Duchess Theatre Stand Up Comedy Night

Join us for a night of absolute hilarity as 4 stand up comedians, with multiple TV credits to their name, appear at the beautiful Duchess Theatre for one night only !

Let’s meet the acts:

Sol Bernstein (Closer)

When a legend reaches a certain point in their career, it’s time to ease up on doing legendary things and reflect on an exemplary life. Sol Bernstein has reached that point, and he invites us to listen to his tales of the high life with the biggest names in showbiz, musings on how the world has changed, and being just an ordinary Jew with world-beating wit, unbounded talent and death-defying chutzpah.

Singer, dancer, comedian, magician, actor and musician Sol Bernstein was born in Ukraine. Having been rated Best Triangle Player by Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington in the 1950s, he went on to perform across the globe at venues such as The London Palladium, New York’s Carnegie Hall, The Paris Olympia, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and Scunthorpe Working Mens Club.

But despite such a life, Sol has suffered unforgiveable injustice. Heard of Elvis Presley? No? How about The Beatles? Really? Ok then, surely Marcel Marceau? Good. Well, Sol Bernstein launched the careers of these greats and many more*, and what did he get for it? Nada. Nothing, not even a ‘thank you’. But having escaped the Pogroms in Russia and the Nazis in Germany as a child, Bernstein is no stranger to pain and hardship – in all their forms – have made the man what he is. Such struggles – be they life-threatening or female nagging – give Sol Bernstein not only the inspiration to face each new day but the material for his limitless supply of comedy shtick. The resulting performances have given the man good reason to enjoy fame and build friendships with the likes of Burt Bacharach, James Brown and Harry Hill. He’s still waiting for the fame.

Sol Bernstein has got so much to say and being now in his 80s, so little time to say it. Catch this legend and genius while you still have the chance.

Ian Whitcombe (MC)

Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Taskmaster and Britain’s Got Talent are just a few of the programmes Ian’ has never appeared on. The list is endless!

Groan-inducing puns, sparkling one-liners and stories about where doctors like to put their fingers mean that this act is a must-see.

‘Ian’s one-liners are well thought out, clever and genuinely laugh out loud’ – Oli Clarke, Toolmakers Comedy Club

‘Ian has a natural & likeable stage presence with good pacing and nice jokes’ – Greg Phillips – Laffa Cake Comedy

Roger Monkhouse (Opener)

Roger Monkhouse is one of the most original and distinctive acts on the comedy scene.  A consummate stand-up who employs a deadly combination of charm and menace to exert a masterful control over any audience.  A highly original and quirky performer, Roger’s trademark stage-prowling style and curious, inimitable manner have established him as one of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.

Distinguished as a comic by his eloquence and keen eye for a fine phrase, Roger’s easy observational style is spiked by the signal flares of an accomplished gag writer.  A supremely confident compere and seasoned corporate host, Roger is happy to improvise freely with a crowd and is at great ease bantering with an audience, but has no shortage of first class observational material in his armoury.

As one of the most sought after acts on the comedy circuit, Roger headlines at all the major comedy venues and has performed extensively throughout the United Kingdom and Internationally, most recently performing in Belgium, The Netherlands, South Africa, China, Singapore and the Middle East.  He has also featured on major national tours of the UK sponsored by Hooch and J2O and his television credits include Channel 5′s ‘The Comedy Store’.

A fine topical writer and performer, and master of sharp observational comedy, Roger is a regular member of the prestigious and critically acclaimed ‘Cutting Edge’ team at the London Comedy Store.  He also performed with the Manchester based topical and satirical team ‘MEN at Work’ at the Manchester Comedy Store.  His forte is delivering intelligent, thought provoking material that pulls no punches and is always incisive, relevant and up to date.  Articulate, quick witted and spontaneous, if something’s in the news, Roger has a routine about it.

Roger’s distinctive voice and sharp enunciation make him particularly suited to voice over work.  Raised in Kingston upon Thames, he retains his Estuary drawl and remains untainted by a South Yorkshire accent despite a decade of living in Sheffield.

“unfailingly entertaining and skilfully able to pull punch-lines, seemingly, out of thin air” – Chortle

“packs in more observations on the human condition in a twenty minute set than a whole lecture on Jean-Paul Sartre” – Venue Magazine

“an enthusiasm akin to that of an excitable professor who’s just found the gene that would enable a python to grow a beard” – Manchester Evening News

“Witnessing a Roger (no relation to the late, great but distinctly orange Bob) Monkhouse gig is a little like watching a dotty old university professor at work.  Although much funnier, of course” – Manchester Evening News

“Highly regarded by his peers on the circuit – he’s shaven-headed, topical, good, and nothing to do with Bob” – Evening Standard

“Some of the material’s saucy – and uncompromisingly so – other parts are passionate and polemic.  He’s sometimes topical, sometimes clever, sometimes daft.  There is, in short, something in this varied comedy menu for every taste…a gifted natural…one of the consummate professionals of the stand-up circuit” – Chortle

Doug Carter (Middle)

Winner of the Midlands Comedy Awards Best Newcomer and Rising Star in consecutive years, 2018 and 2019. Notts Comedy Review Best Newcomer, 2018. NCF New Comedian Competition winner 2019.

‘This guy is one to watch’ – Comedy Lounge Hull.

‘Carter had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand almost as soon as he picked the mic up.’ – Peter Fox – Notts Comedy Review

Please be advised that our comedy line-ups are subject to change. Our talented comedians are in high demand and, on occasion, may need to cancel at short notice for television or radio recordings, among other reasons. Rest assured, we will always provide a replacement act of similar quality to ensure that our guests receive a great overall show experience.

While most of our guests come for the entire show, we understand that some may be traveling to see a particular comedian. If that’s the case, we recommend checking our website on the day of the show or joining our mailing list to receive the latest updates on any changes to the line-up. We’re committed to providing our guests with the best possible experience, and we thank you for your understanding.

This event is a 18+ event and may contain strong language.