bassist Tony Scherr (Norah Jones, Bill Frisell), violinist Zach Brock(Snarky Puppy, Stanley Clarke), drummer Josh Dion (Chuck Loeb, Bob James) and pianist/producerJon Cowherd (Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell). A book, with illustrations and short stories followed.And, finally, with the help of co-writer and director Tessa Souter, it evolved into this one-womanshow—an evocative portrayal of one woman's capacity to come back stronger than ever.“A story of pain, heartache, recovery and self-love. Her poignant stage presence and starkconfessiona
Stephen Catling: Moving on...really really slowly
In this new show by multi-award winning comedian Stephen Catling ponders on a new question? How does one move from heart break and loss when one is a demonically depressed slug. In this new show we meet many new interesting characters and sketches including flashlight Gordon (it is exactly what you are imagining), Mr Owls for hands man (again pretty straightforward) and a slug standup telling the way only a slug would be able to tell (slowly). While at face value this show may just appear as a bonkers and chaotic show, true to his last show on autism this one explores different aspects of mental health from the point of view of alternative and autistic comedian Stephen catling. Themes that will be explored will including inferioritycomplexes, depression and the phenome of ghosting (and heart break). This show was heavily inspired by the breakup of Catling’s fiancé in 2022 who dumbed in at his sister’s wedding and the difficulties of battling depression. In addition in regard to ghosting this show will confront this topic in an atypical way but nevertheless explore it in a way that reflects on the painfulness experience. The show is a comedy but could not be described as straight stand-up, the use of music, audio cues, costumes, props, clowning and the interaction in the show brings a heavy emotional and immersive experience which has been designed and developed to be appreciated by those who have suffered with depression and anxiety whether neurodiverse or otherwise.
Tristan Wolfe Break:Out
Break:Out is the bold new one-person show from rising queer performer Tristan Wolfe, making its highly anticipated debut at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025. Blending sharp comedy, heartfelt storytelling, and absurdity, Break:Out is a raw and uplifting exploration of identity, rejection, and resilience. The show takes audiences on a deeply personal journey, from childhood dreams of performing to navigating the crushing weight of rejection and fear. With sharp wit and a knack for finding humor in the darkest moments, Wolfe delivers a story that’s as cathartic as it is comedic. “I wanted to create a show that reminds people they’re not alone in their struggles, and that breaking down can lead to breakthroughs,” Tristan explains. Praised in previews as “beautifully funny and painfully honest”, Break:Out invites audiences to laugh, cry, and reflect on the power of vulnerability and self-discovery. Join Tristan Wolfe for an unforgettable hour that pushes the boundaries of comedy and storytelling, proving that even in our most broken moments, there’s a chance to break free.
Daniel McKeon: Boyboss
In his debut stand-up hour, Daniel McKeon brings everything he kind of has to help you achieve something! From long-distance relationships to working in one-star pubs to disastrous headshots and more, Daniel will leave no humiliating stone unturned in his efforts to transform failure into a lifestyle brand. "Slick. Well-written." The Stand "his comic-cheekiness is endearing." Broadway Baby "sounded great from what I heard." David Baddiel
Flat 4
Following a sell-out runs at the Brighton and Camden Fringe, rave reviews from audiences in 2024, Isabel Songer is excited to announce that her show 'Flat 4' will be coming to the Greater Manchester Fringe 2025. Don't miss this opportunity to experience Songer's gripping storytelling and dynamic performance. Description: A captivating one-woman show delving into the joys and complexities of female friendship, set in a university two-bedroom flat.Combining theatre and spoken word poetry, this performance unveils the dramas of two young women navigating life in their early twenties under one roof. Set in a small flat, watch as walking red flags, toxic habits, and unhealthy relationships become hard to hide.This is the story about the soulmates found in friendship and everything that comes with it. Flat 4 received Brighton Fringe's festival’s 2024 Bursary Award. The production recieved glowing reviews from both audiences and professional critics. The Voice Magazine praised the performance for having the audience “laughing one minute, then sat stunned in silence the next,” awarding it four stars. Audience members described it as an “incredible portrayal of friendship and the pressures young women face,” calling it “raw, funny, dark, and thought-provoking.” After a successful run at Brighton Fringe, “Flat 4” proceeded to have a 4-day run at Camden Fringe. Camden brought further recognition from reviewers, The Reviews Hub giving the piece 4 stars, stating “Flat 4 does complicated women justice”. Isabel Songer is both a theatre and spoken word artist. She has performed as a feature artist in locations across Brighton and London. These include Hammer & Tongue, Rebel Soapbox and the Poetry Shack. She uses poetic storytelling to reflect on her own experiences of education, friendship, and insecurity. She engages with the audience to teach them about the struggles of womanhood. Songer’s writing is characterized by a distinc
Karma is a B*tch Called Steve
Do you believe in forgiveness or karma? Steve is a famous actor, singer and all-round superstar, but life wasn't always so easy. He was bullied during his school years, and it shaped the Miranda Priestly-style personality that he has become. Steve has tried his best to forget about those dark times in his life, but when his childhood bullies start selling fake stories to the press about them being the best of friends, a slightly unhinged Steve is hellbent on revenge. Using any means necessary, Steve seeks out supernatural help from an ostentatious witch who supplies the rich and famous with potions. Karma is a B*tch Called Steve is a debut performance by Songbird Theatre Group – a Greater Manchester based theatre company that showcases local underrepresented talent in original musicals. The camp musical, with five original songs and a splash of witchcraft, will be sure to have you questioning who you should root for and just how seriously you should take karma. The show contains some strong language and violent themes.
