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Welcome to Hen & Chickens
The Hen & Chickens Theatre
The Hen & Chickens Theatre is a beautiful intimate venue with 54 individual raked seats in a black box end on space. It is upstairs in the cosy Victorian pub the Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar on Highbury corner. The Box office and stairs to the theatre are straight ahead as you enter the bar.
This wonderful venue has been established for over 25years and has an excellent reputation for new writing and comedy. Unrestricted View, the resident Production Company and have been producing shows and programming visiting companies for the last twelve years. Unrestricted View is run for and by actors and are committed to brilliant new writing and comedy
The shows at the Hen & Chickens are selected for their fun, relevance, humour, writing, quality of actors and directors, the promise of exciting companies, innovation, exploration of ideas, and enjoyment. We tend to veer towards light hearted productions and do our best to support producers/performers striving for excellence in their field.
The theatre is well known for friendliness, atmosphere, and good times.
We have an excellent relationship with the pub and many an evening we can find the performers celebrating their artistic successes with their audience in the warmth of the candlelit bar. The Hen & Chickens Bar is well stocked with fine wines and an extensive list of beers and specialised spirits. Freshly cooked bar food is available.
You can book for all our shows online (please see link to Ticketweb) or by phoning the theatre directly on our reservation line: 020 7704 2001.
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Late Night Gimp Fight - New January Show
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26th, 27th & 28th Jan 7.30pm, 24th & 25th Feb and 23rd & 24th March at 9.30pm £7.50
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Late Night Gimp Fight kick off 2012 with a run of Brand New hour-long monthly shows. Returning to the Hen & Chickens  Theatre, where it all began for them, the gimps will be trying new material in an intimate setting working towards a brand new show for 2012.
Showcasing the best of their new writing, latest musical numbers and some under-rehearsed dance moves these shows will provide a glimpse of what we can expect next from the country's most exciting Sketch Group.
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Tom Rosenthal: His New Materials
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27th Jan & 16th Feb 9.30pm £6
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Tom Rosenthal was nominated for best breakthrough act at the British Comedy Awards this year and is still trying. Star of Channel 4's 'Friday Night Dinner', Channel 5's 'Get your balls out'' and Channel 6's 'Why? Why?' he is the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2011 and wants you to watch him.
Having come from a total sell-out Edinburgh run of his first show 'Child of Privilege', he has some new things to say, possibly about different things, definitely using different words. Canapes not served.
Spoonfed *****
"Vibrant, intelligent and fantastically-arranged...crackles with energy and glows with originality."
Chortle ****
"Intimate and well crafted, with nothing left to chance."
Timeout ****
"A talented rising star."
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Sarah Kendall - Stand Up
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28th Jan & 6th Feb 9.30pm £6.50
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Perrier Nominee and Time Out Comedy Award Nominee Sarah  Kendall previews her brand new stand up show before heading off for a national tour of Australia, including the Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney Festivals.
"This is brilliant observational comedy" The Sunday Times
* * * * * Chortle
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Ben Target - Failing to Progress & Naz Osmanoglu - Moderation is for Pussies
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29th January - Ben Target 7.30pm, Naz Osmanoglu 9.30pm £6.50 per show £10 for both.
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Ben Target - Failing to Progress 7.30pm £6.50
Ben Target's feeling the pressure, people are expecting too much of him these days. To make life easier he's going to lower any expectations you have of him and shatter the notion of hope forever. Be part of the team who shape the future of his performing career as he flagrantly tosses ideas about the place and hurls himself nonchalantly into the onslaught of 2012.
 "A hugely gifted prop comic whose shows are in equal parts delightful and unsettling" GUARDIAN GUIDE
“What a gem Target is… probably the most original, the most over-wrought and most audacious to be seen at the Fringe.” BROADWAY BABY
“This is certainly an experience like no other” THREE WEEKS
“Oh, what ridiculous fun you, and he, will have” SPOONFED
"for the most part lacks much skill or thrill" METRO
Naz Osmanoglu - Moderation is for Pussies 9.30pm £6.50
After his successful Edinburgh festival show, sweat-ridden Turkish Prince and Amateur Warlord Naz Osmanoglu returns to the Hen & Chickens with a brand new hour of material tackling balance in life. Epicurus once wrote "Be moderate in order to taste all the joys of life in abundance" but let's face it, he was talking sh*t: Don't just get wet, jump in. Don't do things by halves, its your birthday. Have your cake and eat it - because moderation is pussies.
