Stephen Bailey: Where Wit Meets Warmth

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

If comedy had a glitter cannon, Stephen Bailey would be the one pulling the trigger. Loud, proud, and gloriously himself, Stephen’s comedy is bursting with warmth, camp confidence, and razor-sharp observations about life, love, and growing up gay in the North.

Why not visit his Linktree for further information

He’s a natural storyteller — the kind who can turn family chaos, dating disasters and everyday awkwardness into laugh-out-loud moments that feel instantly relatable. There’s boldness on stage, sure, but there’s also heart. Stephen’s humour never punches down; it lifts the room and brings everyone in on the joke.

Whether he’s tearing it up on TV, hosting with infectious joy, or owning the stage at a comedy club, Stephen Bailey is pure feel-good comedy. You leave lighter than you arrived — and that’s a proper gift.

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Alex Mitchell: Dry Wit, Big Laughs, Zero Fuss

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

There’s a particular joy in watching a comedian who doesn’t need to shout for attention — they just quietly take the room and win it. Alex Mitchell is exactly that kind of performer: sharp, understated, and effortlessly funny.

Alex’s comedy leans into dry observation and beautifully timed understatement. He has a knack for spotting the absurd in everyday life and presenting it with a straight face that makes the punchlines land even harder. Nothing feels rushed or forced — he lets the joke breathe, trusts the audience, and somehow makes it all look deceptively easy.

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A big part of Alex’s appeal is how relatable his material feels. He talks openly about disability, relationships, and the small social awkwardnesses we all recognise, but never in a way that feels heavy or preachy. Instead, his comedy reframes assumptions, pokes fun at stereotypes, and invites the audience to laugh with him rather than at anyone. It’s smart, generous comedy — and it stays with you long after the gig ends.

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You might recognise Alex from TV appearances or comedy festivals, but he really shines live. There’s a warmth to his stage presence that draws people in, paired with a mischievous edge that keeps you slightly off-balance (in the best way). One moment you’re nodding along, the next you’re laughing because he’s twisted a familiar situation just enough to surprise you.

In a comedy scene that often rewards loudness and shock, Alex Mitchell proves that subtlety still packs a punch. Thoughtful, inclusive, and consistently hilarious, he’s a comedian who makes rooms feel more human — and a lot funnier.

If you get the chance to see him live, take it. Just don’t expect big gestures or wild antics. Expect precision, warmth, and laughs that sneak up on you when you least expect them.

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Hannah Platt: Sharp & Northern

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

Hannah Platt walks on stage with the energy of someone who’s clocked the room in seconds — and decided she’s running it.

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Her comedy is sharp, politically aware, and gloriously Northern. She has that rare ability to be deeply thoughtful without ever losing the laugh. One minute she’s dissecting class, power or politics; the next she’s skewering the everyday nonsense we’ve all quietly accepted. And it’s all delivered with precision and bite.

There’s a confidence to Hannah’s writing that feels earned. She doesn’t soften her edges to make a point more palatable. She trusts the audience to keep up — and when they do, the payoff is big. Smart callbacks, tight structures, and punchlines that land with a satisfying snap.

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What makes her stand out is the balance. There’s fire in the material, but also warmth. You’re laughing, yes — but you’re also thinking. And that combination sticks.

Fearless, funny, and fiercely intelligent — Hannah Platt is comedy with backbone.

Hannah live at 53two at Testing Testing
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Susie McCabe: Big Laughs, Big Heart, Zero Pretence

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

Watching Susie McCabe live is like being let in on a brilliantly funny, brutally honest secret. She doesn’t glide onto the stage polished and distant — she arrives exactly as she is, and within minutes the room is completely hers.

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Susie’s comedy is fearless, working-class, deeply human and laugh-out-loud funny. She talks about class, addiction, mental health, relationships and identity without ever sounding preachy or self-important. The jokes land because they’re rooted in truth — and because she is very, very good at what she does.

What makes Susie stand out isn’t just her punchlines (though they are sharp). It’s the generosity behind them. She can eviscerate a system, a stereotype or her own past in one breath, then pull you back in with warmth the next. You laugh hard, then realise — slightly later — that something important has just been said.

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Her stories feel lived, not observed from a distance. There’s no comedy-club gloss, no performative relatability. Just honesty, swagger and impeccable timing.

Susie McCabe matters because she doesn’t soften herself to fit the room. She represents voices that comedy has too often ignored — working-class women, queer women, people who’ve lived through addiction and come out the other side with scars and stories.

Seeing her headline stages sends a clear message: you don’t have to change who you are to belong in comedy. You can turn up, take up space, and be unapologetically yourself.

This is why live comedy matters. This is why she matters.

Why you should go and see her

  • Because she’s one of the sharpest comedians working today
  • Because her comedy is political without being pompous
  • Because she makes rooms feel inclusive, loud and alive
  • Because supporting comedians like Susie keeps live comedy brave

If you get the chance to see Susie McCabe live — take it. Bring friends. Laugh hard. Leave feeling seen, lighter, and a little bit braver.

