A double header of comedy as two top comedians warm up ahead of the Edinburgh Festival.
Matt Forde
Matt Forde is one of the country’s most in demand satirists.
Described as 'our foremost satirical stand-up' by The Sunday Times, Matt Forde has toured critically acclaimed shows nationwide including most recently Clowns To The Left of Me, Jokers To The Right in 2022 and Inside No. 10 in 2023.
Matt Forde’s hit live podcast The Political Party transferred to the West End’s Duchess Theatre in 2021 after over 70 sold out shows at Westminster’s The Other Palace, for a twice extended fortnightly residency continuing in to 2024. Matt has brought Parliament to life with his stand-up and debate with some of politics’ most powerful figures including Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Eddie Izzard, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Michael Heseltine, Anthony Scaramucci, Alastair Campbell, Gordon Brown and Gary Neville. Matt has received numerous nominations from award bodies including the British Podcast Awards and Chortle Awards and the show is regularly highlighted as a top podcast pick in the press.
Matt wrote and voiced characters for Spitting Image (BritBox/ITV) including Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Matt currently presents Absolute Radio’s weekly Rock ‘n’ Roll Football Show. He is also the co-host of Wondery’s flagship British Podcast Award winning British Scandal alongside Alice Levine.
In 2019 alone, Matt hosted the Alternative News Desk for Channel 4’s election night coverage, chaired the One Nation Conservative leadership hustings and debated Britain’s withdrawal from the EU with Tony Blair for the Institute of Global Change.
Matt hosted four series of Unspun with Matt Forde on Dave, receiving several nominations at the Broadcast Digital Awards, and has numerous other broadcast credits including: Have I Got News For You (BBC One), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Mock The Week (BBC Two), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave) Rory Bremner’s Coalition Report and Rory Bremner’s Election Report (BBC Two), Question Time (BBC One), This Week (BBC One), Newsnight (BBC Two) and Daily Politics (BBC Two).
Matt’s first book Politically Homeless was listed by The Sunday Times as one the Best Political Books of 2020.
Chloe Petts
'One of the most compelling young comics' Brian Logan, The Guardian
'Clearly a rising star whose name will soon be in lights' Bruce Dessau, The Evening Standard
Chloe has established herself as one of the most exciting up and coming acts on the circuit.
Chloe is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer with her new show How You See Me, How You Don’t. This comes after a UK Tour of her show If You Can’t Say Anything Nice which sold-out in the first week of the Edinburgh Fringe last year, leading to 6 extra shows being added to the run. In 2022, she performed her debut show Transience to sold-out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and for two five night runs at Soho Theatre, which led to a tour around the rest of the UK which ended with an extra date added at London’s Leicester Square Theatre. Receiving rave reviews from publications including The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Evening Standard.
On television and radio, Chloe recently appeared on Have I Got News For You (BBC One), and hosted her own segment every Saturday morning on Sky Sports News. She has also been a regular on The Frank Skinner Show (Absolute Radio), World Cup Breakfast (Sky Sports) for the Men’s Football World Cup 2022 and previously for Good Morning Euros (Sky Sports) for the UEFA Women’s Euros. Further appearances include MOTDx (BBC), Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club (ITV), The Stand-Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two), Random Acts (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave), Fighting Talk (BBC Radio 5 Live), BBC Three Quickies (BBC Three), as well as winning Pointless Celebrities (BBC One). In terms of podcasts, Chloe has appeared on Off Menu, Films to Buried With and co-hosted The Guilty Feminist.
An alumna of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve, shortlisted for the BBC Comedy Award, finalist of Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Awards 2017 and runner-up in the Funny Women Awards 2017. As well as supporting Ed Gamble on current Hot Diggity Dog UK tour and previous tour Electric, Chloe has supported Frank Skinner during his West End run and performed at Melbourne International Comedy Festival this year and last year.
She is a co-founder of The Lol Word, a queer comedy collective that hosts sell-out monthly London nights, boasting the finest female and non-binary queer acts on the circuit. Their most recent Edinburgh run was a sell-out. Diva Magazine has described it as a space that is demographically queer, inclusive, and safe, and on top of all of that – the comedic talent is smart, insightful, hilarious, and completely relatable.
