March 3rd

Hello!!!!

Hope this finds you all well.. Fancy some FREE comedy in March? Get down to ManillaRoad at The Victoria and see

BETHANY BLACK

Yes! The one that was in Doctor Who!!!
She regularly does all the big clubs in the UK (Glee, Jongleurs etc) and now she's coming to our little club to see you lot.. Brilliant...

Decidedly dark and deliciously different – a one way ticket to a world you never knew existed. Despite being 'unique', she's warm and chatty and has built a cult following for her brand of confessional comedy.

She'll be supported on the night by Lucy Thompson, Harry Stachini, Dave Pollard & Trevor Never..

Doors 8pm.
Free entry..
See you down there...

December 3rd

Well.. Last month, Sarah Franken was incredible.. And for December, we're finishing off the year with a bang.. Next months headliner, coming back to ManillaRoad is

TOM STADE

Since coming to the UK, the Canadian has built up a reputation as a popular and highly recommended comedian. He is willing to tackle a huge range of topics, from the obscure to the familiar, from a simple gag to quirky, inventive, rambling anecdotes with unexpected punchlines. Even if he occasionally seems to lose sight of where he's going, at least you know he's taking the audience with him.

'Wonderfully imaginative, original and hilarious' (Rhod Gilbert)

'So cool he could well be the answer to global warming. Gloriously funny silly and smart' (The Scotsman)

'Unmissable' (Edinburgh Evening News)

'Rock 'n' roll comedian. Absolutely boxfresh; nothing is staid about Stade' (Evening Standard)

'One of the best practitioners of stand-up we've got... stand-up elite' (Chortle)

'An insider's tip for comedy greatness... comic riffs of monumental proportions'
(Metro)

Also on the bill are Andrew McBurney & Jack Kirwan, Chris (YEAHHH) Norton-Walker, Josh Pugh..

Doors 8pm.. To guarantee a seat, recommended to get there early..

Peace x

October 1st

Well. September was a smasher and October is gonna be another belter..

We're kicking off Birmingham Comedy Festival in style with a legend of the circuit headlining

ROGER MONKHOUSE


There's not much we can say about Roger that hasn't already, he's badass..

"his laconic delivery shields an engaging persona and an enquiring mind" - The Guardian

Roger Monkhouse is one of the most original and distinctive acts on the comedy scene. A consummate stand-up who employs a deadly combination of charm and menace to exert a masterful control over any audience. A highly original and quirky performer, Roger's trademark stage-prowling style and curious, inimitable manner have established him as one of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.

Distinguished as a comic by his eloquence and keen eye for a fine phrase, Roger's easy observational style is spiked by the signal flares of an accomplished gag writer. As one of the most sought after acts on the comedy circuit, Roger headlines at all the major comedy venues and has performed extensively throughout the United Kingdom and Internationally, most recently performing in Belgium, The Netherlands, South Africa, China, Singapore, Tokyo and the Middle East. 

"unfailingly entertaining and skilfully able to pull punchlines, seemingly, out of thin air" -

Chortle

"packs in more observations on the human condition in a twenty minute set than a whole lecture on Jean-Paul Sartre" - Venue Magazine

 "an enthusiasm akin to that of an excitable professor who's just found the gene that would enable a python to grow a beard" - Manchester Evening News

 "Witnessing a Roger (no relation to the late, great but distinctly orange Bob) Monkhouse gig is a little like watching a dotty old university professor at work. Although much funnier, of course" - Manchester Evening News

"Highly regarded by his peers on the circuit - he's shaven-headed, topical, good, and nothing to do with Bob" - Evening Standard

“Some of the material’s saucy – and uncompromisingly so – other parts are passionate and polemic. He’s sometimes topical, sometimes punny. Sometimes clever, sometimes daft. There is, in short, something in this varied comedy menu for every taste…a gifted natural… one of the consummate professionals of the stand-up circuit” - Chortle

Of course, entry is FREE and there'll be support from 4 top emerging acts.. 

Doors open 8pm, its recommended to get there early to guarantee a seat..

September 3rd

Wotcha..

