Get ready to laugh your stockings off! This Christmas, Barnstormers Comedy Night is bringing you a sleigh-load of laughter with our Christmas Comedy Special. It's the perfect way to warm up those frosty winter nights with some festive chuckles and ho-ho-ho hilarity! The perfect excuse to escape the chaos of Christmas shopping and enjoy a night of joy and merriment.
Michael Akadiri
Michael’s natural charm and cheeky, observational style has already seen him make an impact on the UK comedy scene. He’s the inaugural winner of the Komedia New Comedy Award and starred in the London finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2021 (BBC Three).
Michael’s burgeoning TV Career has seen him feature on the latest series Comedy Central LIVE (Comedy Central), The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2) and the aforementioned BBC Comedy Awards (BBC Three). He has collaborated with Channel 4, appearing in their Jokes Only series on their Facebook & TikTok channels. Michael has also written and performed original sketch content in partnership with LadBible UK.
His radio credits include the Capital Xtra’s Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends, BBC Radio 4 Extra’s Comedy Club and stand-up on Radio 4’s Fred at the Stand.
As well as performing comedy, Michael works as a junior doctor in the NHS and is currently on a sabbatical from his surgical training. His medical background means he’s also in demand as a health commentator, appearing both on TV (BBC Two’s Newsnight) & Radio (Times Radio).
Michael’s 2022 Edinburgh Fringe debut was success, with his show ‘No Scrubs’ selling out the run and culminated in a nomination for NextUp’s Biggest Award in Comedy. The subsequent UK tour in early 2023 was a hit and the critically acclaimed show is now available to view as a special on Michael’s YouTube channel.
Michael can be seen live, performing at the top comedy clubs in the country not limited to the Comedy Store, Glee Club and Komedia. He’s also a well sought after corporate act, whether performing or hosting and his previous clients include Apple UK, Spotify UK & NHS England.
Michael is currently preparing for his sophomore tour in 2024 and has other exciting projects in development.
Hugely entertaining, Charismatic headliner, Sharp-witted everyman
Chortle
Politically punchy
Guardian
Supremely talented and likeable
Metro
Meryl O'Rourke
Acclaimed stand-up comic and TV writer Meryl O’Rourke –revels in her bitterness. She has delighted comedy audiences, written some of the best gags on telly and even hosted pop concerts (last one to 12,000 people!) She’s a regular support for Frankie Boyle, including upcoming in London July ‘22. She’s supported him since 2010 at the Hammersmith Apollo.
Meryl is also a trained actress and got to call Frankie an “arsehole” in his Channel 4 series Tramadol Nights. Meryl's cheeky routines of dysfunctionality get her choice gigs. These include Just The Tonic, Banana, Frog & Bucket and Last Laugh… among many others. She performs 20-60 min sets and MCs.
She won the Betty and Peter/Big Talk writing prize, where she has been gifted a chunk of money to help her write a sitcom with a production company. She was chosen by unanimous decision from 650 entrants. “Has an authentic, compelling, original voice” Denise Hicks, founder LOCO comedy festival“ Best and most original pages I’ve read in years. I’m a massive fan” Dhiraj Mahey, producer and founder of Betty And Peter prize. She is a Sony nominated radio broadcaster, appearing as a reviewer on Radio 4 Front Row. She wrote/performed and edited a comedy series for Woman’s Hour.
A unique perspective: sharp and dark, and refreshingly unsentimental
Stephanie Merritt, Observer
As near perfect as you can find.
British Comedy Guide
Truly astonishing show…a must see
The New Current
Dave Fulton
Started making a living doing stand-up comedy stateside back when there was only clubs and Letterman. Never envisioned it would lead to living in London England and to have done shows in 25 different countries including Australia to Kazakhstan to Helsinki to Tokyo to Hong Kong and even Mumbai India but through all that I still find time to do the occasional show back in America. Not satisfied with just stand-up and a bit of acting there’s also the series of dark comedy short films written and directed by me soon to be available on Amazon and iTunes. Television credits include numerous appearances of Live at The Comedy Store in London, Live at Jongleurs, Comedy Train International at Toomler in Amsterdam, Raymond Is Laat in Rotterdam, The World Stands Up, The World Comedy Tour filmed in Melbourne, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and They Think It’s All Over on the BBC, Brain Candy a Baby Cow Production as well as being asked as to express his views as a frequent guest on various BBC news programs both on television and on radio. Acting credits include the character ‘Glenn’ in the horror film Blood Mood and ‘Vinny’ in the UK Comedy Central 8 part sitcom I Live With Models. When nothing else is going on I’m building motorcycles, climbing frozen waterfalls and looking after my son.
Nothing escaped his sardonic humor.
The Union
It’s only comics with something to say that cross the Atlantic
The Guardian
Fulton is left as a sole crusader for US topical comedy
The List
Your Host, Kevin Precious
Kevin Precious has been a full time stand-up comedian since the mid-noughties. He has performed variously at most of the top clubs in the country including full weekends for The Glee, The Stand, The Frog and Bucket Manchester, The Last Laugh Sheffield and The Comedy Lounge Hull; as well as appearing at renowned London gigs such as The Banana Cabaret, The Covent Garden Comedy Club and Downstairs at The Kings Head. More recently, he has gigged for The Comedy Store on the Road.
His comedy travels have also taken him to further flung destinations including Amsterdam, Maastricht, Budapest, Bucharest, Dublin and Ibiza.
Kevin’s stage charisma and poise set him head and shoulders above the previous acts
The Times
Kevin Precious hosted the proceedings, working the audience with skill, and peppering his patter with local references
The Argus- Brighton & Hove Albion
Instantly recognisable stage presence and boundless wit
Leicester Mercury Comedy Festival
Event: Friday 19 December, 8pm
Bar Opens: 7pm
Tickets: £12.50 Advance £14 On The Door
