BATTERSEA ARTS CENTRE COMEDY SEASON 2021 

Artist: Nabil Abdulrashid (Work in Progress)
Date: 1 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/nabil-abdulrashid-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+

Join Nabil Abdulrashid (Britain's Got Talent, BBC Funny Festival Live) as he tries out some new stand-up material. Finalist: ITV's Britain's Got Talent 2020. The Guardian Top 10 Comedy Shows 2020, The Guardian Top 10 Comedians to watch 2021

Artist: Crybabies (Work in Progress)
Title: Bagbeard
Date: 2 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/crybabies-bagbeard/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+
Join James (tall), Ed (handsome) and Mikey (?) on their latest sketch and storytelling adventure about finding home, forbidden love, magic, mystery, town planning, owl summoning and discarded cardboard tubing. Crybabies are the comedic union of Michael Clarke, James Gault and Ed Jones. The trio’s debut show Danger Brigade was one of the breakout hits of the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, earning them a Best Newcomer nomination and transferring to a sold out run at London’s Soho theatre, followed by a national UK tour.

Company: The Free Association

Title: Summer Camp
Date: 3 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/the-free-association-presents-summer-camp/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+

Summer Camp brings together The Free Association’s queer performers. Featuring a queer guest performer and a whole host of hilarious improv. Summer Camp are Luke Healy, Chloe Godman, James Barr, Ruairi McInerney, Liz Guterbock and Rob Sladden. This show is one of a series of hit improv shows presented by The Free Association at Battersea Arts Centre, every Friday in September.

Company: The Free Association
Title: Jacuzii
Date: 3 & 17 September, 1 October
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/the-free-association-presents-jacuzii/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+
Jacuzii is a critically-acclaimed show with an all-star group of improvisers, joined by a very special guest ‘monologist’. Based on these monologues, the cast create completely improvised scenes and sketches for an hour of fast-paced comedy. This show is one of a series of hit improv shows presented by The Free Association at Battersea Arts Centre, every Friday in September.

Artist: Sarah Keyworth (Work in Progress)
Date: 5 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/sarah-keyworth-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
An hour of new material from Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Sarah Keyworth. Winner: Herald Angel Award. Winner: Pleasance Best Newcomer Award. As seen and heard on Roast Battle, The Stand Up Sketch Show and The Now Show. Sarah also writes and presents original shows for radio, including the recent You’ll Do, and Are You a Boy or a Girl? (BBCR4).

Artist: Jordan Brookes (Work in Progress)
Date: 6 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/jordan-brookes-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
Jordan Brookes won the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Comedy Show at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe with his hit show I’ve Got Nothing. He was also nominated for the same award in 2017 and won the Chortle Comedian’s Comedian Award in 2018. As well as being a critically acclaimed comedian Jordan is also an actor and writer, with numerous projects in development for TV and radio. Recently, he created his own series of shorts for Channel 4. 

Artist: Alfie Brown (Work in Progress)
Date: 8 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/alfie-brown-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
Alfie Brown’s firebrand style of comedy has been forged from years of pushing boundaries and experimentation. Natural stage presence combined with explosive material makes for a thrilling performance every time he hits the stage. Constantly evolving and striving for ways to innovate, Alfie can move from hour-long idea driven shows to tight sets in various clubs effortlessly. 

Artist: Elf Lyons (Work in Progress)
Title: Talks Dirty for an Hour
Date: 9 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/elf-lyons-talks-dirty-for-an-hour/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 50mins
Age guidance: 18+
Join award winning comedian Elf Lyons for an hour of revelry, raconteuring and comedy your great-grandad would consider 'indecent' for a lady to listen to. As seen on The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Comedians Against Living Miserably Comedy Gala (Dave), The Dog Ate My Homework (CBBC), Unexpected Fluids (BBC Radio 1), Evil Genius (BBC Sounds), and BBC World Service‘s Stand Up Show.

Company: The Free Association
Title: I’m Not Here To Make Friends
Date: 10 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/the-free-association-presents-im-not-here-to-make-friends/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+

I’m Not Here To Make Friends is a new improvised reality TV show. Based on audience suggestions, the cast of some of the UK’s top improv comedians will lead the audience through a juicy, uproarious and totally improvised reality TV show. This show is one of a series of hit improv shows presented by The Free Association at Battersea Arts Centre, every Friday in September.