Well, if you thought August was good, September is looking another gem with brilliant headliner

MARLON DAVIS

Seen him rip it at the Glee club earlier this year, now he's gonna do the same at ManillaRoad..

With a Brown Eyed Boy series on MTV under his belt, Marlon Davis is a bright young comedian, improviser and actor who embraces his work with energy and charm, embodying his characters and delivering his material with skilful observations.

Crowned winner of the broadcast FHM Search For A Stand-up Competition, and finalist in 3 other national comedy awards, Marlon works all over the UK doing sets, compering and headlining, including being a huge hit at the 1800 capacity Leicester Comedy Festival's Preview Show, London's Comedy Store, Comedy Cafe, Lee Hurst's' fymfyg, BBC Presents Comedy.

Marlon's act is inspired from his upbringing, exploring urban Britain tackling its social issues with skilful characterisations.

"Bursts on to the stage like a breath of fresh air, with impish grin, boyish enthusiasm and an effortlessly open, confident style" Chortle

"Davis is charming, with a winning smile, his passion in acting out all the little scenarios that comprise his set is enviable" Chortle

"He's going to be a star, has all charm and passion of Chris Rock" Adam Bloom

"Marlon was amazing!! Got one of the best receptions all day - and the Comedy tent was busier than ever! That boy's going to go far!" Mick Bateman, RISE Festival 

He'll be supported on the night by some yop emerging acts.
Doors 8pm. Recommended to get there early to guarantee a seat

FREE entry

August 6th

Hello..
In August we've got another top lineup headlined by the excellent

PETER WHITE

Seen Peter rock the Glee club earlier this year and you can now catch him here, for FREE

He's been nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award and a Writer's Guild of Canada Award, and appeared in a TV mini-series with Pierce Brosnan.

'He's performed all across Canada, including the prestigious Just For Laugh's international comedy festival in Montreal and has written for various television shows.

'One of the Top 5 up and coming comics in Canada' (CBC Radio One)

'People adore Peter White!' (The Coast, Halifax)

'Belly laughs... absolutely brilliant' (Chortle).

Also on the bill are Wizzy Janew, Chris Norton-Walker, Paul Savage & Ben Slaughter

Doors 8pm, FREE entry..

Recommended to get in early to guarantee a seat..

July 2nd

Hellooooo...

YES! We're back at The Vic on July with one of our favourite comedians doing a FULL Edinburgh preview

JOHN HASTINGS

John has been performing standup since 2006.He has won the Montreal Comedy Festival Home-grown Comedy Competition, has been called “one to watch” by the Comedy Network and was the only Canadian Finalist of the 2011 San Francisco Comedy Competition. In 2012 John moved to London England which gave him the opportunity to be featured on BBC radio 4, BBC.com as a comedy correspondent and be selected to appear in the Comedy Reserve Showcase at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in 2013. He was also nominated twice for a Canadian Comedy Award.

Since then he has been going from strength to strength entertaining audiences across the country engaging them with his sharp punchlines delivered through his observational storytelling style.

Awards -

- Winner of the 2012 COCA Comedian of the Year
- Performer in the 2011 “Pilot Week” comedy writing/performance competition for Insight Prod
- Youngest and only Canadian Finalist of the 2011 San Francisco Comedy Competition
- Winner of the 2010 Homegrown Comedy Competition
- Nominated as one of the XM Top 8 New Comedians in Canada
- Performance Nominated for Best Ensemble Theatre Piece Category at the 2007/2008 Montreal English Critics Circle Awards (MECCAs)
- Nominated as Best Newcomer for the 2010 Canadian Comedy Awards
- Nominated as Best Taped Performance 2013 Canadian Comedy Awards

Also on are Andrew McBurney & the unmissable Bob Blackman Appreciation Society..

Doors 8pm.. Do come early for a seat..
FREE entry..

Peace x

May 7th

Hellooooo....

Its our birthday, we're 3yrs old and to celebrate we've got a proper comedy legend headlining in..

IAN COGNITO

Banned from more comedy clubs than any other standup in the UK and funny as f**k.. Have a gander....

