A comedic whirlwind, JONNY AWSUM’s feel-good brand of musical comedy has seen him rise from fresh faced newbie to a highly sought after headline act, in a matter of months. Audience members don’t just leave entertained, they leave as fans.

“He’s awesome!” – Time Out

“Awsum’s exuberance is infectious, pumping out into the crowd and lifting everyone’s spirits… totally frivolous” span – The List

“Using only the bare essentials of a guitar, some toy instruments, and a few lighting changes, Jonny Awsum delivers an hour of musical comedy with plenty of laughs and the sort of thing musical theatre PR people call the ‘feelgood factor’.” – Broadway Baby

Jonny has been traversing the UK and indeed the World, armed with an impressive arsenal of jokes and his trusty guitar. He’s a must for comedy clubs, as his crowd-pleasing set sees Jonny regularly ending his sets to standing ovations and demands of an encore.

“Jonny Awsum positively smashed this musical comedy show, taking the audience all the way with him. It’s a dead simple, but absolutely cracking show. That’s entertainment” –★★★★ CHORTLE

Jonny’s feel-good set has captivated audiences at every kind of venue from tiny to large comedy clubs, playing to our Armed Troops abroad, to nationwide theatres as part of the Paul Hollywood Tour. His sell-out debut run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013 made him a Fringe favourite, and in 2014 his hit show ‘Sexy Noises’ achieved a ★★★★★ and five ★★★★ reviews.

“it is great fun, with lots of big, silly laughs…” – The Scotsman

Jonny Awsum went on to have an incredible Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015, including receiving smash reviews from Chortle, becoming Three Weeks’ ‘Three Top Shows to see’ and getting 5 stars and a wonderful review from them, and featuring on BBC Radio 2’s late night Arts Show with Anneka Rice.

“guaranteed to lift your spirits.” – ★★★★★ The Mirror

“pure, unadulterated fun” – Whats On Stage

“Awsum is sharp, likeable and his infectious and amusing songs, largely inspired by his day-to-day observations, provide numerous belly-aching, laugh-out-loud cheers. This is a fine burst of late-night slapstick goodness from promising debutant Jonny Awsum.” – The Big Issue

” This person is unbelievable. Jonny Awsum; brilliant comic who has definitely got big things ahead for him.”– Jason Manford

DANA ALEXANDER is “Refreshing and fearless. Her comedic style has been described as ‘smart, irreverent and revolutionary” - Now Magazine

Dana draws her material from raw life experience with an original and hilarious outlook.

She began her comedy career at the age of 18 years old in Canada. Before long she began touring nationally with Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Clubs, completed 5 television galas and several radio spots for major stations.

In 2011 Dana moved to the U.K. where she premiered her solo hour at The Edinburgh Festival for which she received rave reviews and nominations including “Best Comic” and “Best International Act” from Chortle and Black Comedy Awards.

It was not long before she then featured on British television on programmes such as “Russell Howard’s Good News”, “Edinburgh Comedy Fest” and “The Culture Show”.

Her solo comedy special also aired in Canada’s popular Stand-up show “Comedy Now” and she has been named in the Top 10 Comedians 3 years running by NOW Magazine in Canada.

Dana can be seen on stage within in the U.K. and Internationally. She has performed in more than 40 countries such as Bahrain, Switzerland, Croatia, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, The Seychelles, Hungary, Malta and South Africa. She has also performed for the British Armed Forces.

You also can hear Dana by following her regular Podcast – “Comedians Of The World”

Dana performed her new solo hour “Shady With A Chance Of Sunburn” at The Edinburgh Festival in August 2018.

“Refreshing and Fearless. Her comedic style has been described as ‘smart, irreverent and revolutionary” – Now Magazine

”Like a gift from the comedy gods” – The Herald

”Gloriously dark and painfully funny” – The Scotsman

”An absolute powerhouse performance on stage. Like the fireworks at the end of the Festival she’s tightly timed, mercilessly efficient and very, very loud” – The Skinny

YURIKO KOTANI is a UK-based Japanese comedian who began performing stand-up in 2014. Named as “One To Watch” by Time Out and won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2015.

