KETTERING: Arts Centre, St Andrew's Church

Saturday 19th October, 2024

7:15pm

Event information

KETTERING ARTS CENTRE presents:

KETTERING ARTS CENTRE presents KETTERING COMEDY CLUB

TOP comedians and an MC perform cutting edge stand up at Kettering Arts Centre’s monthly Comedy Club!

STEVE ROYLE - “RIPE WITH COMEDY. A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE: SHARP AND DARK, AND REFRESHINGLY UNSENTIMENTAL” STEPHANIE MERRITT, OBSERVER

STEVE ROYLE 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. Last year he starred, to critical acclaim, in the World premier tour of “Naturally Insane: The Life of Dan Leno” and is taking the show to the West End (Criterion 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. He is a regular Television “warm-up” for programs such as “The Rob Brydon Show”, “A Question Of Sport”, “Mastermind” and even survived over 150 episodes of “The Price is Right” with Joe Pasquale a few years ago.

Steve’s first love, however, is Stand-Up 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.

He is a regular headline act at The Comedy Store and other “alternative” venues and has several television appearances to his credit. “Phoenix Nights”, “Max And Paddy’s Road To Nowhere”, “Peter Kay’s Britain’s Got The Pop Factor…”, “Stand-up Britain”, “Give Your Mate A Break”, “The Afternoon Show”, “Talk Of The North”, a “Real Radio” advert, straight acting roles in “The Things You Do For Love” and “Magnolia”, and despite being one of the North West’s healthiest males, a medical insurance commercial for “Medicash”. He was also featured on the Granada Programme “Behind The Scenes” and “That’s Entertainment” (with Cannon and Ball) and was voted “Entertainer of the Year” at the inaugural Red Rose Awards. For over 12 years Steve could be found in the guise of “Mad Edgar” the court jester at Camelot theme park where he presented over 2000 “Crazy Juggling Shows”.

For years, the father-of-three has been encouraged by family and friends to audition for Britain’s Got Talent, but didn’t expect to get far. However in August 2020, Steve became the first act sent through to the final, impressing judges with his comedy juggling routines. For 51-year-old Steve, this is the latest journey in a rich history in the world of entertainment. Steve previously charmed the judges in the audition round, with his impressive juggling skills, using his mouth to juggle ping-pong balls before juggling three guitars. His semi final performance was a huge change for Steve, who is used to feeding off an audiences live reaction – the show had to be pre-recorded this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and social distancing, and saw Steve perform to a huge Zoom wall of viewers, as well as the shows judges. The judges unanimously chose to send him through. As Ant and Dec confirmed the news, Steve said it was “crazy and unbelievable” that he had made it through, although he left the entire panel in stitches. The grand final took place in October 2020 and Steve was placed THIRD OVERALL. Which was a wonderful conclusion to an amazing run on the show.

Acclaimed stand-up comic and accomplished TV writer MERYL O’ROURKE, revels in her bitterness. A potty mouthed potty trainer, she has delighted comedy audiences, written some of the best gags on telly and even hosted pop concerts (the last one to 12,000 people!). She supported Frankie Boyle for part of his last tour, at his request. She also supported him at the Hammersmith Apollo. In his book ‘Work! Consume! Die!’ he calls Meryl “Inspiringly funny”.

Meryl’s cheeky routines of dysfunctionality get her choice gigs with major promoters. These include Up the Creek, Screaming Blue Murder, Off the Kerb, Banana, Comedy Company and The Funny Side; amongst many others. She performs 20-60 min sets, MCs and is also a popular choice for private parties and corporate events. She runs her own club in Tooting where she is regular MC.

Her solo stand-up show Bad Mother… was a hit at Edinburgh and Brighton festivals. Directed by Foster’s Comedy Award nominee Thom Tuck, it received 5-star reviews and was The Times’ Critic’s Choice.

“5* * * * * Truly astonishing show…a must see”
The New Current

“As near perfect as you can find.
British Comedy Guide

MAD RON, The Third Hardest Main in Uxbridge, is a comedy creation of Steve Lee, first appearing on the comedy circuit back in December 2015. Mad Ron has taken the circuit by storm. Now a multi award winning act, Mad Ron also finished 3rd in the prestigious 2019 NATY’s.

Not content with that Mad Ron has decided to expand his criminal comedy empire to the UK comedy festivals, having very successful runs at the Leicester, Cambridge, Telford, Hastings and Edinburgh Comedy Festivals. Mad Ron has now become a regular face on the London comedy scene popping up at clubs like The Stand Up Club in Piccadilly, Backyard Comedy Club, Top Secret and Downstairs at the Kings Head to name a few.

Ron has now established himself on the UK circuit regularly opening and closing clubs all over the country.

“Amid his threatening manner, this unapologetic wrong’un bemoans such new fangled developments as vaping or email, and has amusingly intolerant lines to explain why. It’s a well-constructed, well-practised set providing a dependable, gag-focussed start to the night…..”
Steve Bennett (Chortle)

RUSSELL ARATHOON is a likeable act who the audience instantly warm to. With his sharp and cheeky material Russell is a perfect act for any live audience. A solid MC he is fast building up a reputation as a very safe pair of hands. Russell is now regularly popping up at clubs such as The Frog & Bucket, Fuzzy Bear, Funhouse Comedy Club, Backyard Comedy Club, OTK, Avalon to name a few.

In 2018 Russell made his Edinburgh Fringe debut with his critically acclaimed show ‘The Curious Incidents Of The Gay In The Night Time’. Since then Russell has gone on to perform at festivals all over the country including Leicester, Nottingham, Manchester & Brighton. He even appeared on the Glee Cardiff Pride Stage alongside Robert White in 2019.

“Instantly connects with the audience”
Chortle

“His style is thoroughly engaging”
Chortle

“Guilty Pleasure”
Chortle

Age 18+
Tickets £11 in advance // £14 on the door
Licensed bar // Unreserved seating // Disability access