Ian Cognito is one of the best comics on the national circuit, a veteran who clearly knows what he’s doing as he spits his darkly humorous vitriol over an unsuspecting crowd. Outspoken, opinionated, and totally clued up, this man’s take on the world will have you convinced and convulsed (with laughter).

"Cognito’s indignant polemic is a bracing antidote to more amiable routines. When a comedian can transform rage into humour without diluting their passion, the result is always riveting. Share his inspired madness." - William Cook, The Guardian

"Cognito puts them all in the shade. If you want to know what’s wrong with New Britain, Ian Cognito’s going to tell you. And if you don’t, you’d better keep your mouth shut. Just stunning." - Phil Daoust, The Guardian

"Ian Cognito is up there with the greats. He rants - but not without thought." - Evening Standard

"There is no doubting Ian Cognito’s blazing talent as a stand-up." - Time Out

Of course, its FREE entry & there'll be some ace emerging acts supporting..
See you's there.. Doors 8pm..

April 2nd

April is gonna be SMASHING!! Get on the Manillatrain with brilliant headliner

ANDREW O'NEILL

Have a read of this bio, by himself..

I am a stand-up comedian, a metalhead, an amateur occultist and a musician. I've pretty much been a show off since birth. I did comedy sketches in assemblies at school, and pissed away my A Levels making comedy films with my mates on my brothers camcorder. You will never get to see these, because my mates would fucking kill me if I put them on the net.

I've done a bit of telly, (including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Saxondale with Steve Coogan) and lots of radio (including BBC Radio 1, Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra, and 5live) but live is where the hidden mind-control signals planted in my work are most effective.

I'm a bit of a regular on the comedy stages at Download, Sonisphere, Bloodstock, Leeds and Reading festivals. I've opened for Amanda Palmer off of the Dresden Dolls, done audience warm-up for Never Mind the Buzzcocks, hosted the Metal Hammer Golden Gods, played at Torture Garden and the Bizarre Magazine Ball and load of other events where people mainly wear shiny things.

I'm vegan, as you can tell by the fact that I have a lithe, sinewy body. I'm a heterosexual transvestite, as you can tell by the fact that I wear female clothes and fancy girls. I'm not a goth. This is an understandable error, but there is a difference between a metaller who cross-dresses and a goth. And if need be I will fight you to demonstrate that difference. I've got nothing against goths. Some of my best friends are goths. Their food is lovely and they have natural rhythm.

I am in a steampunk band called The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing and I do walking tours of Jack The Ripper's murder sites.

"An increasingly distinctive, imaginative act... brilliant, genuinely unexpected lines are added to the mix. At this rate, it won't be long until he's huge." - Chortle

"He's got a natural optimism and love of silliness that leaves you feeling remarkably positive... a winning blend of polemic and off-beat whimsy." - The Guardian

"One of the funniest comedians on the circuit at the moment... hitting new heights of comedic brilliance."
- TimeOut


Sold! He's fucking ace..
As usual, doors 8pm.. And entry is FREE

March 5th

Helloooo..

More free comedy at The Victoria on March 5th and we've got another smashing headliner in

NICK DOODY

Nick's played here before and we loved him, as did you so he's coming back..
Have a gander at this........

Nick Doody has been performing comedy since the 90s when, as a student, he got off to a pretty good start by supporting the legendary Bill Hicks, at Bill's request. A little later, Nick was a finalist in Channel 4's So You Think You're Funny? competition.

Since then he has performed all over the world: Ireland, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Estonia... You get the idea. He was the first British comedian to perform in Croatia.

Nick has appeared on various radio and TV shows, and is also much in demand as a writer. He has penned jokes for Joan Rivers, Lenny Henry, Dame Edna Everage and an uncomfortable number of Mock The Week regulars. He was also the creator and head writer of Bigipedia, a critically acclaimed Radio 4 show that broadcast in 2009 and 2011.

“A fully considered, from the heart, yet darkly hilarious hour examining blind belief…He explains himself in such a way, and with such spell-binding warmth that it’s difficult to feel offended.” - THE LIST MAGAZINE

“All hail Nick Doody…true comedy gold: polished, rich in material and a find among all the fools.” - METRO

Of course, Nick will have some top emerging acts on the bill with him..

