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...

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..

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

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 

Opening lineup...

Helloooooo.


Its here. The lineup for our opening night & what a belter.


On May 3rd at Bluu, Summer Row, Birmingham City Centre.
We have...


Albert Smith
Neil Irving
Alice Rosenthal
David Rees-Jones
Alex Crowther
Karen Bayley
Masai Graham
Darren Harriot
Roger Swift
& compere 'the body of darts' Jim Kelly


FREE entry, 2-4-1 on all draught & certain cocktails.
Bostin'.


See you's there 


ManillaRoad x