See The Boy with Tape on His Face Live

Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking – drama with no acting. This show speaks for itself. Combine the sheer, childlike absurdness of Vic Reeves with the deft, physical intonation of Hugh Laurie and the genius of Charlie Chaplin and you have Sam Wills: The Boy with Tape on His Face. The Boy will do his Edinburgh Solo Show and be part of the Sunday’s Best of the Fest Show.

This exciting one-man show from New Zealand is attracting attention across the globe, ‘The Boy With Tape on His Face’ has racked up awards for ‘Best Show’, ‘Best Show Concept’, ‘People’s Choice’, and a nomination for ‘Best Newcomer’ at Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Drawing on a heritage that includes silent film, mime, magic, puppetry, Motown and the films of Patrick Swayze, The Boy With Tape On His Face is a pensive, curious soul approaching every object and audience member as a potential friend – or plaything. Shoes sing, empty dresses dance and electrical tape blossoms into roses. creating a world of possibilities where the only certainty is laughter.

There are singing shoes, a ‘babycopter’ and a techno dustbin. There is far more audience participation than would be right or proper for anyone else, but for The Boy With Tape On His Face, it is oxygen. For the audience, emboldened and mollified by the fact that a mute comedian can’t possibly slag them off, it’s a riot.

See Patrick Monahan Live

Patrick a Geordie of Irish/Iranian origin and that mix makes for a comedian as mental as you’d imagine. He was the star of the festival last year and he returns this year after an amazing 2011 that saw him win ITV’s “Show me the Funny” with a £100,000 first prize. He has just completed his first headline tour in the UK and his first DVD comes out in November. A very special year for Patrick and we expect his usual warm audience banter and great comedy. A must see.

See Sanderson Jones Live

Sanderson Jones brings his critically acclaimed Edinburgh show, ‘ComedySale.Com’, to Clonmel for one night only on Saturday, 19th November. This is the event show of this years festival.

For this unique show, Sanderson must personally sell every ticket in person. The unique nature of this sales strategy means he knows everyone in the audience, and thus tailors the show to the crowd.

In order to book tickets for this truly original show, punters should contact Sanderson directly. He can be tweeted on @comedysale or emailed on sanderson@comedysale.com.

Jones will arrange to deliver tickets at a mutually convenient time. Alternatively Jones will announce his whereabouts on Twitter and Facebook so that people can track him down the week of the festival in Clonmel.

See Colin Murphy live

The Northern Irish comedian is one of the best MC in Ireland whose distinct fusion of “in your face” topical satire with acute observational material makes Colin a unique talent. Star of RTE’s “The Panel” and BBC 1’s “The Blame Game”.

See Andrew Maxwell Live

In the past few years Andrew Maxwell has been prolific on the live and festival circuit earning himself high-praise along the way. He performed to sell-out houses and received five star reviews at this year’s Edinburgh Festival as well as being nominated for the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award.

“A raucous laddish Irishman with a top-notch set, Maxwell injects life into any comedy night with his riotous and well-observed set.” Chortle

“One of the most significant comedians working in the country today” The Independent

See Ardal O’Hanlon Live

Ardal O’Hanlon has been called the Godfather of Irish stand-up. He is world famous for Fr Ted and he s one of the finest stand-ups Ireland has ever produced.

See Nina Conti Live

Nina started doing stand-up / ventriloquism in January 2002 and shot to fame by winning the BBC new Comedy award that same year. Since then for her writing, acting and ventriloquism she has won a load of other comedy awards most recently including the prestigious BARRY Award at the Melbourne Comedy festival for her solo show “Complete and Utter Conti”. Nina has some great characters including cheeky monkey and granddad.

See Adam Riches Live

Adam Riches has hit the comedy bigtime after he recently won the most prestigious award in comedy the Edinburgh Comedy Award 2011. Adam Riches trademark mix of character comedy, anarchic stagecraft and fearless level of audience engagement has seen him grow from strength to strength with every year.

