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