Held at the Corner House Pub on Newmarket Road, the event features some carefully selected up-and-coming acts from Cambridge and beyond, as well as established acts trying out new stuff. Headliner for the event will be the fantastic President Obonjo of the Lafta Republic, while your host for the evening is resident compere and talented local comedienne Ali Warwood. Other acts include Charley Harrison, Lucy Thompson and Thomas Rackham (starts 8pm, free entry – donations welcome).
www.facebook.com/cambridgecommoners
Then, as part of Impington Village College’s 75th birthday celebrations, Custard Comedy is holding a local comedy night, featuring a clutch of top comedians, on 30 January.
Headliner for the night is co-star of BBC 4’s Getting On, Ricky Grover – described as “the funniest person I’ve ever seen” by The Independent’s reviewer. An award-winning writer, Ricky will be recognised by many as Andrew in EastEnders and he also took the lead role in his 2011 film Big Fat Gypsy Gangster. He’s appeared as a guest comedian and actor in such landmark British comedy television programmes as Red Dwarf, Fist of Fun and Black Books. His first love however is stand-up comedy.
Also appearing is Steve Day who describes himself as Britain’s only deaf comedian, quipping that if there are any others, he hasn’t heard. Actually, a couple more have emerged since he wrote that joke, but still, it’s only a joke. For the past 11 years, Steve, described as “revelatory and very funny” by The Guardian, has been performing to adoring crowds around the country and abroad.
On the bill too is globetrotting Matthew Baylis, bringing his own unique brand of unashamedly middle-class comedy and sharing stories of growing up and getting old in the leafy suburbs of middle England. He has been praised for his “ticklingly dry wit and razor-sharp crowd-work” by The Gazette. Rounding off the rib-tickling list is Ben Van Der Velde. A stand-up comedian, actor, improviser and presenter, Ben has spread joy and nonsense to all four corners of England over the past few years, gigging for the likes of The Stand, Komedia, Just the Tonic, The Backyard Comedy Club and Comedy Cafe.
Doors open at 8pm, and the show starts at 8.15pm. Over 18s only. Tickets £12.50.