Peter Brush is a British stand-up comedian renowned for his distinctive style, clever wordplay and wonderfully dry sense of humour. Rather than relying on predictable punchlines, Peter has a talent for taking everyday observations and giving them an unexpected, often delightfully absurd twist.
His comedy is particularly appealing to audiences who enjoy intelligent material and carefully crafted jokes. With his understated delivery and sharp writing, Peter can make a simple observation develop into something surprisingly funny.
A familiar face on the UK comedy circuit, Peter Brush has built a reputation for thoughtful, original stand-up that rewards audiences who appreciate a more subtle approach to comedy. His performances demonstrate that sometimes the quietest joke can deliver the biggest laugh.
For fans of inventive, wordplay-driven and offbeat comedy, Peter Brush is a comedian well worth discovering.
The success of Manchester’s Women in Comedy Festival is something to celebrate.
It has showcased the talent, creativity and diversity of women in comedy — and reminds us of a simple truth: women are funny, women are brilliant, and women deserve the stage.
So why, in 2026, are all-male comedy line-ups still being booked?
The talent is there. So what’s the excuse?
Comedy clubs, festivals and promoters have a responsibility to reflect the wealth of talent out there. Yet all-male bills continue to appear, often without anyone questioning why women are missing.
Perhaps it’s habit. Perhaps promoters keep returning to familiar names and networks. But if you only book people you already know, you will keep getting the same results.
“We couldn’t find any women” is not a convincing excuse. It begs the question: where did you look?
There are women comedians performing at every level, from newcomers taking their first steps on stage to experienced professionals delivering outstanding sets. Finding them might mean looking beyond the usual contacts, visiting different comedy nights and making a conscious effort to discover new talent.
That is not tokenism. It is good programming.
Women in comedy should not be a special event.
Manchester’s Women in Comedy Festival provides a vital platform, creates opportunities and brings fresh voices to audiences. But women’s visibility should not depend on a dedicated festival.
Women should be booked throughout the year, on mixed bills, at headline shows and at comedy festivals across the UK. They should not have to wait for a themed night or a special occasion to be given the same opportunities as men.
The aim is not to make every line-up identical. It is to ensure that talent, rather than habit or narrow networks, determines who gets booked.
A comedy scene that welcomes a broader range of voices is a richer, more exciting scene for everyone.
Support live comedy. Support women.
Audiences have a part to play, too. Buy tickets. Fill the rooms. Bring friends. Share recommendations. Go and see women comedians you have not encountered before.
Live comedy depends on people turning up, and every ticket helps support the performers, venues and promoters who make these shows possible.
If you run a venue or organise comedy nights, look at your line-ups. Ask who is missing. Expand your networks. Seek out women performers and give them opportunities to grow.
And if you see yet another all-male bill advertised, ask why.
It’s time for change — everywhere.
Manchester’s Women in Comedy Festival is a reason to celebrate, but it must also be a catalyst for change beyond Manchester. This is an industry-wide issue, and responsibility lies with promoters, venues, festivals and audiences everywhere.
Women comedians do not need special treatment. They need fair opportunities, decent stage time and the chance to reach audiences.
No more excuses. No more treating all-male line-ups as business as usual.
The talent is there. The laughter is there. The audiences are there.
Now let’s make sure the opportunities are there, too.
Kimia Etemadi is a comedian bringing a distinctive perspective and plenty of personality to the comedy scene. With an engaging style and a sharp eye for the funny side of everyday life, she has a knack for turning familiar experiences into entertaining stories.
What makes Kimia’s comedy stand out is her ability to connect with an audience. Her material combines observational humour with personal experiences, creating performances that feel both authentic and relatable. She has a natural stage presence that helps her deliver everything from quick one-liners to longer stories with confidence and charm.
As audiences continue to discover her work, Kimia represents the kind of fresh, individual voice that keeps stand-up comedy exciting. For anyone looking for a comedian with an original perspective and an entertaining approach, she is certainly one to keep an eye on.
You can watch Kimia’s show as part of the Women in Comedy Festival taking place in October 2026.
Sian Davies is a talented stand-up comedian, writer and theatre maker from Liverpool. Known for her sharp wit, honest storytelling and energetic performances, she has built a strong reputation on the UK comedy circuit.
Sian’s comedy often explores identity, class, relationships and everyday life, combining personal experiences with clever observations. Her style is warm and entertaining, but she is also unafraid to tackle bigger social issues.
