SaturdaY 17TH JUNE
show listings
THE crypt
2pm Hastings Comedy Festival Newcomer of 2023 ''The Norman Award''
The Hastings Comedy Festival Newcomer of the year is back for 2023 as 8 of the best emerging comedians from the UK comedy scene take to the stage for a fantastic event of live comedy hosted by Award Winning Comedian, BBC writer, MC, and partial human Barry Ferns
Join us to see who will win this years Norman award and get to wear the prestigious 1066 battle helmet
Previous winners include Sam Lake, Russell Arathoon, Michael Odewale & Matt Rouse
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
8pm Olaf Falafel: Look What Fell Out Of My Head
Olaf Falafel was the holder of 'Dave's Best Joke Of The Fringe' from 2019 to 2022 but more importantly he is currently the holder of 'Person Whose Show Description You Are Currently Reading And Are Tempted To Book Tickets For'. Olaf personally guarantees two things - it will be stupid and it will be funny.
“A big, beautiful bearhug of a show.” ★★★★ - The Scotsman. “Visual gags piled on top of other visual gags.” ★★★★ - Beyond The Joke. “Several gags to rival his best joke of the Fringe in 2019” ★★★★ - Gonzo Magazine
Book online to reserve seat for £10 plus small booking fee/ £12.50 on the door
THE NEST
5pm Nick Elleray Is Down To Clown (Work in Progress)
Nick Elleray is an award-winning comic that just wants to make you laugh and not get all heavy or anything, man. This is a work-in-progress show that will definitely have a quantity of laughs in it. I mean, that's really up to you, as well - it's not all on his shoulders. And he lives in Hastings, so you'll probably run into him on the street occasionally during the rest of the year, so it's probably less awkward if you just laugh loads and make it a positive experience for everyone involved. Note: show does not feature any actual clowning.
3 time nominee for the BBC New Comedy Award.
Finalist in Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2022
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
6:15pm Jed Salisbury
Jed Salisbury is an accomplished performer and writer, known for his outstanding contributions to the Hull Comedy scene. As well being part of the ‘2022 Best In Class’ that won the DAVES Edinburgh Panel Prize ‘Spirt of the Fringe Award’. Salisbury established himself as a star on the rise. Setting Salisbury apart from other comedians is his ability to connect with his audience. Whether he's cracking jokes about his own flaws or poking fun at the absurdities of the world around us, Salisbury's comedy strikes a chord with everyone who's ever felt like life was getting the best of them He is bringing he unique brand of humour to the Hastings Comedy Festival 2023.
"…impeccable timing, quick wit, and a knack for finding humor in everyday situations" - BBC
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
7:30pm Elliot Steel
Marked as 'One to Watch' by the Independent, Elliot Steel (co-host of hit podcast Btec Philosophers) is a rising talent on the UK's comedy circuit. Receiving critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his show Merked in 2019, you won't want to miss this brand-new work in progress show. As seen on Comedy Central's Roast Battle and Live from the Comedy Store, and as heard on BBC Radio 1's Comedy Lounge and BBC Radio 4. Best Debut Show Nominee at Leicester Comedy Festival 2015. ‘Confident, accomplished and very clever… it is worth noting that he is a rising star. A talented comedian with much to say and one to be watched. If he’s on a bill, go and see him.’ FringeReview ‘Astute quips which leave us all in tears from laughing’ ★★★★1/2 - Short Com ‘His millennial pearls of wisdom definitely deserve bigger crowds’ ★★★★ - The List
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
8:45pm The Late One at The Nest
Join us for "THE LATE ONE" at the Nest with one of Hull's funniest men and fast becoming a Hastings fan favourite the one and only Gary Jenninson! Gary self-confesses that he's at least 20% funnier "down south" and Welcomes 8 top comedians from the UK comedy circuit to perform live on Saturday night.
