Darwen Library Theatre

MC Justin Moorhouse

Northern-born Justin Moorhouse has been taking “charming the pants off the crowd” (Sunday Times) since he first entered the spotlight in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights playing the tiger faced, Young Kenny. The “brilliant entertainer’s” (The Stage) career has gone from strength to strength since appearing on the show.

“The amount of first-rate comic craft that goes into his deceptively simple routines is worthy of admiration” Guardian

Andrew Bird

With his easy charm and sharp wit Andrew Bird has rapidly established himself as one of the best young comedians in England. He has an animated story telling style which is punctuated by his keen perceptions on life.

“Superb… the exciting rising star” Time Out

Jack Gleadow

Winner of Leicester Mercury Comedian 2018 and many other national competitions, Jack Gleadow is the One Man Variety Show with the use of  sounds, stories, jokes and a scooter!

”an absolute natural’ Chortle

Micky P Kerr

Leeds-based comedian and social commentator, Micky P Kerr is a breath of fresh air on the live comedy circuit. Fusing together music, spoken word and comedy, with his tongue often planted firmly in his cheek, Kerr has been described as the bastard spawn of John Cooper Clarke.

“So smart, so quick, so funny, so different, so original. You absolutely nailed it!” Simon Cowell

MC Jessica Fostekew

Jessica has been performing improvised comedy and working as a comedy actress since 2005. In January 2008 she hit the UK stand up circuit like a thunderbolt of joy and was a finalist in the Funny Women’s Awards 2010.

Jessica co-hosts the mighty Guilty Feminist podcast which has reached well over 10 million listeners and is regularly in the Top 10 on the iTunes chart. She starred in this year’s hugely acclaimed new BBC2 sitcom from Sharon Horgan and Graham Linehan Motherland as well as the award winning BBC1 drama Three Girls.

“Intensely funny” Time Out

Bobby Mair

Bobby Mair is a disturbingly exciting new comedian, having graced our screens in the last season of Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 Cats and BBC3’s Russell Howard’s Good News. He was the opening act at the 2014 NME Awards and he also appeared on post Edinburgh Fringe best of highlights show, BBC3’s, Seann Walsh’s Late Night Comedy Spectacular. His most recent assault on our TV screens shows him kissing audience members on the current series of Sweat the Small Stuff for BBC3. Bobby made a second consecutive appearance at ‘Just For Laughs’ in July of this year, taping a Best of the Fest gala with ‘roastmaster’ Jeff Ross.

“A brilliant stand up. He’s either going to be a huge international star or the funniest homeless man ever” Jimmy Carr

Lucy Beaumont

Lucy is a hugely talented comedy actress and writer. She was nominated in 2014 for Best Newcomer at the Fosters Comedy Awards for her debut show We Can work It Out. In 2012 she was the winner of The BBC New Comedy Award and won the Chortle Award For Best Newcomer. Lucy was a finalist in the Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year 2013 and in August 2011 she was also ranked joint third in the Gilded Balloon’s nationwide stand-up comedy competition So You Think You’re Funny?.

“The next Victoria Wood in the making” Arthur Smith

John Moloney

John Moloney has been a professional comedian for over twenty years, and has entertained audiences across the globe with his crafted, intelligent and original stand-up routines. John was also delighted to be nominated as ‘Best Live Stand-Up’ at the British Comedy Awards.

‘One of the best things about watching live comedy is seeing a comedian get his second wind of inspiration. Sometimes an established comic suddenly finds something extra, and one of these comics is John Moloney. He’s been a headliner at top clubs like the Comedy Store for years – yet his comedy has acquired more depth, as well as an even sharper edge.’ The Guardian

MC Justin Moorhouse

Northern-born Justin Moorhouse has been taking “charming the pants off the crowd” (Sunday Times) since he first entered the spotlight in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights playing the tiger faced, Young Kenny. The “brilliant entertainer’s” (The Stage) career has gone from strength to strength since appearing on the show.

“The amount of first-rate comic craft that goes into his deceptively simple routines is worthy of admiration” Guardian

Dave Johns

Highly-acclaimed Geordie stand-up comedian with numerous TV and radio credits to his name. An expert in the delivery of in-yer-face comedy, Dave’s high-energy routine has left audiences around the globe gasping for breath and crying with laughter.

Daliso Chaponda

Daliso is a versatile African comedian equally comfortable talking politics, romance, filth or religion. As such, he has performed in such diverse venues as churches, casinos, strip clubs and sports bars and was a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent 2017. He has lived in countries where the press is not allowed to criticize the government, and in others with no libel laws where they can say anything. He has been both a journalist and a jaded newsreader.

‘Full of extravagant gestures and impassioned speeches. He inspires whoops and cheers from his watchers. Highly recommended’ BBC