As seen on "Russell Howard's Good News" BBC3
 “Impressivley macho… remarkable panache” The Guardian
“He looks like a Norwegian waiter and bellows like a cross between an over-sexed stripshow MC and a loopy gentleman balloonist” **** The Telegraph
“A blistering hour of ultra-confident comedy” ShortList 'Must See’
“An uncompromising Turkish warlord… armed with inspired original material, a sharp send of humour and star potential” The Metro
“Livewire Naz Osmanoglu is surely the heir to Rik Mayall’s throne” The Evening Standard ‘Ones to watch’
www.nazosmanoglu.com
@naz_osmanoglu
to see both shows £10.00
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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The Casual Violence: Portable Residency
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30th Jan 7pm £6.50
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Award-winning comedy troupe CASUAL VIOLENCE! proudly present a brand new monthly night in the heart of London: the world’s very first Portable Residency!
Join the "ludicrously inventive" five-star sketch powerhouse for the opening night of their ever-changing, ever-travelling new show.
Live music and pin-sharp comedy from CASUAL VIOLENCE!, with special guests PAPPY'S and COLIN HOULT.
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Jessica Pidsley in I Can Make You Thin(k)
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1st - 5th Feb at 7.30pm £9
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98% of people in the UK aren't happy with their bodies. That's  why Jessica Pidsley is 98% convinced you should see this show. Her unique brand of self-help stand-up can't change your body, but might just change your mind.
“Terrifically warm and funny” Guardian.
Screen International Star of Tomorrow.
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Mae Day: I'm Not Waving, I'm Drowning
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3rd Feb 9.30pm £7.50
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This year Canadian comic Mae Martin celebrated a decade of doing comedy  (she started at age 13) by taking her show "Mae Day: I'm Not Waving, I'm Drowning" to the Edinburgh Festival
* * * * - Scotsgay
The show mines her neurotic visions of the impending apocalypse – but it’s not a downer.
Now at the Hen and Chickens Theatre!
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Lights! Camera! Improvise!
By The Scatpack
4th & 18th Feb, 3rd March & 17th March 9.30pm £8.50
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Lights! Camera! Improvise!
 The improvised movie live on stage. Oscar has
every movie ever made... every film you could ever imagine. The
audience choose what the film is about, where its set and what its
called and Oscar finds the DVD.
The movie is created before your very eyes
complete with awesome action sequences, captivating plot and a thrilling
live film score. Oscar pauses and rewinds the best bits and cuts to
hilarious DVD extras.
★★★★★ “A rip-roaring laugh with fine acting from start to finish”
Edinburgh Reporter
★★★★ “Outstanding... Highly recommended.”
Broadway World
★★★★★ 'The final word in improvised comedy. Breathtaking.' New Current
★★★★★ 'Freakishly Talented.' Broadway Baby
★★★★ 'Hilarious.' Excellent.' Three Weeks
★★★★ 'The perfect Set-Up' List
Fringe Sell-Out 2009 & 2010
Winner - TNC Best Improv Award 2010
www.thescatpack.co.uk
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office
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Jen Brister in Now & Then - Work in Progress
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6th Feb 7.30pm £5
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The fabulous Jen Brister returns with her new show
 Now & Then...
A work in progress of funny things.
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office
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Doug Segal - I Know What You're Thinking
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7th Feb 7.30pm £5
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Following a sell out nationwide 2011 tour and a critically acclaimed sell out run at Edfringe Doug Segal brings his I Know What You Are Thinking show to The Hen & Chickens for a one off showcase.
 An interactive mind reading & mind control show unlike any other.
In this show the audience is the star as master mentalist Doug Segal (BBC1, BBC 3, MTV & others) teaches the audience how to:
• Predict the National Lottery
• Detect lies
• Read minds
• Implant subliminal suggestions
There’s nothing psychic or spooky – Everything is achieved using one or more of the following skills from Doug's background in psychology & advertising:
Persuasion techniques, statistics, reading body language, subliminal influence and two key advertising skills: Cheating & Lying
Hard science abused in the name of tawdry entertainment.