In 2016, she appeared on series 2 of Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central, BBC Three’s Pls Like in 2017, and CBBC’s The Dog Ate My Homework in 2018.

On radio, she was on The Comedy Club (BBC Radio 4 Extra) in 2016, BBC World Service’s The Arts Hour International New Year Comedy Celebration in 2017, The Verb (BBC Radio 3) and Loose Ends (BBC Radio 4) in 2018.

She also worked with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to make videos for Rugby World Cup 2019, detailing her top tips for fans travelling to Japan.

“leftfield rising star” – Time Out

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ fringebiscuit “A brilliantly performed, well-structured & wonderfully unique set.”

An extremely versatile act. Equally at home either telling beautifully written gags or bantering with the audience. ROB COLEMAN is an established semi-pro comic doing opening, middles, headline and MC work for a wide variety of provincial promoters. He is primarily gag based act but is very comfortable working the crowd.

“Very strong and extremely funny …a naturally funny man.” Bedfordshire News

“What a nice man. Full of one-liners, he had the packed venue in fits of
laughter…. A definite must for a return visit.” – The Jokers Club

“Presence a plenty and material to match” – One 4 Review

Licensed bar
Unreserved seating
Age 14+ under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
(Tickets £12 on the door)

Time

(Saturday) 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

december

10dec7:00 pm10:00 pmCOMEDIANS & CAROLSWith JOY CARTER & JAMES SHERWOODEvent Type Comedy,Community,Music,TheatreStyleChristmas Carols,Comedy,Family,Theatre

Event Details

BUY TICKETS £12/£8

Kettering Arts Centre is once again proud to present Comedians & Carols this Christmas!

This family friendly treat brings an amazing night of comedy, complete with sing-a-long carols on the big screen, jokes-a-plenty and seasonal snacks and drinks!

Writer for BBC1’s Miranda and Not Going Out, among countless others, PAUL KERENSA’s the in-demand comic who plays comedy clubs and cathedrals. He’s one of the few to have appeared both at London’s Comedy Store and on Radio 2’s Pause For Thought. A decade into his stand-up career, Paul’s one-man show has played to packed-out churches and other venues over the last few years, including festivals from Spring Harvest, Greenbelt and New Wine, to the Edinburgh Fringe and Montreal Comedy Festival. Most recently, he part of the writing team for TFI Friday, Top Gear, Royal Variety Performance and Buble at the BBC. Paul’s books include Amazon top 100 bestseller Hark! The Biography of Christmas and children’s book Noah’s Car Park Ark. Paul is a regular on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show.

‘If I was a joke thief, I would be shinning up Paul Kerensa’s drainpipe.’ Milton Jones
‘A comic wave that just keeps coming … As effortless a writer as he is a performer.’ The Stage
‘Paul Kerensa’s writing never fails to be uniquely funny and interesting. TV comedy is richer for Paul being a part of it.’ Miranda Hart

Wildly brandishing the worlds’ second largest briefcase containing a battery of ridiculous props, GEORGE EGG bounds onto the stage to perform one of the most original, interesting, innovative, and sweetly whimsical comedy performances you are ever likely to see. He has been hailed as ‘a Tommy Cooper for the twenty first century’ and through tears of laughter you’ll see why. A true cross between alternative stand-up comedy and music hall variety. George Egg has been a professional stand-up comedian for the last two decades. He has an extremely successful solo show with which he has toured in Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Austria, France and of course extensively in the United Kingdom, both on the stage and on the television, and more recently has been the support act for Lee Mack, Mickey Flannagan and Jack Dee.

“A hugely entertaining variety turn” The Guardian

JOY CARTER is an established full-time comedian who started off life with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, where she discovered her love of comedy. She recently appeared in ‘The Job Lot’ (ITV) and is often used by Channel 4, Sky and BBC on issues of adoption. Joy is a musical comic who is theatre trained and uses to full potential her versatility she says, ‘I cover topical events such as the Oscars to Osama Bin Laden, I tinkle the piano to add some glittering songs and my flute to my shows.’ Last year, she used those skills in her debut show ‘Aspects of Joy’ to the Edinburgh Festival.