Frogs
A comedy written over 2000 years ago in Greece, has now been brought to life and adapted, in Manchester. When Dionysus, the God of Drama and Wine, comes to the conclusion that art itself has died, along with his favourite poet, Euripides, he decides to journey to the underworld with his slave Xanthias, to bring Euripades back. However, there are horrors and obstacles along the way, such as the fearsome and angry Pluto, the unforving heat and torture of Hades, the strength and might of Hercules... and of course, the biggest obstacle of all, a Frog.
Delusions and Grandeur
Come for the music, stay for the existential crisis. "As irreverent as it is poignant" (Australian Arts Review), this classical cello recital plays out like a piece of performance art run by a masterly jester blurring artistry, humanity, and insanity. Featuring Suite Number One in G Major by JS Bach and personal comedic pieces crafted in Idiot classes, Karen fuses in a healthy dose of pathos tackling identity, expectations, and success through the eyes of a fool. Karen Hall is a multi-award winning creator and performer. As a cellist she most visibly spent four seasons on the TV show Glee in addition to her diverse work from orchestra pits to symphonic stages and recording studios. Her solo show, “Delusions and Grandeur”, a cello recital meets clown show, has performed to sold-out audiences and critical acclaim around the world. Winner - Tour Ready Award San Diego Fringe Winner - Best of the Broadwater encore at Hollywood Fringe Winner - Weekly Judges Pick in Spoken Word and Storytelling at Sydney Fringe Nominee - Best Overall in Spoken Word and Storytelling at Sydney Fringe Top Ten Theatre pick by Stage Raw Los Angeles ★★★★ - Sydney Arts Guide ★★★★ "comic timing as impeccable as her playing" Everything Theatre UK, London ★★★★ - The Alternative Gig Guide, Melbourne SOLD OUT Run at Vancouver Fringe
Charles Quarterman: An Evening With Charles Quarterman For One Hour
Hello.I am Charles Quarterman.I will be travelling from Portland, Oregon to bring my show to Manchester for the first time, “An Evening With Charles Quarterman For One Hour.”In it I shall be reading excerpts from my various tomes - there will be stories from the mind, poems from the heart and sounds from the larynx poured bountifully into your lives. Some of the stories will contain dogs. At Edinburgh Fringe Festival I was nominated for the Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality. These kind words have been said of me: "Master of... words” - Arts Leanings, CA "This generation's Homerton Bawdry” (Boston Spool) "Quarterman's curious prose clutches the heart and slowly massages the soul while rhythmically tapping away at the funny bone” (Chicago Arts Gazette Fortnightly) "Scrupulously honest... ridiculously funny" (The Scotsman, Edinburgh Fringe) “A spoken word fever dream, there’s a richness that is utterly unique... beautiful” (Entertainment Now, Brighton Fringe)
MAGIC & SEX
Kathryn Haywood returns after the sell-out, five-star run of her Offie-nominated debut show Yoga & Sex... . For Women (Over 40): “Sheer delight... non-stop hilarity” Reviews Hub; “Excellent to watch... maestro of the side-eye” Chortle; “A masterclass in character-led comedy” LondonTheatre1. In her brand new show, Magic & Sex, Kath has decided to delve into the art of illusion and become a fully-fledged magician. She will astound with her command of a deck of cards, she will baffle with her feats of mentalism, she will confuse with what she keeps under her hat. She can read your mind before you can say Hey Presto, and produce the two of clubs before you can say Abra-Kath-Dabra! Trust me, you’ve never seen magic done quite like this and chances are you never will again. Come and see the hottest new conjuror on the block and leave with your head spinning and your stomach churning. But not in a bad way, sorry, probably could have worded that better. Oh... and sex.
VANILLA
Unexciting? Uninspired? Unadventurous? Did you even watch Fifty Shades of Grey? Vanilla is a testimony of young womanhood as we try to navigate our way in the land of the sexually free. We walk the fine line between pleasure and pain, navigate the fear of being boring, and ask: “What makes a good sexual experience?”. Through spoken word, song, and verbatim we explore the performance of sex, from our influence of porn to the blurred lines of consent. Is being Vanilla really an insult, or are we just afraid of the ordinary? VANILLA is a conversation between two friends, both with different tastes, expectations, and ideas of what sex should be. It was first performed as a 20 minute work in progress at A Pinch of VAULT Fest 2023, and re-developed for Genfest Northampton, and Queer AF in Milton Keynes in 2024. With the use of live music, physical comedy, and a healthy dose of audience interaction, VANILLA challenges our preconceptions of what a good sexual experience looks like (and even sou...
Extra Ordinary
Behind the Door Productions will be performing Extra Ordinary at 53Two on 14th July 2025. Rachel and Max are an ordinary couple, living ordinary lives until something extraordinary turns everything upside down. Now they have the ...