Away from her own stand-up career, Sian is perhaps best known as the founder of Best in Class, a project created to support working-class comedians and challenge financial barriers within the comedy industry. The initiative began at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2018 and has grown into an important platform for new talent.
Sian has also received recognition for her work, including the Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize for Best in Class in 2022 and Best Debut Show at the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2020. Her shows This Charming Man and Band of Gold have also received critical attention.
With her distinctive voice, fearless humour and commitment to making comedy more accessible, Sian Davies is a comedian who is not only making audiences laugh but also helping to create opportunities for others.
Hayley Ellis is a British comedian known for turning the ordinary chaos of everyday life into sharp, relatable comedy. With her quick wit, energetic delivery and knack for finding humour in the little things, Hayley has built a strong following among comedy fans.
Her style is refreshingly down-to-earth. Rather than relying on complicated setups, Hayley draws inspiration from relationships, family life, awkward moments and the bizarre situations that many of us recognise from our own lives. Her observational humour has a natural conversational quality, making her performances feel like a hilarious chat with a very funny friend.
Whether she’s performing on stage, appearing at comedy events or sharing her humour online, Hayley brings an infectious energy to everything she does. She is establishing herself as a distinctive voice on the UK comedy scene, with audiences appreciating both her honesty and her ability to make seemingly mundane experiences genuinely funny.
If you enjoy comedy that is relatable, lively and packed with everyday observations, Hayley Ellis is definitely a comedian worth discovering.
Jessie Nixon is a comedian bringing energy, personality and a distinctive perspective to the UK comedy scene. With an engaging stage presence and a talent for finding humour in everyday situations, Jessie’s comedy is both entertaining and relatable.
Her performances combine sharp observations with lively storytelling, creating the kind of comedy that quickly draws an audience in. Jessie has a natural ability to turn familiar experiences and unexpected moments into memorable laughs.
With a style that feels fresh and authentic, Jessie Nixon is a performer worth keeping an eye on. Whether you’re a regular comedy fan or simply looking for a new comedian to discover, Jessie offers an entertaining take on the world around her.
When it comes to British comedy, few performers are as fearless, inventive, and delightfully unpredictable as Adam Riches. Known for his high-energy performances, surreal characters, and unforgettable audience interaction, Adam has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most original comedians.
Born on 29 March 1973 in Cambridge, England, Adam Riches grew up in Glasgow and London before studying Media and Performance at the University of Salford. After briefly working at Disneyland Paris, he began pursuing comedy and debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2003. His unconventional approach quickly set him apart from traditional stand-up comedians.
Unlike many comedians who rely solely on storytelling or observational humour, Adam creates immersive theatrical experiences. His shows often feature outrageous characters, physical comedy, and audience participation, making every performance different from the last.
One of his best-known comic creations is an exaggerated version of actor Sean Bean, a character that became popular through appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. His willingness to fully commit to absurd characters has earned him a loyal following among comedy fans.
Adam achieved widespread recognition in 2011 when he won the prestigious Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Comedy Show. The award cemented his place as one of Britain’s leading live performers and opened doors to television, radio, and larger theatre productions.
Over the years, he has also received nominations for several Chortle Awards and has continued to experiment with ambitious live comedy projects.
Beyond the stage, Adam has appeared on numerous television programmes and comedy panel shows. His work includes acting, writing, and creating memorable characters for both TV and radio. He also starred in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom The Cold Swedish Winter, showcasing his talent beyond live performance.
What makes Adam Riches stand out is his complete commitment to every performance. Whether he’s playing an eccentric sports legend, a Hollywood action hero, or a wildly exaggerated celebrity, he performs with remarkable energy and confidence.
His comedy is often described as:
– Bold and imaginative – Character-driven – Highly interactive – Unpredictable – Packed with physical humour and improvisation
For audiences looking for something beyond conventional stand-up, Adam Riches delivers an unforgettable live experience.
More than two decades into his career, Adam continues to create fresh, original comedy. He regularly develops new characters, tours live shows, and collaborates with fellow comedians, proving that innovation remains at the heart of his work.
Adam has carved out a unique place in British comedy by refusing to follow the traditional stand-up formula. His fearless creativity, award-winning performances, and unforgettable characters have made him one of the most respected and original comedians working today.
Whether you’ve seen him live, watched his television appearances, or discovered his eccentric characters online, Adam represents the kind of comedy that surprises, challenges, and, above all, makes people laugh. His career is a reminder that the best comedians are often those willing to take the biggest creative risks.
