THE Comedy Network is coming to Selby Town Hall for the first time this autumn, launching a series of showcases of national circuit acts on September 18.
Each club night features a master of ceremonies, support act and headliner for the introductory price of £10 a ticket.
First up will be a 7.30pm bill of Phil Ellis, Katie Mulgrew and Travis Jay, with tickets on sale on 01757 708449 or selbytownhall.co.uk or on the door from 7pm.
Headliner Ellis, who combines off-beat observational material and physical comedy, won the Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize for his anarchic sleeper hit Funz And Gamez, later broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC3.
Ellis has written and starred in three series of his Radio 4 sitcom, Phil Ellis Is Trying, joined by Lolly Adefope, Johnny Vegas, Sean Lock and Lee Mack. The second series was nominated for Best Scripted Comedy (Longform) in the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2020.
The support slot goes to Mancunian actor and comedian Mulgrew, who has been heard on BBC Radio 4 and Radio 2 and seen on CBBC and ITV2 and was a writer for Radio 4’s The News Quiz.
She is the daughter of Irish humorist Jimmy Cricket and has supported The Boy With Tape On His Face, Vikki Stone and Matt Richardson on their UK tours.
The evening will be compered by Spitting Image writer Jay, who supported Dave Chapelle on his Sticks & Stones dates in London.
The Comedy Network programme is curated by comedy producer and agency Avalon, who are responsible for such shows as Taskmaster, The Russell Howard Hour Not Going Out and Spitting Image and represent the likes of Dave Gorman, Frank Skinner and Rose Matafeo.
The Comedy Network gives audiences then chance to see tomorrow’s arena fillers today and over the years has provided a platform for stand-ups such as Russell Howard, John Oliver, Harry Hill, Bill Bailey, Roisin Conaty, Lee Mack, Stewart Lee, Greg Davies, Al Murray, Noel Fielding, Ross Noble, Chris Ramsey, Joe Wilkinson and Jenny Eclair.
Selby Town Council arts officer Chris Jones, who programmes the Town Hall seasons, says: “We’ve mooted setting up a comedy club for many years and have finally taken the plunge…at what now looks like being an even tougher time for ticket sales than the immediate post-Covid period.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be welcoming The Comedy Network to Selby. My own first experience of live stand-up was at a Comedy Network club night almost quarter of a century ago, being mesmerised by a headline slot from now cult icon Daniel Kitson.
“The club has supported so many of today’s top acts on their way to super stardom – it’s a real opportunity to seek out new talent and experience those ‘I saw them here first’ moments. And with three acts on each bill for just £10, it’s also an exceptionally good value night out!”
The Comedy Network’s further 7.30pm bills at Selby Town Hall will feature: Robert White, Maff Brown and Meryl O’Rourke on October 30; Steve Bugeja, Annie McGrath and Darran Griffiths on December 18 and Tez Ilyas, Lovell Smith and Aaron Twitchen on January 29 2023.