Artist: Alison Spittle (Work in Progress)
Date: 11 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/alison-spittle-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
Award-winning writer and comedian Alison Spittle can regularly be heard on The Guilty Feminist and BBC Radio 4’s Grownup Land. She is the creator and star of the television series Nowhere Fast, which aired on RTÉ2 to great critical acclaim. She also starred in the film Extra Ordinary, featured in RTÉ’s Celebrity Globetrotters and can be heard on BBCR4’s The Leak and Fresh From the Fringe.

United Agents present
Artist: Nigel Ng (Work in Progress)
Date: 12 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/nigel-ng-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
Nigel Ng works out new material for his show. He hopes at least some of it will be good. Life has changed a lot since he last performed, and he's still getting used to his new role of egg fried rice critic. Nigel is a Malaysian comedian and content creator. As a standup, Nigel has been nominated for the Best Newcomer Award for his sold-out show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019, and sold out multiple runs throughout the UK and Europe. His TV credits include Comedy Central’s Stand Up Central and Roast Battle, BBC Two's Mock The Week and ITV’s Jonathan Ross Comedy Club. Nigel also hosts Rice To Meet You, a hugely popular comedy podcast.

Company: Shelf (Work in Progress)
Title: One Man Band
Date: 14 | 22 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard | Council Chamber       
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/shelf-one-man-band/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+
With over 1m views for their work on BBC3, Shelf are a musical comedy double act, “a winning hybrid of sketch show and standup” (Edfringe Review). In their brand new show, One Man Band, they overcome the odds to create musical comedy and slamming EDM. Shelf is made up of Rachel WD and Ruby Clyde, also founders of The LOL Word. Musical Comedy Awards Finalists 2020; Funny Women Finalists 2020; as seen at Bestival and London Pride.

Artist: Brennan Reece (Work in Progress)
Title: Happy Sad
Date: 14 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/brennan-reece-happy-sad/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
Brennan Reece was crowned English Comedian of the Year (Udderbelly Festival 2015), received a Best Newcomer Award nomination for his debut show Everglow, and recent TV appearances include Live At The Apollo (BBC One) and Roast Battle (Comedy Central). Brennan’s latest show, Happy Sad, is a hilarious yet heart-breaking exploration of how the world can get you down, and the reasons you find to pick yourself back up again. And the reasons to stay alive.

Artist: Catherine Bohart (Work in Progress)
Date: 15 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/catherine-bohart-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
An hour of new material from the star of BBC2’s The Mash Report, Catherine Bohart. As seen and heard on Roast Battle, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Stand Up Sketch Show, Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier and The Guilty Feminist Podcast.  

United Agents present
Artist: Harriet Kemsley (Work in Progress)
Date: 15 September
Time: 9pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/harriet-kemsley-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
A new show from award-winning comedian, writer and actor Harriet Kemsley. A recurring guest on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Harriet recently created, wrote and starred in the reality sitcom Bobby and Harriet: Get Married (Viceland) with her husband Bobby Mair, to huge critical acclaim. Further TV appearances include Hypothetical, Guessable, Comedy Central at The Comedy Store, Pants on Fire and Roast Battle.

Artist: Heidi Regan (Work in Progress)
Date: 16 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/heidi-regan-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
With over a decade’s experience as a comedy writer, Heidi Regan has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the stand-up comedy ranks. Heidi smashed her 2018 debut with Heidi vs Sharks selling out both runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre, with extra dates added to both. Her eagerly awaited second show Heidi Kills Time was another smash hit among critics and audiences alike. Heidi is a regular guest on The Guilty Feminist podcast, and live tour, co-host of GrownUpLand podcast for BBC Radio 4 and creator and host of brand new Global podcast, A Thin Layer of Film.

Company: The Free Association
Title: The Nearly News Show
Date: 17 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/the-free-association-presents-the-nearly-news-show/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+
The Nearly News Show will bring comprehensive coverage and hilarious in-depth analysis of the real stories behind today’s headlines, as selected by the studio audience. This show is one of a series of hit improv shows presented by The Free Association at Battersea Arts Centre, every Friday in September.

