Highlights
We’ve got a special visitor this weekend, bringing her new work-in-progress hour AND headlining our Saturday Spotlight: Kate Cheka! Based in London, this British act got her start in the Berlin comedy scene, and has performed all over the world. Last year, she won the very competitive Funny Women stage award, which basically means she’s the funniest woman in Europe. You can check out her WIP, “A Messiah Comes”, on Friday at 6:30pm, catch her doing her club set at the Spotlight on Saturday at 8pm, AND see her as a guest judge on Lolyamorous on Saturday at 10pm. Here’s what some other people have to say about Kate:
‘You’ll be fine’ – Stewart Lee
‘She’s a smart operator, but wears it lightly, mixing opinionated stand-up with frank and relatable “what was I thinking?”-type personal anecdotes, all delivered with poise’ – Steve Bennett, Chortle
‘A confident set filled with surprising gags and to her ability to put a clever, unexpected twist on newsworthy topics… Kate is a multi-talented comic, with plenty up her sleeve and a lot more to share’ – Zoe Paskett, Funny Women Review
Opening the Spotlight will be NYC-based science comedian Ben Miller, who is also bringing us his solo hour on Saturday at 6:30pm. Whether you’re a scientist who likes to laugh, a nerd looking for smart jokes, or just a comedy fan looking for something a little different than the standard comedy fare, Stand Up Science will have something for everyone! His jokes are sharp and self-deprecating, and he was once called “one of NYC’s best pound-for-pound joke writers” which isn’t saying much considering how little he weighs. This show had a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, so come see what all the fuss is about!
Schedule
Monday, May 20
8pm – Funky Chunky Mic
10pm – Shitty Mic
Tuesday, May 21
8pm – Sadness Cabaret
10pm – Fat Goose
Wednesday, May 22
7:30pm – Watch This Space improv jam
9pm – Midweek Crisis
Thursday, May 23
8pm – TAB improv comedy
10pm – James Regal: People Pleaser (WIP)
Friday, May 24
6:30pm – Kate Cheka: A Messiah Comes (WIP)
8pm – The Offenders
10pm – Friday Night Live
Saturday, May 25
5pm – Show Up Go Up
6:30pm – Ben Miller: Stand Up Science
8pm – Saturday Spotlight: Kate Cheka
10pm – Lolyamorous
Sunday, May 26
3pm – Free Improv Workshop
8pm – Cobbler & Co
10pm – Nonsense Pudding
Special Shows This Week
🔦 Our Spotlight headliner is visiting us again from London, it’s Kate Cheka! Kate Cheka is a stand-up comedian and artist who has performed in eight different countries across four continents. She began in Berlin where she organized and hosted two shows, a femme identifying open mic and a women of color showcase. She won the 2023 Funny Women Awards, was a BBC New Comedy Awards regional finalist 2022 and Funny Women semi-finalist and One to Watch 2022. Other accolades include Berlin New Stand-up Award finalist 2019 and BBC Radio 4 Introducing New Comedy Award 2019 nominee. Described as having ‘stylish comedy delivered with a great blend of joy and disdain’ she makes comedy to spite someone who once said ‘I thought you were more fun’. We’re so happy to have her back (and doing her WIP hour as well this weekend) with support from NYC visiting comedian Ben Miller, and local rising star Aurelio Lova, with host Jamie Lerner.
🎩 It’s time for another edition of our alternative comedy showcase, Sadness Cabaret, hosted by the wonderfully wacky Andy Casper and Mila Kopaeva. This variety show includes different acts like sketch, characters, clowning, music, improv, and anything else that makes you giggle but isn’t quite your standard stand up or improv comedy show. Since this show is a bit hard to explain if you haven’t seen it, we only charge 2 euros to reserve your ticket. If you like the show and see how much hard work went into putting it all together, the performers accept donations at the end. So come and see something you don’t expect at the Sadness Cabaret!
🙏 In his first ever solo hour, James Regal takes you on a journey through a life spent avoiding confrontation and social awkwardness – no matter the cost. From misunderstandings with Spanish doctors, to navigating the correct etiquette in a sex club, People Pleaser, combines some of James’ tried and tested club sets with previously unheard material. James Regal is one of the top regular comedians in Barcelona’s exploding English comedy scene, frequently headlining and hosting shows around the city and across Europe. He is also the producer of Roast Battle Barcelona and the interactive dating show, LOLyamorous. Check it out if you want to support one of our local favorites as he prepares for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
😇 If you want to see more from this weekend’s Saturday Spotlight headliner, Kate Cheka is bringing us her first hour work-in-progress where she unpacks her tendency toward savourism. Where does this messiah complex come from? That would’ve been a better title for the show but another (!!) comedian got there first so maybe it is also a bit about problematic predators in comedy and the burnout that comes trying to fix it and also my mother who has admitted to thinking she had and I quote ”birthed the messiah”. A show for anyone who is anxious about the state of the world and wonders what to do about it. While the birth of a man who thinks he’s god is not all that unusual behold here is a woman who thinks so too. Don’t miss the chance to see this work-in-progress show from an award-winning comedian heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer.
🥼 Calling all nerds: come see Stand Up Science, a show that’s equal measures hilarious, educational, and deeply personal. Scientist turned stand-up comedian Ben Miller takes you on a journey that explores everything from chairs to the thermodynamics with wit and humor that makes these topics both approachable and delightful. And you probably like that sort of thing, nerd. Come see this show after its completely sold-out run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
💘 Lolyamorous is back this weekend with more opportunities to fall in love while laughing in good company. It’s part speed dating, and part panel show, where audience members get the chance to go on 2-minute dates on stage, then get interviewed by comedians and a sex/relationship expert. It’s an open space for all genders and sexualities, and participation is not required! Hosted by James Regal, with guest host Kate Cheka, and expert Willow Star.
🍮 Want more alt comedy this week? Then check out our alternative comedy open mic, Nonsense Pudding. This show is for any sort of performance that can’t be classified as stand up or improv, and the performers will be trying out new characters, testing out new sketches, and seeing what kind of brand new nonsense they can cook up! Hosted by Andy Casper and Jamie Lerner.