All done with laughs, rakish charm & a rock & roll attitude.
Evening Standard “Imagine if Derren Brown was funny”
Edinburgh Evening News: ««««" a show that leaves people open mouthed with astonishment & on their feet"
The Herald: "the sort of excitement you get when a show is catching fire. It’s standing room only. Segal rips it up, slick and in command"
Neil Gaiman: "Just watched Doug Segal. A really excellent mentalism show. Heart stopping. The highlight of my day"
What’s On Stage: ***** “The outside world largely falls away during Segal’s highly-participatory hour long show. Top priced Fringe shows do not come much better than this. Fringe gold.
The Skinny: **** “ one hell of a show“
Fringe Guru: **** “ A solid hour of unflagging amusement . I’ve seen Derren Brown live before now and I can honestly say I enjoyed Segal’s show more”
The Public Reviews: ***** “one of the best acts of its kind, not only at the fringe but also in the UK. A unique blend of mind reading, comedy and audience interaction ”
Edinburgh Spotlight : **** Top Ten Cabaret Picks Of The Fringe: “ a funny and fascinating show. the hour speeds past as the tricks build to a mind-boggling climax.”
Fringe Review: **** Number 1 Mentalism show of the fringe. “Doug Segal is a fantastic entertainer - very highly recommended.”
Fringe Guide: ***** “The buzz continued all the way down the stairs from people desperate to discussed how he pulled it off”
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Nick Hall – Progress in Work
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8th Feb 7.30pm £6.50
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2012 just got better! XY chromosome comic Nick Hall (One quarter of sketch group The Three Englishmen), teams up with XX chromosome comic Louise Ford (One half of Ford and Akram) for a brilliant all-new hour of comedy, characters and music.
You’ll laugh through your mouth and cry through your eyes!
“Bizarre, charismatic, and side- splittingly funny” –Three Weeks ★★★★★
“Charisma, wit and talent” – British Comedy Guide ★★★★★
“Comic excellence” – Broadway Baby ★★★★★
“Fun and cheerful, with some crackingly original ideas” – The List ★★★★
“Hawk-like eyes for the perfect dose of silliness” – The Skinny ★★★★
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Michael Jackson touched me - Work in Progress
By Dan Wright
9th Feb 7.30pm £5.00
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I'm 31 years old and I’m still obsessed with Michael Jackson. Get over it yeah?
For the last 20 years, I've followed my icon around the world, trying to persuade everyone in my way he's not the man the media has made out.
Not only has it annoyed the hell out of my friends and family, it’s now annoying me.
So what do I do? Is it time to hang up that white glove for the last time and accept people's opinions or should I be proud and stand up for what I believe in?
 In this journey, I will take a look back at why I became so obsessed with such a controversial figure and the difficulty I still have with letting it go. Filled with hilarious anecdotes of my experiences as a Jacko fan, this is a story about how being such a defensive ambassador for the man has affected my relationships with people around me.
This is a show less about Michael Jackson, but more about me and how being such an avid supporter of such a controversial figure has shaped me as a person.
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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The Book by The Spontaneity Shop
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9th & 21st Feb 9.30pm £6.50
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THE BOOK
The new generation of comedy improvisers comes to The Hen & Chickens for three nights only with a brand new show – a delightfully fresh take on improvised storytelling.
Not to be missed.
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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...and they called it Puppet Love Sketch Show
By Sticky Back
10th, 11th & 12th Feb 7.30pm £6.50
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Sticky Back presents '...and they called it Puppet Love Sketch  Show'.
Delightful shadow puppet dating, obscure relationships betwixt the
living and household objects and loved up couples you love to hate.
**** Three Weeks.
**** British Theatre Guide.
'Biguilingly bizarre' - The Stage.
'Unlike anything else on the circuit. Highly recommended' - LNGF.
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office
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Rachel Stubbings in Stubbing Out Problems: Live
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16th Feb 7.30pm £6.50
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Scenester, muse and agony aunt, Rachel Stubbings, is delighted to introduce herself and several of her patients in her debut show Stubbing Out Problems: Live.
 Laugh haplessly as Rachel's guests try to explain themselves, and then watch in awe as Rachel, with prophetic skill, sorts them all out. A mind blowing opportunity to learn about life.