As per, it's FREE entry, doors 8pm..

Latest advert ever

Helloooo..
We're back in February with more free comedy from

HARRIET DYER

We love Harriet, you will too.. Have a read why....

“Instinctively funny…seems certain to become a comic force to be reckoned with” – Chortle

Fresh and unique, it’s a pleasure to spend time in Harriet’s company as she weaves her surreal and hilarious tales. An imitable raconteur, it’s easy to see how this new act is making a big noise.

Harriet already has heads turning with her baffling tales of a misspent youth, and bewildering personal tales that are so ridiculous, they must be true. Establishing her own style of material and delivery after such a short time, means Harriet’s stock can only continue to rise.

A unique comic voice, Dyer charms any room with matchless material, an offbeat stage presence and a truly whirlwind fizz of energy.

“She’s got funny bones” – Kevin Bridges

“Dyer made the audience feel at home and managed to wow the crowd… Loveable and delightful” – Three Weeks

“A bundle of whimsical hilarity… a breath of fresh air.. will have you in stitches” – Broadway Baby

Of course, there will be some cracking emerging acts on the bill too..
Doors 8pm.. See you's there

Festive cheer

Hello everyone..

We're back at The Victoria for our final gig of the year on December 4th and we've got headlining the delightful...

ALFIE MOORE

Star of BBC Radio 4 comedy Its a Fair Cop..

"Genuinely funny, sharp observational comedy." - Chortle

"...a talented comedian… very funny." - Broadway

"He’s a very funny man!" - Rhod Gilbert 

"His humble and polite approach breaks all policeman stereotypes, making him easy to relate to, and leaving the crowd wanting more." - Three Weeks

Support comes from Ben Briggs, Jay Handley & the annual visit of Brendan Higgins..

Doors 8pm, but do come early to guarantee a seat..

MR 

November

Ello dudes..

How are you's?
If you fancy a party on November 6th, come down ManillaRoad for our brilliant headliner

BARBARA NICE

If you were here when she last played, you'll know how wonderful she is, if you weren't, you're in for a treat.. Have a read -

Mrs Barbara Nice, the suburban creation of Janice Connolly, is a warm and wonderful act ­ an enthusiastic, livewire force of nature it's hard not to love.

On a basic level, she's an affectionate, well-observed and underplayed caricature of a slightly frumpy post-menopausal Stockport housewife who inhabits a lower-middle-class world of Poundstretchers and Take A Break magazine. But it is an affectionate, joyous celebration of such mundanities. Mrs Nice is ordinary, and proud of it.

This persona helps her organise the audience with the authoritative but kindly air of a playgroup leader. Even if occasionally her audience participation verges on the patronising, no one creates an uplifting mood quite like our Barbara; with the real fun stemming from her audacious set pieces in which she cajoles the audience to take part in the latest hare-brained stunt.

Here the incongruity between her ridiculous actions and her 'ordinary' image are funny and endearing - simply because you would expect her character to be more at home at a mothers' coffee morning than, say, stagediving to Iggy Pop.

The fact that she's genuinely enjoying these guilty pleasures only adds to the audience fun. No wonder she's fast becoming a cult favourite.

She's got support from four excellent emerging acts..
Doors open 8pm.. Come early to guarantee a seat though..

MR x

October y'all

Dudes..

Hope you's are all smashing..
We're doing that free comedy thing again on October 2nd and headlining is the wonderful

WILL FRANKEN

Seriously fiunny dude.. He'll make you's piss..
Have a read...

Will Franken. A brilliant and hilarious youngster with a penchant for psychedelic drugs. He fled his native Sedalia, Missouri, after receiving a Masters in Literature to seek his fame & fortune in NYC.Instead, he found bagels & the Mets. The Mets had fame & fortune already; but that wasn't enough for Franken, who wanted his own.

Franken's Big Apple existence was marked by highs and lows, from nailing a lucrative gig as the mascot of online library Questia, to teaching social studies and English at a middle school in Harlem. He was a fixture in New York’s Greenwich Village’s alternative theatre scene and spent his last years in that metropolis doing voiceover and on-camera work for such products as Heineken, Sprint, and Volkswagen.