“So brilliant” Jo Brand
“Her comic style certainly makes her one to watch out for” John James Anisiobi, Daily Mail
“Stories of ballet and adoption warmed and wowed me” Arthur Smith, The Stage

JAMES SHERWOOD is an award-winning musical comedian. Winner of Best International Show 2010, LA Theatre Review and Best Comedy Show 2010, Hollywood Fringe. As a writer he won a Sony Award in 2009 for The Now Show and has also written for The New Quiz, Newsjack and Look Away Now (BBC Radio 4). James recently created the new radio topical quiz show I Guess That’s Why They Call It The News for BBC Radio 4.

“Imaginative musical jokes and beautifully crafted original comedy songs…The material he offers is fresh, contemporary and pin-sharp original. ” Guardian
“If you ever wondered what would happen if Bill Bailey
and Marcus Brigstocke had a child…” Chortle
“Quite brilliant” The Scotsman
“Genuine hysterics…tears of laughter” Spoonfed

Licensed bar
Wheelchair access
Unreserved seating
Free carer tickets available – contact the venue directly
All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Time

(Saturday) 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

16dec7:00 pm10:00 pmTHE MELODY CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERTA Christmas concert of traditional carols and Christmas songs in an evening of festive musicEvent Type MusicStyleChristmas Carols,Family

march

10mar7:30 pm9:30 pmALFIE MOORE: FAIR COP UNLEASHED“Brilliantly funny…. genuinely hilarious” David MitchellEvent Type Comedy,CommunityStyleComedy,Stand-up Comedy

11mar8:00 pm11:00 pmROB AUTON: THE CROWD SHOWROB AUTON returns to Kettering Arts CentreEvent Type ComedyStyleStand-up Comedy

25mar8:00 pm10:30 pmINTER-FAITH COMEDY EVENT - HEADLINER TEZ ILYASWith NJAMBI MCGRATH, REV ALLAN FINNEGAN & MC PHILIP SIMONApologies for any inconvenience caused. Rescheduling details will follow soon. Thank you Event Type Comedy,CommunityStyleComedy,Stand-up Comedy

Event Details

BUY TICKETS £10

TEZ ILYAS is one of the most celebrated stars in British comedy.

BBC NEW TALENT HOT LIST 2017/CHORTLE BEST BREAKTHROUGH NOMINEE 2017

In 2015 Ilyas achieved phenomenal success with his debut stand up hour TEZ Talks. A sell out run at the Soho Theatre and his own Radio 4 series based on the show followed, with a second series quickly being recommissioned.

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.

Tez has appeared on Live at The Apollo (BBC Two), The Last Leg (C4), Mock the Week (BBC Two), Live From the BBC (BBC Two), The Chris Ramsey Show (Comedy Central), Man Like Mobeen (BBC Three), Live from the Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Kevin Hart’s Live from Montreal (LOL Network), Virtually Famous (E4), The Now Show (BBC Radio 4), Roast Battle (Comedy Central), The Rob Rinder Verdict (C4) and The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice (C4), Celebrity Supply Teacher (CBBC).

Tez’ Channel 4 comedy Blap Bounty is the most watched show in the strand’s 10 year history. In 2019 he fronted his own Channel 4 satirical sketch series The Tez O’Clock Show to huge critical acclaim.

In 2020, Tez released his first stand up comedy special, Teztify, recorded live at the Southbank Centre, playing out exclusively on Youtube.

In 2021, Tez Ilyas will embark on his brand new nationwide tour show Populist.

Tez’ hotly anticipated debut novel The Secret Diary of a British Muslim Aged 13 3/4, a teenage memoir, will be released on April 8th 2021.

★★★★ ‘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

NJAMBI MCGRATH is a rising comedy star with a Radio 4 Series in the horizon. She is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Through The Leopards Gaze was optioned for a 6 part TV drama series by Expectation Entertainment. She is a ‘compelling voice of a rarely heard African perspective’ FestMag. Njambi’s book was shortlisted as one of the Twentyin2020 writers announced in the Guardian 2019.