“Destined for greatness” - Time Out
“An unusually high standard of innovation and comic writing” – The List
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Lou Sanders & Brett Goldstein - work in progress
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17th Feb 9.30pm £6.50
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Two comics do 40' previews of new material ahead of the Edinburgh festival. They are:
Lou Sanders with her show:
'And Now for a Nice Evening With Wallan'
• Lou was in the best new comics to watch out for 2012 The Sun Newspaper
• 'From the crazy off-beat surrealism of Lou Sanders, it seems like something new is happening in comedy.' The Independent 2011
• 'Very Funny' 'Destined for hughness' TimeOut
• “Like a British Kristen Schaal, she has a winning combination of eccentricity and confidence... I leave in no doubt that Lou Sanders is awesome indeed...one of the most exciting new comics to emerge from the 2011 Fringe” Spoonfed. ****
• “A technicolour joy... she throws herself into her ideas with reckless abandon and her irrepressible personality takes you along with it” London is Funny. ****
• British Comedy Guide ****
Brett Goldstein with his show: 'A Kind of Blue' 
• Brett has supported Patrick Monahan at the Royal Albert Hall
• A good story, brilliantly told... with an emotional acuity that matches his eye for absurdity and misadventure... Very fine.' **** The Times
• 'Brett Goldstein has such a great story to tell, it almost seems like cheating... Expertly told... with charisma and skill' **** Chortle
• 'Sharply written, impeccably delivered, always charming... warm, wise stuff, the show superficially small but the themes and laughs big' **** Daily Telegraph
• "Very amusing," Time Out
• "Brilliant," London Lite
• "Five Stars: just great entertainment, had the crowd laughing all the way through to the end," USA Weekly News
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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AmusedMoose LaughOff 2012
By supported by leading UK owned dvd company 2entertain
19th Feb 6pm, 20th Feb 7pm, 26th Feb 6pm & 8.15pm, 27th Feb 7pm, 4th March 6pm, 5th March 7pm, 12th March 7pm, 18th March 6pm, 19th March 7pm, 25th March 6pm & 8.15pm, 26th March 7pm, 2nd April 7pm. £6.50
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AmusedMoose LaughOff 2012 supported by leading UK owned dvd company 2entertain
The Hen & Chickens welcomes the London and Southern  England heats and quarterfinals of the prestigious AmusedMoose Laugh Off for the first time, featuring the most entertaining 20% of the 400+ entrants for the London rounds, who battle it out for fame and fortune like recent winners Jack Whitehall and Sarah Millican.
There is a £1500 cheque for the winner at the Final during the Edinburgh Fringe in August, plus loads of exposure, a shiny moose trophy, and possibilities of management offers and a dvd deal.
Full details are on: www.AmusedMoose.com/LaughOff
Sun 19 Feb at 6pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff heat 1, compered by Rob Beckett, AmusedMooseLaughOff 2010 winner. Tickets £6.50
Mon 20 Feb at 7pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff heat 2, compered by Rob Beckett, AmusedMooseLaughOff 2010 winner. Tickets £6.50
Sun 26 Feb at 6pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff heat 3, compered by Tom Price from 'Torchwood'. Tickets £6.50
Sun 26 Feb at 8.15pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff heat 4, compered by Tom Price from 'Torchwood'. Tickets £6.50
Mon 27 Feb at 7pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff heat 5, compered by Rob Beckett, AmusedMooseLaughOff 2010 winner. Tickets £6.50
Sun 4 March at 6pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff heat 6, compered by Joel Dommett, star of 'Popatron'. Tickets £6.50
Mon 5 March at 7pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff heat 7, compered by Rob Beckett, AmusedMooseLaughOff 2010 winner. Tickets £6.50
Mon 12 March at 7pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff Quarterfinal 1, compered by Mark Dolan, host of C4's Balls Of Steel. Tickets £6.50
Sun 18 March at 6pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff Quarterfinal 2, compered by Mark Dolan, host of C4's Balls Of Steel. Tickets £6.50
Mon 19 March at 7pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff Quarterfinal 3, compered by Mark Dolan, host of C4's Balls Of Steel. Tickets £6.50
Sun 25 March at 6pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff Quarterfinal 4, compered by Mark Dolan, host of C4's Balls Of Steel. Tickets £6.50
Sun 25 March at 8.15pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff Quarterfinal 5, compered by Mark Dolan, host of C4's Balls Of Steel. Tickets £6.50
Mon 26 March at 7pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff Quarterfinal 6, compered by Mark Dolan, host of C4's Balls Of Steel. Tickets £6.50
Mon 2 April at 7pm: AmusedMooseLaughOff Quarterfinal 7, compered by Mark Dolan, host of C4's Balls Of Steel. Tickets £6.50
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Redundancy the Musical
By Naomi Lowde
21st - 25th February Tues - Sat 7pm, Sat Mat 3pm £11.50
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Redundancy the Musical
Organisations are disbanding, unemployment is on the rise across the nation and people are forced to find alternative solutions to income.