Taken from his WIP preview at XS Malarkey
Adam is taking two shows to the Edinburgh Fringe this year – both are very different, exceptionally written and very funny.
When it comes to original comedy, Rob Kemp has carved out a unique place on the UK comedy scene. Known for blending storytelling, music, theatre, and stand-up, Rob has earned a reputation as one of Britain’s most inventive comedians.
From his new Edinburgh Fringe show “Beetlejuice”
His breakthrough show The Elvis Dead —a hilarious retelling of the cult horror film Evil Dead II through the songs of Elvis Presley — won multiple awards and received widespread critical acclaim.
What makes Rob Kemp stand out is his willingness to experiment. Rather than relying on traditional stand-up, his performances combine clever writing, high energy, and unexpected ideas that keep audiences engaged from start to finish. His later shows, including Agenda, have explored more personal themes while maintaining his trademark humour and creativity.
Whether performing at comedy festivals or touring theatres across the UK, Rob continues to prove that comedy can be bold, imaginative, and genuinely surprising. For anyone looking for something beyond the ordinary stand-up routine, he’s a comedian well worth seeing.
Check out his Edinburgh Fringe show, Beetlejuice through the songs of the Beatles, which I was very lucky to watch a preview recently at XS Malarkey.
Absolutely magnificent, very funny, and Rob is brilliant and so are his props!
Tom Neenan is one of the most inventive comedians working in British comedy today. Known for his sharp writing, clever storytelling, and memorable character performances, he has built a reputation as a performer who combines intelligence with genuine humour. Beyond stand-up, Neenan has worked as a writer, actor, and script editor across television, radio, and podcasts.
One of his most celebrated projects is The Hauntening, a comedy-horror series for BBC Radio 4 that showcases his talent for blending suspense with comedy. He has also contributed writing to major comedy programmes, including The Mash Report and The Last Leg, demonstrating his versatility as both a performer and behind-the-scenes creative force.
Live at XS Malarkey
What makes Tom Neenan stand out is his ability to craft imaginative stories packed with unexpected twists, while maintaining a warm and relatable comic style.
Whether performing live at the Edinburgh Fringe or writing for television and radio, he continues to be a unique and respected voice in modern British comedy.
For comedy fans looking for something witty, inventive, and a little different, Tom Neenan is a performer well worth discovering.
There’s a particular kind of comedian who makes you feel like you’ve been let in on a secret — someone whose observations cut so clean and so fast that you’re still laughing when you realise you’ve also been made to think. Sophie Duker is that kind of comedian.
From Oxford to the Edinburgh Fringe Born in London to first-generation West African immigrants — her mother from Cameroon, her father from Ghana — Duker studied French and English at Wadham College, Oxford, where she first caught the comedy bug with the Oxford Imps improv troupe. What started as a university hobby quickly became a calling.
By 2015, she had been shortlisted for the prestigious Funny Women award. By 2018, she was performing her debut solo stand-up show, Diet Woke, on the Edinburgh circuit. Her follow-up, Venus, earned her a Best Newcomer nomination at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019 and a sold-out run at London’s Soho Theatre — cementing her as one of the most exciting voices to emerge from the British comedy scene in years.
What makes Sophie stand out is both her material and her delivery. Her comedy is fearless, sharp, and proudly subversive — she tackles race, gender, queerness, and power with a wit that never feels preachy, only dazzlingly precise. She has the rare ability to make an audience feel uncomfortable and delighted at exactly the same time.
That quality has translated into a packed TV career: she’s appeared on Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, and The Last Leg, among many others. In 2022, she won Series 13 of Taskmaster outright — a fitting tribute to a performer whose brain works at a different speed from everyone else in the room.
Sophie is no one-trick pony. As a writer, she has contributed to Horrible Histories, Spitting Image, The BAFTAs, and Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle, and won the 2021 Funny Women Best Comedy Writer Award. As an improviser, she performs regularly with the legendary Comedy Store Players. In 2025, she took her show BUT DADDY, I LOVE HER! on a tour across three continents.
And she’s not stopping there. After a competitive auction, her debut novel, DONG, was acquired by Borough Press (HarperCollins), due for publication in 2027.
Sophie Duker is the kind of act you want to catch before everyone else does — except, increasingly, everyone already has. Whether you’re new to her work or a longtime fan, her Edinburgh shows, Soho Theatre runs, and television appearances are the perfect entry points into a comedy career that’s only getting started.
Watch this space. Actually — just watch Sophie Duker.