(Show ends at 11pm)
Book online to reserve seat for £10 plus small booking fee/£12.50 on the door
ELECTRIC PALACE
7:30pm Alice Fraser: Twist (Work in Progress)
The moment you think you’ve got a handle on things, life throws you a twist. This is a show about the unexpected and the twists... or is it? Award-winning Alice Fraser’s gut-punch comedy has earned her comedy specials, TV, and radio appearances (Amazon Prime, BBC, ABC TV).
Her comedy spans the satirical, social, philosophical and personal, adeptly infused with her trademark silliness and clever charm.
The co-host of Andy Zaltzman’s cult The Bugle podcast is back in Edinburgh, where she was named one of The Telegraph's Best Shows Of 2022.
★★★★★ "Breathtakingly funny" Edinburgh Guide
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
8:45pm Ria Lina: Riawakening (Preview)
In the aftermath of a global pandemic, comedian and scientist, Ria Lina has had a Riawakening and sees the world differently. In this, her highly anticipated debut tour, Ria tackles the issues of coming out of a global pandemic, the new normal, divorce, dating in a new digital world, motherhood and what it really means to be a woman today. Fearless, provocative, and very funny, Ria Lina is the only Filipina comedian in British stand-up and a hugely admired talent in the comedy industry. Her extensive list of credits includes Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, Lovestruck High, Richard Hammond’s Brain Reaction, House of Games, The Last Leg and Celebrity Mastermind. ★★★★ “I guarantee you will laugh a lot.” THE SCOTSMAN
Book online to reserve seat for £10 plus small booking fee/£12.50 on the door
10pm Mad Ron: Crime School
Mad Ron talks to you about how life is on the outside. The modern World isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and you need to be prepared. “Absolutely brilliant character comedy, delivered perfectly. Definitely worth seeing if you want belly laughs and tips on committing crime.” Sally Thomas “I got a word of mouth tip off: @MadRonSpanners Crime School @Justthetonic #edfringe
An absolute gem. A masterclass in criminality (and comedy writing) from Uxbridge’s third hardest man. Packed with gags, and I discovered my gangster name - Cheesy Fred” – Lucy porter (on Twitter)
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
JENNY LINd
5pm Aidan Goatley: 10 Films with my Dad: The Director's Cut
How do fathers & sons communicate? For Aidan and his dad it's films. Join him in a new updated version of this show that's been performed in 16 countries and sold out for 5 years at the Edinburgh Fringe.
'A brilliant comedian' - Paul Sinha
'The most happy, optimistic and funny show you'll see' - Fringe Guru *****
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
6:15pm Adele Cliff
Adele brings all her very best new jokes, ideas and wisdom to Hastings. The star of many a best joke list (Dave's Jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe 2019, '18, '17 and '16, The Telegraph, i Newspaper, Evening Standard, Irish Times) and a the 2020 winner of UK Pun Championships presents all her hopefully future award winning thoughts! ***** "Guaranteed Laughs" - The Student Newspaper "A consummate jokesmith... the perfect mid afternoon treat." - British Comedy Guide
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
7:30pm President Obonjo: African Zelensky
Zelensky has proven that fictional Presidents can become real Presidents watch as President Obonjo proves to the world that he is a Real President.
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
8:45pm Jack Hester: 1 Extremely Funny Irish Man!
Jack Hester is a high energy good craic Irish comedian. His warm friendly personality instantly puts audience at ease confident in the fact they are in safe hands. An audience and a critic favourite. He has be described as a comic who hits the sweet spot between confidence and the feeling he could say anything and get away with it.
“A comic with strong storytelling skills “ Chortle website. “Extremely funny Irish comedian” Bearcat comedy.
Jack is a regular weekend performer on the London circuit, having performed at The Comedy Store, Top Secret, Backyard, Headliners, Bearcat, The Stand Up Club, Angel and City Comedy to name a few. He also did a full run at the Edinburgh fringe in 2022.
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
10pm Paul Merryck: Who let him in?
Paul Merryck re-emerges from the Essex Swamplands with a new show that will cleverly deconstruct the dialectic of modern stand-up comedy, by a telling a lot of stupid jokes and daft short stories, tenuously held together by the narrative thread of a crap middle-aged bloke who spends his life in the pub.