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A Very Short History of Cardigans and Comedians

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

Every comedy club contains two essentials: a microphone that’s slightly unreliable, and a comedian in a cardigan.

This is not an accident.

The cardigan was clearly invented for people who want to look harmless while delivering sharp observations about life, society, and their own emotional damage. Buttoned up, soft-edged, quietly reassuring — it says, “Trust me, I’m about to say something bold, but gently.”

The cardigan, legend has it, is for people who wanted the warmth of a jumper without the commitment of pulling it over their head. Early adopters included librarians, substitute teachers, and inevitably comedians who needed somewhere discreet to stash notes, anxiety, and emergency mints.

Comedians quickly realised the power of knitwear. You can roast politics, relationships, or capitalism itself, but if you’re wearing a cardigan the audience thinks: “Well, they seem nice.” It’s basically a consent form in wool.

Behind the scenes, cardigans serve many vital functions: absorbing nerves, hiding sweat, offering something to clutch when a punchline wobbles, and allowing a dramatic unbuttoning to signal confidence.

Today’s comedians may tackle big subjects – identity, inequality, the price of cheese – but the cardigan remains a loyal companion.

Now it comes in bolder colours, oversized fits, and ironic patterns that scream: “I thrifted this, and yes, it is part of the bit.”

The modern cardigan says:
“I’m relatable.” “I have a podcast.”
“I will make you laugh, then gently ruin your worldview.”

Fashion trends come and go, but the cardigan remains — cosy, dependable, and forever associated with people brave enough to stand on stage and confess their worst thoughts for laughs.

A few of my favourite comedians in cardigans that come to mind include Toby Hadoke, Rich Wilson, Eshaan Akbar, Andy Barr, Danny Ward and Jon Richardson.

So next time you see a comedian in a cardigan, remember: they’re not just dressed for comfort. They’re wearing 200 years of comedic tradition, emotional resilience, and at least one spare button.

Long live the cardigan: comedy’s softest suit of armour.

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Oliver Bowler: One to Watch on the UK Comedy Circuit

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

Oliver Bowler is fast becoming one to watch on the UK comedy circuit. Hailing from Bolton, Oliver brings bags of warmth, energy, and unmistakably northern charm to the stage.

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His comedy is rooted in everyday life — relationships, awkward moments, and the small absurdities we all recognise — delivered with confident storytelling and playful physicality. He has a natural ease with audiences, the kind that makes you feel like you’re laughing with a mate rather than being talked at.

Often praised for his strong stage presence and crowd-pleasing style, Oliver is equally at home in comedy clubs and festival line-ups, winning over rooms with big laughs and genuine likability. Fresh, relatable, and very funny, Oliver is a rising name and well worth catching live.

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Why Supporting Female Comedians (and Live Comedy) Matters

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

Live comedy is one of the last truly shared cultural experiences. You sit in a room with strangers, laugh at the same moment, and leave a little lighter than when you arrived. But who gets the mic — and whose stories we hear — still isn’t equal.

Supporting female comedians isn’t about ticking a diversity box. It’s about making comedy richer, braver and more reflective of real life.

More voices = better comedy

Women bring perspectives shaped by lived experience — from the absurdities of everyday sexism to the sharp observations of work, family, politics and power. When those voices are missing, comedy shrinks. When they’re centre stage, it expands.

Some of the most exciting, boundary-pushing work in UK comedy right now is being led by women who are fearless, political, playful and deeply human. Supporting them means backing originality over familiarity.

Live comedy needs us

Comedy clubs, scratch nights and festivals are where new material is born. They’re also where female comedians often take the biggest risks — trying new ideas, challenging norms, and sometimes failing loudly (which is how great comedy is made).

Buying tickets, turning up, and bringing friends keeps these spaces alive. Without audiences, there is no circuit. Without a circuit, voices get lost.

Representation changes who feels welcome

Seeing women headline comedy nights or dominate a bill sends a powerful message: this space is for you too. It encourages more women — especially younger performers — to step up, grab the mic, and tell their own stories rather than squeezing into someone else’s.

It also changes audiences. Comedy rooms become more welcoming, more diverse, and frankly more interesting.

What supporting looks like (in practice)

  • Go to live shows — especially smaller nights where new work happens
  • Pay for tickets (free culture is fragile culture)
  • Follow, share and shout about female comedians on social media
  • Challenge all-male line-ups by asking questions, not starting wars
  • Recommend shows to friends — word of mouth still matters most

Laughter is political (whether it means to be or not)

Who we laugh with — and who we listen to — says a lot about the world we want. Supporting female comedians is about more than jokes. It’s about visibility, confidence, and whose truths get airtime.

So next time you’re scanning listings, choose live comedy. Choose women-led line-ups. Choose rooms full of laughter, risk and possibility.

Because when women thrive on stage, comedy thrives too.