His 2008, 2009, 2010 Edinburgh shows were all five star sell-outs and he is currently developing projects with BBC3, BBC Comedy Online and Radio 4. He recently appeared at Laughs in the Park alongside Eddie Izzard, Tommy Tiernan and Ross Noble.

‘Strange, superb and brilliantly funny’ CHORTLE

‘Really stupid. I loved it.’ THE TIMES

‘Gloriously funny character comic’ THE SCOTSMAN

See Phil Nichol Live

Phil Nichol is a truly unique performer. An acclaimed actor, award winning comedian, producer, presenter, writer and musician there is no end to his talent. He won the prestigious Edinburgh comedy Award in 2006.

Phil is an energetic and exciting performer with an unquenchable thirst to break boundaries and innovate with his work. His skill as an improviser whether it be musical, comedy or straight is unparalled. With a surreal edge to some of his mischievous rantings Nichol always brings something new to the stage, his keen sense of fun and eye for the shocking and absurd has cemented his position as one of the best comedians on the circuit today.

See Doc Brown Live

Direct from total sell out runs at the Edinburgh Festival and Soho Theatre, Doc Brown brings his hilarious stand up to Ireland. A sublime mixture of rap music and comedy. Doc Brown is unique in stand up where he mixes stories of is days rapping with Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen with great stand up.

‘The Bill Bailey or Tim Minchin of rap.’ Chortle.

‘If Brown keeps mining this rich seam of hip-hop comedy, his fame should look after itself’ Guardian.

See Chris Ramsey Live

CHRIS Ramsey is from Newcastle and he has that northern England cheeky chap persona where girls love him and guys want to be him. He has a likeable, warm stand up style. He was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award this year and he is expected to be huge in the coming year. Chris has appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4) Comedy Rocks (ITV1) and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC THREE).

“Frighteningly talented… tearing up every stage he lands on” GQ

“This rising star has likeability in spades and bags of confidence – all of which is borne out by his high-quality, consistently funny observational material.” The Guardian

“The effervescent Chris Ramsey is a rare thing in comedy, a positive comedian chock full of good will. The Geordie is patently not an angry comic and it’s incredibly infectious.” BBC Comedy

See Jason Cook Live

Be ready for pretty much anything when Jason Cook takes to the stage. Behind his cheerful Geordie exterior lurks a dark, sharp comedic mind capable of taking an unsuspecting audience to places they didn’t want to go. Jason has a way of presenting true-to-life stories that drag you in and won’t let go, close to the edge but always intriguing and blessed with the sort of charm that’ll have you laughing in spite of yourself.

Jason has had several solo stand up show to the Edinburgh Fringe, selling out for the bulk of the run, and earning 5 star reviews. He has also scooped the coveted “Best International Show” at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, an award previously won by Eddie Izzard and Stephen K Amos.

It is Jason’s style of being completely honest about everything he talks about in his shows that have endeared him to the public, earning an army of fans and invites to perform across the globe. His ability to lift an entire audience, from 150 to 3000 people, and carry them on his journeys, is unparalleled and has seen him rise to stand shoulder to shoulders of the very best in the word.

Time Out, London
Show Rating: 5 Stars

“Jason Cook’s latest show is a wonderfully life-affirming, beautifully crafted, total and utter joy. My jaw aches from laughing. ”

The Skinny
Show Rating: 5 Stars
“Few people have his warmth and spontaneity; it’s an act you’d gladly watch again and again.”

Karl Spain recently celebrated ten years in Stand Up comedy. Karl is the only comedian to take part of all 5 years of the Bulmers Comedy Festival and we are delighted he is back for the 5th Anniversary this year. Karl is probably best known in Ireland for his TV series Karl Spain Wants A Woman which was a huge success in that he not only got huge ratings but he also found himself a woman. In 2009 he filmed Karl Spain Wants to Rock but did not get a woman from that show.