Is it character comedy? Yes, it is, as ‘Paul Merryck’ is the complex comedic construct of comedian Paul Merryck, who in a devotion to method acting techniques hitherto unknown within the lower echelons of the UK Comedy Circuit, has spent the last 40 years of his life being an utterly useless bastard, only in order to be true to his art and bring you ‘Paul Merryck’.
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
the good place
7:30pm Micky Overman: The Stuff
Returning to Hastings Comedy Festival for the 5th time, comedian Micky Overman (★★★★ - Wee Review) brings a brand new show full of jokes, opinions and silliness, with topics including: robots, diapers, Greek Gods, fairy tales and more! "A pin-sharp torrent of precision gags and delightfully silly one-liners" (The Observer)
As seen on ITV2, Micky Overman has written for and acted in sketches for Channel 4 and BBC3, and her social media sketches have received millions of views
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
8:45pm Patrick Spicer
A new hour of comedy from Patrick Spicer, the undisputed world champion of telling jokes that he has written. As seen on BBC One, Channel 4, and BBC iPlayer, and with. 2M+ views on Instagram and TikTok. Nominee: Chortle Best Newcomer and Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year.
**** "Classic comedy at its finest... A totally relatable comedy masterclass." - Mumble Comedy
**** "A natural storyteller - his stories weave into each other with ease" - The Skinny
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
10pm Wilson Milton & Trevor Bickles presents: It’s ok to laugh
A comedy show that pulls no punches, tests boundaries but don’t worry…. It’s ok to laugh
Wilson & Trev are just to normal working class geezers who have a unique outlook on life.
Wilson and Trever are regulars on the pro Circuit with Wilson recently breaking into the London Comedy Store, to perform not to rob the place
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
YE OLDE PUMP HOUSE
3:45pm Stephen Catling: Beehavioural problems : something something autism
Comedic powerhouse Stephen Catling (Finalist for Stand-up Nights 2019 and Stand-up for cider 2023 ) brings you his new surrealist escapade droning about work as an autistic person and dealing with the struggles that this brings in a world that claims it doesn't want people to BEE themselves or be themselves while bumbling between other animal-based sketches including but not exclusively the titular Bee. (Warning the show does not feature as many bees as the title implies).
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
5pm Tom Mayhew
Working-class comedian Tom Mayhew - as head on BBC Radio 4 series Tom Mayhew is Benefit Scum - returns to Hastings with a Work in Progress show about dreams and endless hope. But it's mainly jokes about how weird and annoying capitalism is. As heard on The Alexei Sayle Podcast.
'Passionate, articulate and hilarious.' **** (Skinny). 'Mayhew is a voice that needs to be heard’ **** (Chortle.co.uk).
'Comedy shining a light on some grim, unjust places' **** (Scotsman). 'This is political comedy from a fresh and necessary perspective' **** (TheWeeReview.com). 'The acceptable face of class war' (Mark Watson).
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
6:15pm Rebekka Turner: Bex’s Chainsaw Moussaka
There’ll be no storytelling and no moral messages but there’ll be jokes, wordplay, characters, impressions and if you’re lucky some meaty layers between those aubergines. Bex is back with her high-energy stand-up show full of weird stuff you weren’t expecting! Come on a whimsical journey as she tries to embrace her neurodiverse personality.
Quarter Finalist in Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2018, The Pebble Trust Brighton Fringe Award 2018. “Darkly nonsensical” (Will Noble, The Londonist 2021)
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
7:30pm Louise Atkinson: Mates
A night out with your mates is never complete unless someone has cried over their ex, you've made a new best friend in the toilets and you've done 3 laps of the bar trying to find Lisa. Seriously, where is Lisa?
Our friends are our chosen family and we go through so much with them. From the happiest times, to suffering friend break ups, grab a pint (of wine) and Louise will run you through some of her funniest times.
Book online to reserve seat for £5 plus small booking fee/£6.50 on the door
Listings are subject to change