Studio
£12
Matt Forde
Matt's website
Chloe Petts
Chloe's website
X ChloePetts
Insta chloepetts
Bighead Comedy presents the reigning Funny Women Award winner and Chortle Best Newcomer nominee’s debut hour where she tries to save the world.
Where does this messiah complex come from? Is it the second coming or has she just inherited her mother's psychological disorder? If you're anxious about the state of the world (or just your own mental state), join this BBC New Comedy Awards semi-finalist as she becomes the first woman to wonder what many men have wondered before her: am I actually God?
Winner of 2023 Funny Women Stage Award.
Nominee for NextUp's Biggest Award In Comedy Best Newcomer and 2024 Chortle Awards Best Newcomer.
'Charismatic, eloquent, frank and witty...an impressive debut for a bright comic' Chortle
'Witty and charming...the audience are quickly drawn into Kate's world' The List
'She's unstoppable. Her enthusiastic delivery cracks along at such a pace that you
wonder whether she's remembering to breathe' The Skinny
'Impressive, frank and relatable' Chortle.co.uk
Studio
£16.50
Insta katechecka
Fb Kate Cheka
A double header of comedy as two top comedians warm up ahead of the Edinburgh Festival.
Pierre Novellie
Stand-up comedian, writer, radio host and podcaster. Pierre is co-host of The Frank Skinner Show on Absolute Radio, and recent TV appearances include World’s Most Dangerous Roads (Dave), The Mash Report (BBC2), and Stand Up Central (Comedy Central). On the radio, Pierre has performed on The Now Show (Radio 4), hosts the BBC Sounds podcast series Obsessed With… SAS: Rogue Heroes and co-hosts the hit Budpod podcast alongside Phil Wang. As a writer, Pierre was one of the regular writers on the rebooted Spitting Image (ITV/Britbox) and has also written on shows including Mock the Week (BBC2), The News Quiz (Radio 4) and The Mash Report (BBC2).
Toussaint Douglas
One of comedy’s most exciting and talked about new names and is already making serious waves across the industry. His innovative brand of stand up mixes the personal with the political, whilst adding a uniquely absurdist slant to brilliant comic effect.
His extensive list of credits include Late Night Mash (DAVE), Outsiders (DAVE), Hypothetical (DAVE), Comedians Giving Lectures (FAVE), Unforgivable (DAVE), Alan Davies, As Yet Untitled (DAVE), Funny Festival Live (BBC One), Question Team (DAVE) BBC Presents: Stand Up For Live Comedy (BBC Three), The News Quiz (BBC Radio 4) and Dead Ringers (BBC Radio 4).
'There’s something of a Richard Ayoade vibe to Toussaint Douglass, stiffly awkward and on a different plane from rest of the world. He creates vivid, slightly absurd, images of his life…but it’s skillfully concealed beneath a charming quirkiness. One of the best and most distinctive acts' Chortle
Studio
£13.50
Pierre Novellie
Pierre's website
Insta pierrenovellie
Fb PierreNovellie
Toussaint Douglas
Insta toussaint_gram
Join one of the UK’s finest comedians as he brings you up to speed on how he’s settling into being a married middle-aged father.
With recurring stomach ulcers, a bald patch, and an internet search history that now includes anti-leakage boxer shorts.
With his signature blend of honesty and wit, Carl turns life’s darkest moments into comedy gold. Raise a glass and join him for laughs, resilience, and hard-earned perspective.
Previously nominated for both the Best Newcomer and Best Show in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, he’s appeared on such shows as Mock The Week and Russell Howard’s Good News as well as recently supporting Kevin Bridges on his international tour. He’s also a regular on radio (BBC 5Live’s Fighting Talk and Talksport) as well as being one half of the podcast TVI (Two Vegan Idiots).
'Observational genius' Guardian
'His comic warmth could fill the Sydney Opera House' Chortle
'Masterful stand-up with the lightest of touches' British Comedy Guide
'Up there with the best' ★★★★ Herald Sun
'A bringer of delight' ★★★★ Scotsman
★★★★★ Skinny
★★★★★ Broadway Baby
Age guidance: 15+ years.
Content warning - mild language
Studio
£17.50
Fb Carl Donnelly
Insta carldonnelly
Led by Mairi Cowieson
Showstopper Tots Musical Theatre themed music and movement classes for ages 2 - 5yrs. Younger siblings are welcome. Under 6 months free.