 Redundancy the Musical is a brand new indie-pop opera written by Naomi Lowde, based in present day London. This is Lowde’s first musical and is Directed by Emma Baxter.
Redundancy the Musical focuses on a group of colleagues wrestling with the threat of redundancy. The story reflects the uncertainty and voice of the ordinary person, where certain truths must be faced no matter what the consequence. The show incorporates a cutting-edge and dissident musical soundscape, weaving through the emotive tale of love, loss and life transformation.
More information: www.redundancythemusical.com
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RedundancyTM
Like on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RedundancyTM
Produced by LowBax Productions: www.facebook.com/LowBax
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office
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Susan Calman: Work in Progress towards ultimately taking over the galaxy
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23rd Feb 9.30pm £6.50
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A very very very rough work in progress show from  Susan Calman (R4’s News Quiz and HIGNFY).
Please don’t come if a) you’ve ever asked “are women funny?” b) you’ll be drunk or c) you hate me.
Some of it will be amusing.
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
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Till We Leave are Trying
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2nd March 9.30pm £6.50
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As products of the world-renowned building of brilliance (Rotherham's Able Drama Alliance), Kyle Eaton and Daryll Garavan would like to invite you to their 2011 showcase.  Unfortunately, since graduating, their agent has forced them into doing nothing but this comedy show that recaptures their rise to fame. However the boys will be trying to get their way by showcasing a brand new two man gala performance of Shakespeare in 162 Hours!
'A double act that seems to be two parts of the same organism' Paul Gambaccini, BBC Radio 2
'Laugh out loud comedy... It felt like a night at home with some highly humorous friends' Islington Gazette
'These two are a quirky, promising act who have proven themselves as ones to watch' London Festival Fringe
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Eat a Queer Fetus for Jesus
By Richard Coughlan
9th March 9.30pm £6
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Eat a Queer Fetus for Jesus
Richard Coughlan previews new material for his 2012 one man  show. Featuring his usual mix of high speed energetic rants and vulgarity you are likely to be left laughing and with a feeling that the human race should be exterminated.
"The King of Filth 5 stars" Three Weeks
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office |
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Lou Sanders in And Now For A Nice Evening With Wallan
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10th March 9.30pm £6.50
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Lou Sanders with her show:
'And Now for a Nice Evening With Wallan'
• Lou was in the best new comics to watch out for 2012 The Sun Newspaper
• 'From the crazy off-beat surrealism of Lou Sanders, it seems like
something new is happening in comedy.' The Independent 2011
• 'Very Funny' 'Destined for hughness' TimeOut
• “Like a British Kristen Schaal, she has a winning combination of
eccentricity and confidence... I leave in no doubt that Lou Sanders is
awesome indeed...one of the most exciting new comics to emerge from the
2011 Fringe” Spoonfed. ****
• “A technicolour joy... she
throws herself into her ideas with reckless abandon and her
irrepressible personality takes you along with it” London is Funny. ****
• British Comedy Guide ****
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
Cash tickets only available 30mins before showtime at the theatre box office
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Manos the Greek
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11th March 7.30pm £6.50
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Manos the Greek: The Tale of An Immigrant. Manos presents his life, warts and all.
 "An intimate and friendly show. I am looking forward to the next instalment of his philosophies of life and witty anecdotes"
****Latest 7.
‘Greek father Socrates would be proud’ Three Weeks.
‘Smart, subtle humour and delicate jokes, textured with witty punchlines’ The Skinny
To book online click here - tickets must be collected 15mins before showtime.
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