Away from writing, Njambi is an accomplished comedian with seven one woman shows and three filmed comedy specials. She was crowned winner of 2019 prestigious Hackney empire NATYS Award joining the ranks of previous winners like Stewart Lee and Lee Mark.

Njambi’s 2019 Edinburgh show Accidental Coconut, was a satirical examination of striking parallels between the Brexit rhetoric mimicking the struggles of those who fought for independence from Britain. Described as ‘nothing short of ground-breaking’ Banbury Magazine, and ‘a unique voice with deliciously tart lines’ Evening Standard. Accidental Coconut was featured on BBC Two’s Edinburgh Nights and BBC Radio 4 Extra Stand ups.

Her current stand up show Black Black, she is comparing her grandmother’s life under imperialist Britain, with the rise of Nazism and fascism to her own political climate with Nazism, fascism on the rise.

As Kikuyu, Njambi is a follower of her ancestors Ngai. In her own words “He’s low maintenance because he says if he doesn’t hear from you he’ll assume all is well.😀”

REV ALLAN FINNEGAN is a Baptist minister but not a very good one. His humour is based on his unique perspective on life as a minister of a church.

In 2020 he became Semi Finalist on Britains Got Talent series 14.

David Walliams described him as ‘super funny, very memorable’, with Alesha Dixon adding ‘I think you’re a breath of fresh air’.

MC PHILIP SIMON is one of the most sought after comperes and opening acts working on the UK comedy circuit today.

He has most recently been gigging throughout the UK, as well as a few appearances in New York, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Auckland where he headlined at The Classic. He has also performed at a number of corporate events and private parties.

As well as many gigs around the UK for promoters such as JokeKlub, Comedy Knights and Great Comedy Nights, he has worked regularly at London-based venues including Covent Garden Comedy, Backyard Comedy and The Comedy Cafe (where he won their New Act night twice in 2012 & 2013). He was the final record breaking act on stage as the Guinness World Record for the longest stand up gig was broken in Portsmouth and has recently been working as a rehearsal guest on BBC TV’s Mock the Week and Taskmaster for Dave.

As well as writing sketches for BBC Radio 4 Xtra’s Newsjack and The Canal Cafe’s Newsrevue, Philip is in high demand as a regular contributor of material to other comedians on the circuit, working with them to edit existing jokes and create new concepts.

‘Polished performer who makes everyday subjects funny, even though we sometimes may be embarassed to laugh at his subject ‘matter. Excellent stuff…Superb stage presence, very professional and a little bit naughty!’ (Alan Sellers, Great Comedy Nights)

‘A delightfully polished performer with a flair for observational humour. His twisted take on the everyday has seen him become established as a darn fine opening act with a laconic delivery that is a joy to behold.’ (Anthony J Brown, Stage Fright Comedy)

‘Philip Simon’s set is a joy. A wry observation of life as a nice Jewish boy…Very funny indeed.’ (Cotswold Comedy Club)

Licensed bar

Doors 7.15pm
Unreserved seating
Over 14’s recommended
£10 in advance / £12 on the door

Time

(Saturday) 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm

may

12may7:30 pm11:00 pmTHE BOHEMIANS: THE GREATEST HITS TOURCELEBRATION TOUR OF QUEEN'S GREATEST HITSEvent Type MusicStyleRock

13may8:00 pm11:00 pmJUSTIN MOORHOUSE: STRETCH & THINKJustin is back: still funny, yet middle aged.Previously purchased tickets are validEvent Type ComedyStyleStand-up Comedy

june

09jun8:00 pm11:00 pmGARY DELANEY: GARY IN PUNDERLANDStar of Live at the Apollo and sell-out sensationEvent Type ComedyStyleStand-up Comedy

september

16sep8:00 pm10:00 pmJOSIE LONG: RE-ENCHANTMENT★★★★★ “She’s the consummate comedian. A wonderful talent.” Broadway BabyEvent Type ComedyStyleComedy,Stand-up Comedy

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