BARKING TALES - BETHANY BLACK

Event information

YAY BETHANY BLACK IS HEADLINING...

Black played Helen Brears in Channel 4 series Cucumber, which premiered in January 2015. She was also the protagonist of an episode of the E4 sister series Banana.

On 14 November 2015, Black guest starred as 474 in the ninth episode of the ninth season of Doctor Who, entitled "Sleep No More."
Black's co-stars in the episode included Reece Shearsmith alongside regulars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman.

Black had a troubled childhood, suffering from depression. She attended Manchester Metropolitan University where she got a degree in film, television and cultural studies. Black had a nervous breakdown and attempted suicide on several occasions. Once she tried to hang herself, but the ceiling gave way. On another occasion she attempted to gas herself in a car, but the car ran out of petrol. She then came out to her family twice: first as a trans woman, and then as a lesbian. Born with male genitals, Black eventually underwent sex reassignment surgery and discusses her transition in her stand-up act.

At the age of 25 she started her career, first as a compere for a music club in Preston called "Club Fuzzy", where she provided comedy between the music acts. After a hostile reaction, she then began performing in actual comedy clubs. Black adopted a "Fairy Gothmother" style, performing her routines dressed in black, with black eye shadow and sometimes wearing fetish clothing. Most of her comedy is a combination of observational comedy mixed with innuendo.

Her career grew when in 2005 she opened the Manchester Pride festival. She also became a supporting act for other comedians such as Mick Miller and attracted positive reviews from other comedians such as Brendon Burns. In 2007, she became a finalist in the Chortle Student Comedy Awards. In 2008, Black started performing her show "Beth Becomes Her", which tells the story of Black's childhood. She had previously resisted performing material about her life story for fear of how her audience would react. However, the show went down well with most of the audience. It was nominated for the award for "Best Debut" at the Leicester Comedy Festival.

WITH SUPPORT FROM STEPHANIE LAING (BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND)

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.

"Truly commanded the crowd. Disgusting and delightful in equal measure. She is definitely one to watch." Three Weeks

"A great stand-up. Super smart in the fun way that always works magic." Phil Kay

"In amongst a strong line-up – she stole the show for me. Her delivery is so good and material well written that she was the freshest and funniest act of the night." Keir McAllister

"Stephanie Laing offered up a gloriously silly set, coming across as wonderfully unpretentious and getting the audience on her side from the first line. Her off-the-wall observations about her own anxieties were delivered with awkward tenacity and came off as entirely believable mementoes of her everyday life." Broadway Baby

PLUS SCOTT WALKER

AND HARRIET DYER (MC)

"Instinctively funny" Chortle

Tickets £5 or £6 on the door. Doors 7:00, show 8:00.