Comedy

UPFRONT COMEDY WINTER SERIES

Friday 3rd October

A new series kicks off at the ever popular Birmingham home of upfront with local boy making good John Simmit introducing a heavyweight bill featuring black comedy pioneer Felix Dexter, the UK debut of LA's witty Gayla Johnson (upfront's newest import) and comedy's next big thing Ola from Croydon.
The Drum, Potters Lane, Birmingham 7.30pm 0121 333 2444

Saturday 4th October

Albany Upfront - MTV's livewire presenter KAT hosts an international bill in Upfront's return to this cosy south London venue, following the roadblock of an attendance last time out. He introduces visiting LA comedienne Gayla Johnson, midlands gentle giant (& phone code expert) Ryan Gough and Brixton bus driver turned very funny comic Slim. The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, LONDON 8pm 0208 692 4446

Thursday 9th October

This Croydon outing features an international mix of 3 very different female performers, with LA's impishly funny Gayla Johnsonganging up with former prison guard turned comic Ava Vidal and the acidic Kerry Leigh making her Upfront debut. Token male John Simmit hosts.Croydon Clocktower, Katherine Street, CROYDON 0208 253 1030

Friday 17th October

Oddball Jewish New Yorker Lewis Schaffer joins a varied line up including cockney wideboy - and single dad - Quincy, and heavyweight humour from Geoff Schumann with host John Simmit weighing to distribute the laughs evenly. Tabernacle Centre, Powis Square, Ladbroke Grove, LONDON 0207 221 9700

Friday 14th November

Award winning Jamaican comedian Tony 'Paleface' Hendriks heads up a strong bill, including local boy making good Mr Cee, prison officer turned comedienne Ava Vidal & host former Teletubbie John Simmit.

Friday 5th December

Richard Blackwood brings his GQ wit to the proceedings, alongside west London's own Glenda Jackson, perfect gentleman Joe Bor, plus west London's cuddly Teddy Bear making the crosstown tube journey to host the show.