United Agents present
Artist: Mamoun Elagab (Work in Progress)
Date: 19 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/mamoun-elagab-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
A work in progress hour from rising star of the circuit, Mamoun Elagab. “Chilled composure and a fascinating back-story… a comic who you’d like to hear more from” (Chortle). Mammon’s natural flair has made him a winner and finalist of numerous comedy competitions, including Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year and BBC New Comedy Awards 2018. As seen as part of the Pleasance Reserve, Edinburgh Fringe 2019.

Artist: Larry Dean (Work in Progress)
Date: 21 September
Time: 9pm
Space: Council Chamber
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/larry-dean-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Larry Dean is here to try out some brand-new jokes. As seen on BBC2’s Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week.  

Artist: Ivo Graham (Work in Progress)
Date: 22 September
Time: 9pm
Space: Council Chamber
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/ivo-graham-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+

Ivo Graham was previously nominated for Best Show at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019. As seen on Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Richard Osman’s House of Games, Roast Battle, Hypothetical, The Stand-Up Sketch Show, The Now Show and Fighting Talk.

Artist: Elf Lyons & Enemies
Date: 23 September
Time: 7pm
Space: Council Chamber
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/elf-lyons-enemies/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £18)
Running time: 2 hours including interval
Age guidance: 15+
Join Award-winning clown and comic Elf Lyons as she hosts a vibrant and vivacious night celebrating the talents of her nemeses. Each act will partake in a terrifying duel with Elf before they are allowed to exit the stage. Line-up will no doubt contain some of the most talented and villainous comedians and performers in the UK.

Company: The Free Association
Title: Minority Report
Date: 24 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/the-free-association-presents-minority-report/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+
Minority Report brings a group of exclusively BAME improvisers and a special guest comedian together for an hour of uproarious improv comedy. This show is one of a series of hit improv shows presented by The Free Association at Battersea Arts Centre, every Friday in September.

Company: The Free Association
Title: Starry Starry Eyes
Date: 24 September
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/the-free-association-presents-starry-starry-eyes/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+

Starry Starry Eyes gives singing talent shows a comedy makeover. With improvisers pretending to be contestants, pretending to be celebrities, singing songs no one has heard of. This show is one of a series of hit improv shows presented by The Free Association at Battersea Arts Centre, every Friday in September.

Artist: Fern Brady (Work in Progress)
Date: 25 September
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/fern-brady-work-in-progress/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr

Age guidance: 16+
Following a sold out tour across Europe and Australia in 2019 and her most recent BBC stand up special Power & Chaos, Fern Brady is writing her new show ahead of a nationwide tour in 2022. As seen on Live at the Apollo, Frankie Boyle's New World Order, Roast Battle, Russell Howard, Jonathan Ross' Comedy Club. As heard on BBC Sound's Wheel of Misfortune podcast, The News Quiz and The Now Show.

Artist: Ed Night (Work in Progress)

Date: 25 September
Time: 9pm

Space: The Courtyard

Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/ed-night-work-in-progress/

Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr

Age guidance: 16+
Ed Night is a prodigious talent and one the youngest stars of the UK comedy circuit. In 2017 he was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards' Best Newcomer. In 2018 and 2019 he sold out his entire Edinburgh run and then went on to host BBC Radio 1's Ed and Lauren.  Ed has also been seen on E4 and BBC3 and heard on BBC Radio 4 and BBC 5 Live, and has written for BBC’s The Mash Report, Mock The Week, Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz.

United Agents present
Artist: Bobby Mair (Work in Progress)

Date: 26 September
Time: 9pm

Space: Council Chamber

Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/bobby-mair-work-in-progress/

Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr

Age guidance: 16+
A new hilarious hour from London-based, Canadian stand-up comedian Bobby Mair. Host of ITV2's Killer Camp. As seen on 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Roast Battle (Comedy Central) and lots more. He’s opened for Doug Stanhope, Bill Burr and Bill Maher.   