Franken relocated to San Francisco. He established himself as a cult figure and, instead of making his fans and followers kill themselves, he elected to let them live and was consequently selected “Best Comedian” by SF Weekly and “Best Alternative to Psychedelic Drugs” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Tribe.net named him one of the Top 25 People to Watch Nationwide. His solo show Good Luck With It debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival to rave reviews by such local, small-town newspapers as the New York Times, and ran at San Francisco’s Marsh Theater, alongside other one-man opuses such as Grandpa! It's Not Fitting!, which subsequently had runs in Los Angeles and New York at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre. He's a prolific writer, always preferring to switch things up every chance he gets -- approaching comedy from a theatrical point of view instead of the tired, old. . .form. . 

'instead of delivering one-liners, Franken simply becomes these diverse characters, something that a generic standup would be hard-pressed to replicate' - San Francisco Herald

'glorious..' - Chortle

'Best alternative to psychedelic drugs' - San Francisco Bay Guardian

'It's more acting than standup, and no race, minority, nor pet cause is safe..' - Gelf Magazine

Full support from some excellent emerging acts..

Doors open 8pm but do come early for a seat, as they all go..

MR x

 

A brilliant and hilarious youngster with a penchant for psychedelic drugs, Franken (me) fled his native Sedalia, Missouri, after receiving a Masters in Literature (with a focus on Restoration and 18th Century British) to seek his (my) fame and fortune in New York City. Instead, he found bagels and the Mets. The Mets had fame and fortune already; but that wasn't enough for Franken, who wanted his own. - See more at: http://willfranken.com/will-bio.html#sthash.4nBEiV5c.dpuf

A brilliant and hilarious youngster with a penchant for psychedelic drugs, Franken (me) fled his native Sedalia, Missouri, after receiving a Masters in Literature (with a focus on Restoration and 18th Century British) to seek his (my) fame and fortune in New York City. Instead, he found bagels and the Mets. The Mets had fame and fortune already; but that wasn't enough for Franken, who wanted his own. - See more at: http://willfranken.com/will-bio.html#sthash.4nBEiV5c.dpuf

September 4th

Hellooo..

Hope you're all smashing and fancy some more free comedy in September coz headlining, we've got the brilliant

GARY DELANEY

Gary is another we've wanted to get in for a long time.. One-liner genius.. Almost made Jim fall off his chair at the Glee through laughter..
...
Gary Delaney is a razor sharp one-liner comedian, who is widely regarded  as being the most quotable comic on the circuit. The high quantity of stand out gags leaves the audience struggling to remember them all. He's been on your tv screens on Dave's One Night Stand, BBC's Mock The Week, Comedy Central's 'Comedy Blue' & Channel 4's 'Robert's Web'..
BBC Online described Delaney as "the man Jimmy Carr tries to be"

"Expect a cavalcade of brilliantly inventive puns from this master of the one-liner, a craftsman to be ranked along with likes of Tim Vine and Milton Jones"
- The Guardian

 "unremittingly vicious comic Gary Delaney, master of the one-liner"
- The Scotsman

 "a hugely impressive collection of exquisitely crafted gags by one of Britain’s grandmasters of the one-liner"
- Chortle

Full support from some excellent emerging acts..
As per.. Doors 8pm.. FREE entry.. Do come early to guarantee a seat..

Summertime

Yo dudes, dudettes..
Hope you' are all smashing..

We're back doing free comedy at The Victoria on July 3rd with the most incredible headliner we've ever had, he's been all over your tv screen on Mock the Week, One Night Stand, Live at the Apollo, McIntyre's Roadshow and so on..

TOM STADE

He's the rock n roll of comedy so expect your genitals to sweat, bring talc..

Since arriving in the UK, Tom Stade has steadily earned a reputation as one of the most original and exciting stand-up talents around. He instantly made a splash on the UK circuit with his magnetic stage presence, irrepressible charm and first class story-telling, and after years topping the bill and playing at international comedy festivals around the globe, he is now established as a leading touring act in his own right and finds himself well on the road to being a household name.

