Comedy
Our full comedy & cabaret line up has launched! Explore the famous faces and exciting up-and-comers we'll be welcoming to HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2024 ...
First speakers and debates released!
Our full comedy & cabaret line up has launched! Explore the famous faces and exciting up-and-comers we'll be welcoming to HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2024 ...
Just like Tom Cruise does all his own stunts, I'm going to do all my own jokes. Join me and lets just try and have a bit of a laugh (not illegal last time I checked)! As seen on Taskmaster and Live at the Apollo.
“Another impressive show from Sanders: courageous, funny and unique” ★★★★ - Chortle
“Sanders keeps the laughs coming with such gleeful self-assurance and consistent lack of sentimentality” ★★★★ - The Times
Shaparak Khorsandi is a regular on popular TV shows including Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week. Her unique blend of cultural insight and uproarious humor has earned her critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase.
"Khorsandi's comedy is as intelligent as it is hilarious, effortlessly navigating topics from politics to personal anecdotes with finesse." - Guardian
Sara Barron - As seen on Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You, and Frankie Boyle's New World Order - talks through a passion for eavesdropping, a hatred of the countryside, and one awful thing that she did to her mom.
“A wickedly funny show” ★★★★ Scotsman
Chortle Best Newcomer Nominee Patrick Spicer brings a perfectly constructed work-in-progress stand-up comedy hour to HowTheLightGetsIn. Asking the BIG q's e.g. was Jesus a people pleaser? What is a flat? Does the third question in a list have to be the best one or can you sort of just trail off? As seen on BBC2, Channel 4, and BBC iPlayer. 60k+ followers online with over 15 million views.
“An engaging and natural storyteller… Not a flicker of hesitation” ★★★★- The Skinny
It's that time of year! Ania has some (funny?) things to say and she would like you to listen please.
Ania's previous show was nominated for Best Comedy Show at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023. She has opened for Ed Gamble, Marc Maron and Catherine Cohen, and she also writes with comedian, journalist and viral sensation Amelia Dimoldenberg on Chicken Shop Date and Amelia’s Cooking Show. Her choices on Off Menu were widely regarded as one of the worst menus of all time.
“A gift for observational comedy and weaving beautifully crafted routines out of the everyday” ★★★★★- The Telegraph
Amy Gledhill – Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, National Comedy Award nominee and 1/3 of cult double act The Delightful Sausage – returns with a brand new show about self-confidence, romance and bin bags. As seen on Would I Lie To You? and Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
‘Remember Gledhill’s name, because it’s about to be everywhere’ ★★★★★ Independent
Having have sold out performances at Soho Theatre and the Vault festival the Professional Unicorn and queer Iraqui non-binary Brit Amrou Al-Kadhi has arrived. In this blisteringly funny and political performance Glamorou explores religion, sexuality and identity, with love songs and mainaret-sized wig. Amrou Al-Kadhdi was selected as a Screen International star of Tommorow is the author of LIFE AS A UNICORN, and has a a TED talk called 'What quantum physics taught me about my queer Islamic identity'. There's no dought they're our most intelligent cabaret show to date
The last living Libertine, John Tothill is equal parts bon vivant, social commentator and gossip spreader all rolled into comedy. Winner of the 2Northdown new act award, John is described as one of the most “personable and truly funny talents” on the comedy scene by The List Magazine, and as “the first comedian ever to reference Hobbesian economics on stage” by Chortle. John Tothill’s new material consists of a frivolous examination of urban pleasure, the sex appeal of the Catholic Church, and his experience deliberately getting malaria. Come for the comedy; stay for the leopard print.
Come watch Katie (As seen on Comedy Central and tour support for Jonathan Van Ness) figure her life out on stage while she works out material for her next show about coming of age moments / adulting. Topics will include: being awkward, dating, her Quinceañera, adapting to life in the UK, and probably being stressed out about a guy not texting her back.
“Her razor-sharp wit and subversive humour led us to unexpected places” - Funny Women
Priya Hall is a Welsh-Indian stand-up comedian and comedy writer who is quickly ascending the comedy scene in England and Wale. Exploring family, culture, sexuality, and the way they messily intertwine Priya's comedy is wittily sharp whilst whimsically funny. Featuring on numerous live TVcomedy shows including on the BBC and Comedy Central, as well as appearing at festivals across the UK, Priya is quickly marking herself as one of the one's to watch on the UK's comedy scene.
Leila Navabi is a breakthrough comedian, writer and actress from South Wales. Leila grew up learning to utilise and monopolise her 'minority identity' for evil and mischief. Her show doesn’t rely on these identities, instead relying on her overwhelmingly prodigious talent. Star of BBC's Vandullz and the BBC New Comedy Awards 2022, Leila has written for Bad Education (BBC) and Never Mind The Buzzcocks (Sky), and can be heard in Channel 4’s Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared.
'The actual future of comedy.' - LMAOnaise
A fierce, femme, fabulous, musical comedy show from the multi award-winning, international cabaret sensation Amber Topaz. This cunning linguist hilariously morphs her way through a medley of musical milestones, highlighting the absurdity of human behaviour under the influence of hormones. Celebrating and advocating the lusty libido. Prepare for a standing ovulation. Not for the prudish or easily offended.
'Uncensored spectacle of a show. Packed with original songs and kooky characters. Unabashed and unafraid. She takes her room on a wild ride they won’t forget in a hurry'
The List
In 'Hold On' comedian Micky Overman finds her life going the direction she’s always wanted. The path has been set, she just has to follow it. So why is she finding that so hard? Join her for a work-in-progress show about change, coping mechanisms and Ozzy Osbourne. She has written for and acted in sketches for ITV2, Channel 4, and BBC3, and her social media content has received over 40 millions views online.
"A pin-sharp torrent of precision gags and delightfully silly one-liners" - The Observer
The horrifying hour from the award-winning poof prince of puppets. Lachy is a poof, and apparently a virgin. Brew is a small, squishy witch, and she has decided to sacrifice him. To help with his self-esteem. Together, they’ll bring your worst nightmares to life in a ceremony of paranormal tricks and treats. But when the ritual releases a sinister entity with a lust for destruction, the virginal Lachy may never be the same…
Directed by Laurie Luxe.
"Hilarious. Extraordinary. A healthy dose of the unhinged" ★★★★ (Guardian)
With multiple critically acclaimed runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a self-released hour comedy special available online, you might be thinking what’s next for the comedian Burt Williamson? The answer is simple, more comedy. Join this Bristol favourite as he works out new jokes that will go on to form his next comedy hour Riding Bareback Through Your Mind
“Unexpectedly hilarious at every turn and a great joy” - ★★★★ The Scotsman
The ‘almost sexily cerebral’ (★★★★ Daily Telegraph) stand-up presents a show about fear, after 2022’s ‘breakneck pace… wonderful new hour’ (★★★★ - The List). As heard on BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show, and writer for Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You.
“Excellent… dynamite, interstellar routine which I wish I had written!” - Mark Kermode
Come watch Katie (As seen on Comedy Central and tour support for Jonathan Van Ness) figure her life out on stage while she works out material for her next show about coming of age moments / adulting. Topics will include: being awkward, dating, her Quinceañera, adapting to life in the UK, and probably being stressed out about a guy not texting her back.
“Her razor-sharp wit and subversive humour led us to unexpected places” - Funny Women
Europe’s answer to TED
Total Politics
Press