United Agents present
Artist: Christopher Bliss (Work in Progress)
Title: Bonanza in Progress

Date: 28 September
Time: 7pm

Space: Council Chamber

Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/christopher-bliss-bonanza-in-progress/

Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr

Age guidance: 16+
Award-winning character comedian Rob Carter is back with his latest show featuring Christopher Bliss, the prolific yet delusional Shropshire-based novelist. Last seen in Dictionary Corner on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Artists: Funny Femmes Triple Bill (Work in Progress)

Date: 29 September
Time: 7pm

Space: Council Chamber

Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/funny-femmes-work-in-progress/

Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr

Three badass Funny Femmes  present you with a hilariously diverse triple bill of comedy. Featuring Charlie George (writer for Charlie Brooker’s Anti-Viral Wipe, Cunk & Other Humans and Death to 2020),  Alex Bertulis-Fernandes (2Northdown Semi-Finalist and writer for The Now Show) and  Sharlin  Jahan  (Second City Conservatory programme, as heard on BBC Essex Radio).  From being told women aren't funny, to it not being culturally accepted, these women defy expectations to bring you their uniquely hilarious view on the world. Proving you shouldn't think tokenistically about brown girls...because we're all uniquely brilliant, dangerous & stupid.  Each of these women have been advised not to do comedy and now, despite their better judgement - and their safety on the streets of London - are doing it.  

United Agents present
Artist:  (Work in Progress)
Date: 29 September
Time: 9pm
Space: Council Chamber
Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/laura-smyth-work-in-progress/

Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running Time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
Laura Smyth is a comedian and winner of The Funny Women Awards 2019. Her debut comedy hour explores all the advice she has ever been given and ignored, or attempted and forgotten. As seen on Jonathan Ross Comedy Club (ITV). “A Naturally Funny Woman” Jo Brand. "A force of nature.” Steve Bennett, Chortle. “Sounds like she has been doing it all her life.” Bruce Dessau. “Yes babe, you tell me what to say and then you can use it as quote.” Jayde Adams.

Artist: Josh Jones (Work in Progress)
Title: Waste of Space
Date: 30 September
Time: 7pm
Space: Council Chamber
Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/josh-jones-waste-of-space/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested Price £12)
Running Time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
Fast becoming everyone’s favourite Mancunian comedian, BBC New Comedy Award finalist Josh Jones has quickly made a name for himself as the cutest piece of arse on the comedy scene. With breakthrough appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats (E4), Jonathan Ross Comedy Club (ITV) and CelebAbility (ITV2), don’t miss Josh as he invites you in for an hour of laughs from Comedy’s hottest new property.

United Agents present
Artist: Lucy Pearman (Work in Progress)
Date: 30 September

Time: 9pm
Space: Council Chamber
Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/lucy-pearman-work-in-progress/

Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running Time: 1hr
Age guidance: 16+
A new hour of chaos from critically acclaimed actress, alternative comedian and writer Lucy Pearman. Expect a song, a costume, some props. Something will happen, it has to. She can be seen in the BAFTA nominated BBC series The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk, BBC2’s Mister Winner, the cult British Comedy series, Red Dwarf and Harry Hills Clubnite on Channel 4. A proud member of the Weirdos comedy collective, Lucy is an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee and was nominated for Best Show in the Leicester Comedy Awards.

Company: The Free Association
Title: Brand New Show
Date: 1 October
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/the-free-association-presents-brand-new-show/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 1hr
Age guidance: 14+

The Free Association presents a brand new improvised narrative comedy show, officially making its debut at Battersea Arts Centre in 2021.
 

Artist: Shaparak Khorsandi (Work in Progress)
Title: It Was The 90s!
Date: 3 October
Time: 7pm
Space: The Courtyard
Booking Link: bac.org.uk/whats-on/shaparak-khorsandi-it-was-the-90s/
Price: Pay What You Can (Suggested price £12)
Running time: 60-70mins
Age guidance: 14+
Ah, the 90s! The decade that Shaparak Khorsandi was in her twenties and 'ladette' culture ruled the school. The decade when there was nothing to be done but party, and Shaparak found herself flying about London with hope in her heart, a tenner in her pocket and spare knickers in her handbag. In those days, 'mindfulness' was making sure you had enough money for the night bus and 'self-care' was putting your flat shoes in a handbag. This work-in-progress is about how we 90s kids are looking to young people to learn how to take care of ourselves.