Join us for our exciting Lion King themed term. I Just Can't Wait to be King! so, come and join other little lion cubs, as we get ready for our Morning Report and sing Hakuna Matata.
The classes take the children on an adventure, exploring the music and story of The Lion King. Learning a dance to help with their coordination, singing songs and playing drama games to help with their confidence. Each class ends with our mini theatre and story song, written especially for ShowstopperUk, by fabulous West End composers.
This story song is added to each week to enhance their engagement and concentration skills. It's also fun for the parents / carers who attend with their little ones.
Building confidence, musicality, coordination, concentration, all through the wonderful world of Musical Theatre.
Led by a professional West End performer and director.
Summer
Course 1: Lion King
Thur 24 Apr - 22 May (5 weeks)
2pm - 2.45pm
Whole course - £40 (5 weeks) (1 adult and 1 child)
Trial on 24 Apr - £9 (1 adult and 1 child) Siblings £5.40
£32 (1 adult and 1 child) if you would like to continue for the rest of the remaining 4 weeks please put remaining dates in the basket when re-booking and a discount will apply.
Drop-in sessions for the rest of the term £9 (1 adult and 1 child) I siblings £5.40.
Course 2:
Thur 5 Jun - 17 Jul (7 weeks)
2pm - 2.45pm
Whole course - £56 (7 weeks) (1 adult and 1 child)
Trial on 5 June - £9 (1 adult and 1 child) Siblings £5.40
£48 (1 adult and 1 child) if you would like to continue for the remaining 6 weeks please put remaining dates in the basket when re-booking and a discount will apply.
Drop-in sessions for the rest of the term £9 (1 adult and 1 child) I siblings £5.40.
Age guidance: 2 - 5 years
Join local musical theatre talent Cormac Diamond, as he brings his debut cabaret show back to where it all began!
You can expect a nostalgic array including golden-age showtunes by Rogers and Hammerstein, and pop-rock anthems by Elton John and David Bowie, weaved together into an uplifting story about memories, 'the good old days', and good old friends. This homecoming cabaret will be nothing if not a night… to remember…
Studio
£15
Insta cormacdiamond
Presented by Maidenhead Music Society.
Britten Three Divertimenti
Haydn Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 50 No. 1
Suk Meditation on an old Bohemian Chorale (St Wenceslas), Op. 35a
Dvořák Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 51
The miraculous Heath Quartet (Guardian) returns for a great concert. Capricious, youthful Britten, witty, joyful Haydn, stirring Suk and romantic Dvorak full of captivating Slavonic tunes.
Courtyard Theatre
£20 I £15 (MMS members) I Under 18s free
An energetic and creative music and movement class for babies and children under 5.
This fun and funky session uses lights, puppets, parachute, instruments and music to get your little ones moving!
Suitable for ages 9 months - 5 years.
Summer
Fri 9 May - 25 Jul (excluding 28 May)
11am - 11.45am
£8.50 | Siblings (9 months +) £4 | £45 for 6 sessions a term (this offer doesn't include the sibling ticket)
If you would like to book the offer price for 6 sessions, please enter a ticket for each date you would like to attend into your basket and the offer will apply automatically.
Led by Julie Potter
This class is suited to those who have been practising for at least 6. My intention for this class is to move our practise forward, explore different avenues and approaches to the traditional postures. We will be aiming to be going deeper into awareness and noticing.
The yoga I teach is an evolution of over 20 years of practice and study, perhaps moving away from external evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential approach. Whilst looking at traditional Hatha Yoga postures and pranayamas, I will be encouraging fun and freedom within the traditional structure, whilst taking into our awareness fundamental anatomical and functional aspects required by our bodies for maximum wellbeing benefits.
Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing.
Spring
Fri 10 Jan - 7 Feb (5 weeks)
Fri 14 Feb - 14 Mar (5 weeks)
Fri 21 Mar - 25 Apr (5 weeks)
Summer
Fri 2 May - 6 Jun (6 weeks)
Fri 13 Jun - 25 Jul (6 weeks) (excl 4 Jul)
Please note that the sessions on Fri 6 and 13 Jun will be covered by a different teacher.
11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.
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