VAT & Giggle

VAT & Giggle

Join us for a fantastic night of stand up comedy at the VAT & Fiddle !

Don’t miss this opportunity to see these 5 fantastic acts:

Tony Cowards (MC)

Tony is a rapidfire gag merchant with an arsenal full of one-liners, for laughs-per-minute he’s a tough act to beat! His quick wit has made him a sought after act and compere by comedy clubs and promoters across the UK and even for gigs worldwide.

Something of a Twitter sensation, Tony’s jokes turn up in all sorts of places, from greetings cards to The Times newspaper, even if you’ve never heard of him there’s a good chance that you’ll have laughed at one of his gags.

Tony’s likable ‘everyman’ character and wide ranging humour (mostly clean) means he is comfortable in front of any audience and is regularly booked to host comedy nights for the military (from the Irish Guards to the Royal Army Dental Corps to top brass at Norwood HQ), universities, football, rugby, golf and cricket clubs, festivals and for corporate and after dinner work.

Tony is also an accomplished MC and has had residencies at several clubs in London, Essex and the South-West, he expertly warms up audiences and sets up rooms so that everyone has a great night. In 2013, Tony supported Billy Pearce on tour at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre and won the AudioGo Comedy Competition.

In July 2014, he won third place in the prestigious ‘English Comedian of the Year’ competition.

Alex Boardman (Headliner)

Alex Boardman is now one of the most sought after acts in the country due to his ability to interact with any audience and to seemingly conjure something out of nothing. His free flowing style and natural charm breeze through in performances. His unique brand of “Flattery and abuse” is done with a lack of malice and a big sense of fun.

He was the warm-up act for An Evening with Eric Cantona at The London Palladium (2017) and The Lowry Salford (2017) and also for Paul Hollywood Bake Off Tour (2015) performing over 40 dates across theatres in the UK and Dublin.

Before you ask, he is no relation to Stan Boardman.

“Alex started stand up the year before me at the same dodgy backrooms and pubs in Manchester. He has gone on to be one of the most assured confident stand ups on the circuit and regularly plays all the top comedy clubs here and abroad. I employed him as a writer when I was on 8 Out of 10 cats, he is quality.” – JASON MANFORD

“Very Funny, a rare mixture of wit and charm.” – THE GUARDIAN

“Alex was one of a small band of writers who worked on the second series of John Bishop’s Britain on BBC 1 and he made a significant contribution to it being the highest rated stand up show of 2011 bringing in six million viewers a week. He can turn material around quickly and has the great skill of enhancing existing ideas to make a show better rather than just wishing to force his own material which makes him a great collaborator.” – JOHN BISHOP

Susan Murray (Opener)

Susan has emerged as one of the best female stand-ups in the UK and was the first ever woman to MC Decompression gigs for the British Army / CSE. She is in the top 100 Huffington Post funny women Tweeters. She’s wrote for and was a guest on Jeremy Hardy Talks To The Nation and has also starred in Stephen K Amos’ Idiots Guide both for Radio 4. She has penned 4 successful solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival as well as performing in several comedy plays and sketches. She made her TV acting debut in the 3rd series of ITV’s “The Job Lot” alongside Jo Enright and Russell Tovey. She is currently presenting on East London Radio and about to go on tour with Britain’s Got Talent star Daliso Chaponda. Dates are here.

Not only that Susan has penned a chapter about comedy in Counter Culture UK A Celebration.

She has written and starred in the topical web show ‘Britain’s Got People’ with Dave Cohen ( Have I Got News For You/ Horrible Histories). Susan is working nationally for the majority of promoters and clubs in the UK and has gigged internationally; Quatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, Luxembourg, Brussels, Ireland. Her versatility means that as well as corporate gigs Susan works Biker Festivals and music festivals including Glastonbury, Bestival, The Big Chill, Reading, V, Download. Acting credits include starring in the TV comedy drama “Love, Lies and Lipstick” for ITV, Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen (Pleasance, Edinburgh Festival and Garrick London) and Itch Scratch at The Pleasance Theatre.

“Feisty fire-headed pocket rocket “ – Broadway Baby.

“Her ability to make quirky connections allows her to build a compelling believable and richly funny picture of 21st century womanhood..Anyone who loves the work of Sarah Millican and Kerry Godliman will find plenty to enjoy here” – The Guardian

Mike Carter (Middle)

Mike Carter is an up and coming comedian on the UK comedy scene and is fast becoming a fixture on the North West circuit and beyond.

Combining classic Scouse wit with contemporary observations of post University life and pop culture, Mike has won audiences over with a warm hearted delivery of some wry jabs.

He is fast becoming in demand at all the major clubs.

Mike has been a two time King Gong winner, a finalist in the Liverpool Echo & XS Radio Manchester New Comedian Competitions.

A semi finalist in So You Think You’re Funny 2015 and Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian 2016 and finished in third place in Nandos New Comedian of the Year 2016 and also competed in the Beat the Frog World Series 2015 & 20

“His whole performance was excellent. This was a smashing set by Carter” – NOTTS COMEDY REVIEW
“See him now before you have to pay big money” – SMACKED ARSE COMEDY
“One of my favourite people in comedy” – RYAN GLEESON, BLACKPOOL COMEDY STATION

Kent Cameron

An up and coming comedian with a medically certified giant personality. Booking Kent is a safe pair of hands- literally you won’t find a bigger pair on the circuit.

“Kent Cameron takes to the stage and has the audience in his grasp within seconds. One to watch and pleasure to book” – Jordan Handford, Laffalot Promotions
“Kent Cameron is a relative newcomer to the comedy world but is really starting to stand out in a crowded market; a very engaging performer who really connects with an audience with his diverse subject matter including self deprecation and his Scottish roots; coupled with his ability to think on his feet and react to audience banter he looks set to really start moving up the comedy ladder in the next twelve months; comfortable with a diverse demographic he appeals to a wide range of people which is a real advantage as it allows him to play to an equally wide range of clubs.” – Nik Hill, Gloucester Brewery (in association with funhouse comedy)
“Kent Cameron fills the stage like a gentle giant. His writing and delivery are all on point with lots of very funny jokes from a unique perspective. Likeable, engaging and entertaining. A strong addition to any lineup. Highly recommended ” – Daniel Lythe, the Top Notch Comedy
“he hit the stage like Taz and presented 27 minutes of gold. You’d have thought it was packed if you listened in.” – Ian Peskett, Promotor

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 an 18+ event and may contain strong language.