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Lindsey Santoro: Sharp, Relatable, and Effortlessly Funny

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

If you like your comedy honest, sharp, and rooted in real life, Lindsey Santoro is one to watch.

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Lindsey’s comedy thrives on the everyday — relationships, modern womanhood, awkward moments, and the things we’re all thinking but rarely say out loud. Her delivery is warm and conversational, but don’t be fooled: the punchlines land hard, often catching you laughing before you realise how cleverly she’s set you up.

A familiar face on the UK comedy circuit and TV screens, Lindsey has appeared on shows like Live at the Apollo, The Russell Howard Hour, and Comedy Central Live. She’s also a regular at top clubs and festivals, where her grounded, no-nonsense style consistently wins over rooms.

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What makes Lindsey stand out is her relatability. There’s no character, no gimmick — just brilliantly observed humour, self-aware storytelling, and an ability to make audiences feel instantly at ease. One minute you’re nodding along in recognition; the next you’re laughing at how perfectly she’s summed up something you’ve never quite been able to put into words.

Smart without being smug, confident without being flashy, Lindsey Santoro is proof that great comedy doesn’t need to shout. It just needs to be true — and very, very funny.

If you get the chance to see her live, take it. You’ll leave feeling seen, slightly called out, and thoroughly entertained.

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Eshaan Akbar: Smart, Fearless, and Laugh-Out-Loud Sharp

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

Eshaan Akbar is one of those comedians who makes you laugh and think — often at the same time. His comedy is bold, politically switched-on, and delivered with a grin that says he knows exactly where the joke is landing.

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Eshaan takes on big subjects — identity, race, politics, culture — and somehow makes them feel personal, relatable, and properly funny. There’s no lecturing, no heaviness. Just sharp observations, smart angles, and punchlines that cut clean.
What really sets him apart is his confidence on stage. Eshaan doesn’t hedge or soften his point of view. He leans into it. The result is comedy that feels urgent, contemporary, and refreshingly honest — the kind that leaves a room buzzing long after the laughs fade.

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Fearless, intelligent, and seriously entertaining, Eshaan Akbar is comedy with teeth and impeccable timing.

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Operation Mincemeat – The Musical That Outsmarts History

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

If you think war stories are all grit, mud and stern faces, think again. Operation Mincemeat turns one of World War II’s most audacious espionage missions into a riotously clever, high-energy musical – and somehow makes it both hilarious and deeply moving.

Based on the real 1943 British intelligence operation, the show tells the story of a corpse, a fake identity, and an elaborate bluff designed to fool the Nazis about the Allied invasion of Sicily. It sounds improbable because it is. But it happened.

What makes the musical soar isn’t just the outlandish premise – it’s the razor-sharp writing. Created by the brilliantly inventive troupe SpitLip, the show blends quick-change performances, whip-smart lyrics and a wink-to-the-audience energy that keeps you constantly leaning in.

The cast play multiple roles with breathless commitment. One moment you’re watching buttoned-up military strategists; the next, a swaggering naval officer or an unexpectedly poignant love interest. It’s theatrical athleticism at its finest.

But beneath the satire and silliness lies something more thoughtful. The show gently asks: who gets remembered in history? Whose stories are told? And what does it mean to invent a life – even for a dead man – in service of a greater good?

The score swings from patter-song brilliance to surprisingly tender ballads. You laugh – properly laugh – and then suddenly you’re caught off guard by a lump in your throat.

In short, Operation Mincemeat proves that even in the darkest chapters of history, ingenuity and humanity shine through. It’s bold, bonkers, and brilliantly British.

History has never been this entertaining.

Cast members in the current tour include Christian Andrews, Seán Carey, Charlotte Hanna-Williams and Holly Sumpton and Jamie-Rose Monk. Amazing vocals from each cast member and the Dear Bill song is just stunning.

Details of the UK tour can be found here.

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Sam Hickman: Harp, Heart & Hilarious

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Fy Mywyd

There aren’t many comedians and performers who walk on stage with a harp. And that’s exactly why Sam Hickman is such a joy to watch.

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Yes, she sings.
Yes, she plays the harp. Yes, she is a cabaret performer and a comedian.
And yes — Sam is properly funny.

Sam blends musical skill with sharp, knowing comedy. One moment you’re lulled by the elegance of the harp; the next she’s undercutting it with a lyric that’s dry, mischievous, and perfectly timed. The contrast is what makes it land. Delicate instrument. Bold punchline.
Her stage presence is calm but commanding.

She doesn’t belt for attention — she draws you in, string by string, joke by joke. There’s intelligence in the writing, warmth in the delivery, and just enough cheek to keep you guessing.

Musical comedy can sometimes lean novelty. Sam Hickman makes it feel effortless and clever.
Harp. Humour. And a beautifully timed sting in the tail.

I may be biased as Sam is based in Cardiff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 and you can find out more about upcoming performances on her Linktree.

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