Keith recently appeared on BBC’s Michael Mcintyre Comedy Roadshow, and will appearing on RTE in November with his own show, Money, Money, Money: Keith Farnan versus the Economy which sold out the Edinburgh Festival. He has performed as a stand-up all over the world, from the Boston International Comedy Festival to Hong Kong to the Middle East. His debut show ‘Cruel and Unusual’, a comedy show against the Death Penalty in America, garnered much attention from media and punters alike at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and went on to become part of the Royal Festival Halls Xmas Festival in London as well as the N20 Comedy Festival and lead to him becoming a regular on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends. His second show No Blacks. No Jews. No Dogs. No Irish. All Welcome went on to sell out its run at the Soho Theatre. His third show, Sex Traffic is currently touring and is being adapted for television.

See Eric Lalor Live

Eric Lalor’s first foray into comedy was a bit unusual. In 2006, as one of the participants of RTE Two’s Des Bishop’s Joy In The Hood, his first ever gig was filmed on his home turf of Ballymun in Dublin and broadcast to the entire nation.

Since then, Eric has gone from strength to strength and has now garnered a reputation in Irish comedy as a consistent performer, making him one of the most sought after acts in the country. His first year in the highly competitive world of stand-up comedy saw him win the Comedy Cellar and Capital Comedy Club’s Best Newcomer Award.

As a capable, flexible performer it is hard to pigeon hole his act. His warm, energetic onstage presence makes for an unforgettable experience for the audience. With gags that always hit the spot, his engaging, high intensity performances make him one of the top names of ‘must see’ comedians. Eric has completed his first solo run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and he is on fire.

See Biddy O’Loughlin Live

Biddy O’Loughlin, an Irish-based Australian, delivers a sharp, storytelling style of stand up comedy. She started performing her charmingly dark material in Dublin’s International Bar last year and has since performed across Ireland, Australia and the UK, supporting many Irish and international acts. Her debut solo show, The Girl Who Thought She Was Irish, was a “surprisingly engaging and thoroughly charming show” (whatsonstage) at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

“This newcomer is definitely one to look out for, but watch out: Biddy will charm your socks off and then steal your shoes.” fringe review ****

“Combining story-telling, stand-up and beautifully sung musical interludes, this is a great performance covering a wide range of social issues – but it’s definitely not for the easily offended or faint-hearted.” three weeks ****

See Damien Clarke Live

Damian Clark burst into the Irish & UK comedy circuit in 2005 and within weeks was hailed ‘The Number 1 event to see’ and ‘Cream of the crop’ (InDublinMagazine).
After several acclaimed TV performances in Australia plus two prestigious comedy awards under his belt, Damo moved to Ireland where teaming up with fellow comic Andrew Stanley, wrote and co-starred in RTE TV’s I Dare Ya (‘Critics’ Choice’ – The Irish Times, ‘A smash hit’ – The Sunday Mirror) which was the highest rating debut of an Irish TV comedy show to date.

Since then, Clark has written and performed for such shows as IFTA Nominated Best Entertainment Program – The Savage Eye, The Republic of Telly, The Apprentice: You’re Fired! and his appearance on Katherine Lynch’s Wonder Women was voted on TV3 as ‘one of the funniest moments on Irish TV in the past 50 years’.

Now Damo headlines clubs all over Ireland, the UK, Europe and is the founder and regular host of The Comedy Shed, north side Dublin’s leading alternative comedy club since it started in 2008.

In 2010 Damo played to sold out crowds in the Kilkenny Cat Laughs, Carlsberg Comedy Carnival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and alongside Andrew Stanley hosted the Electric Picnic Comedy Tent for the second year running.

‘A relentless onslaught of crippling laughs.’ – The Skinny, UK, 2009

‘Hilariously daft…unforgettable stuff’ – chortle.co.uk, 2010

See Chris Kent Live

Winner of the Comedy Smackdown at the Galway Comedy festival 2010 and winner of The Bulmers Nuttin’ But Funny Competition 2009, Chris Kent is one of Ireland’s rapidly aspiring comedians and a regular MC at Cork’s City Limits comedy club. His sharp style preys on his own everyday life, along with his simplistic views of the world we live in today.