 'Comedy greatness' - Metro

'Sublime, original & hilarious' - Rhod Gilbert

'One of the best, stand-up elite' - Chortle

He's supported on the night by three excellent emerging acts..

Doors 8pm as usual but come early to guarantee a seat..

Peace,
MR x

Well...

Hello you lovely people..
Thanks for coming down & having a smashing birthday with us last month..

On June 5th, we have the wonderfully unique

EDWARD ACZEL

We both saw Ed at a gig in November & immediately wanted to book him, he near literally made us piss..

'Genius anti-comic Aczel is a superb pleasure to watch, and very much a cult in the making' - Time Out

'brilliantly funny..' - Steve Bennett

'you certainly won't see anyone else like him on this year's Fringe..' - Nione Meakin

 '...a masterclass..' - Chortle

'..ended up blowing Fanta out my nose. The most hilarious act around..' - Chortle





Ed will be supported by Dave Dinsdale and a 30min Edinburgh Fringe preview of the Bob Blackman Appreciation Society..

Doors open at 8pm dudes, come early to guarantee a seat though..

x

Its our Birthday!!!

Hellooo..

If you're coming ManillaRoad on May 1st, bloody good decision as we'll be two years old.. To celebrate we've an absolutely cracking lineup with headliner -

SCOTT BENNETT

Old Speckled Hen Comedian Of The Year 2010 currently blazing a trail through the Northern comedy circuit with his brilliantly honed observational material dealing with all manner of topics ranging from childbirth to eat as much as you like buffet etiquette and taking in Back To The Future on his mirth-fuelled journey.

'Naturally hilarious, the highlight of the evening' - Broadway Baby, Edinburgh Fringe 2013

'A generous helping of wonderfully witty comic observations about life's little quirks, relationships and human behaviour. Served by a Yorkshireman with relentless enthusiasm and boundless energy' -www.bbc.co.uk

"fantastic... Brilliantly written material and wonderfully delivered" - Love Comedy

He'll be supported by Danny James Clives, Chris Chopping, Russ Mulligan & Graham Milton..

As always, doors open 8pm but come early to guarantee a seat..

MR x

Dudes..

How we all doin man? Hope its all good..

Fancy FREE comedy in April? O'course you do..
Well come and see...

STUART BLACK

Stuart is funny as ........ Cannot wait to see him at ManillaRoad..
Here's a wee blurb..

Stuart Black's comedy is intelligent, twisted, dark, and very funny. Exploring life's mysteries and frustrations using language to paint colourful and memorable images.

"Warm, engaging and dangerously funny." Rip it up Magazine, Adelaide
"The punchlines are enhanced by the fact you can almost never see them coming." chortle.co.uk
"he says things you won't have heard before in an interesting, witty way, with lashings of aloof attitude." chortle.co.uk

Also got Chris Richmond, Karen Bayley, Pat Draper & Dave Pollard..
Badass..

As usual, doors 8pm, FREE entry but come early to guarantee a seat..

MR x

Yo..

Hope you's are all grand..
We got more free comedy coming on March 6th with a badass headliner again in -

JOHN HASTINGS

Winner of the 2010 Homegrown Comedy Competition
Winner of the 2012 COCA Comedian of the Year
Nominated as Best Taped Performance 2013 Canadian Comedy Awards

John has been performing standup since 2006. In 2012, John moved to London England which gave him the opportunity to be featured on BBC radio 4, BBC.com as a comedy correspondent and be selected to appear in the Comedy Reserve Showcase at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in 2013.

We've been trying to get him since August 2012, you're in for a treat..

Also on are Jack Campbell, James Cook, Jo Coffey & Dave Tomlinson..

As per, doors 8pm but get in early to guarantee a seat..
Peace x

Hellooo..

Dammit we've missed you lot..

Hope you's are all grand

ManillaRoad is back on 5th February (yes, a Wednesday) with an ace lineup of -

HEADLINER

Ian Crawford

Ian brings his health and safety techniques whilst using cutlery, really funny dude.. And deadly forking serious..

Also on the bill are -

Darren Harriott, Matt Richards, Annette Fagon & Andy Robinson..

As per, doors open 8pm..

See you soon...