Roger Monkhouse is one of the most original and distinctive acts on the comedy scene. A consummate stand-up who employs a deadly combination of charm and menace to exert a masterful control over any audience. A highly original and quirky performer, Roger's trademark stage-prowling style and curious, inimitable manner have established him as one of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Distinguished as a comic by his eloquence and keen eye for a fine phrase, Roger's easy observational style is spiked by the signal flares of an accomplished gag writer. A supremely confident compere and seasoned corporate host, Roger is happy to improvise freely with a crowd and is at great ease bantering with an audience, but has no shortage of first class observational material in his armoury.
As one of the most sought after acts on the comedy circuit, Roger headlines at all the major comedy venues and has performed extensively throughout the United Kingdom and Internationally, most recently performing in Belgium, The Netherlands, South Africa, China, Singapore, Tokyo and the Middle East. He has also featured on major national tours of the UK sponsored by Hooch and J2O.
Recent television credits include 'The Comedy Store' and ‘The World Stands Up’, (both Paramount), ‘My God I’m My Dad’ (Bravo) and ‘Street Cred Sudoku’ (UKG2). He is one of the regular writers on Channel 4’s hugely popular comedy panel show ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ - responsible for scripting up-to-theminute topical gags every week for the show which features Jimmy Carr alongside team captains Dave Spikey and Sean Lock. On the airwaves, he was recently a guest panellist on comedy panel show ‘Jest A Minute’ (BBC Radio Wales) as well as contributing to review show ‘Serious About Comedy’ (BBC7).
A fine topical writer and performer, and master of sharp observational comedy, Roger is a regular member of the prestigious and critically acclaimed 'Cutting Edge' team at the London Comedy Store.
He also performed with the Manchester based topical and satirical team 'MEN at Work' at the Manchester Comedy Store. His forte is delivering intelligent, thought provoking material that pulls no punches and is always incisive, relevant and up to date. Articulate, quick witted and spontaneous, if something's in the news, Roger has a routine about it. Roger's distinctive voice and sharp enunciation make him particularly suited to voice over work. Raised in Kingston upon Thames, he retains his Estuary drawl and remains untainted by a South Yorkshire accent despite a decade of living in Sheffield.
Roger is a prolific writer and is currently working on several original ideas for TV and Radio.
"His laconic delivery shields an engaging persona and an enquiring mind"
The Guardian
"Packs in more observations on the human condition in a twenty minute set than a whole lecture on Jean-Paul Sartre"
Venue Magazine
"An enthusiasm akin to that of an excitable professor who's just found the gene that would enable a python to grow a beard"
Manchester Evening News
“Some of the material’s saucy – and uncompromisingly so – other parts are passionate and polemic. He’s sometimes topical, sometimes punny. Sometimes clever, sometimes daft. There is, in short, something in this varied comedy menu for every taste…a gifted natural… one of the consummate professionals of the stand-up circuit”
Chortle
Rob Beckett started performing stand-up in 2009 and quickly enjoyed success in all of the new comedian competitions winning 4 competitions in his first year. Consistently impressive performances in these competitions, culminated in Rob finishing as a runner up in So You Think You're Funny and winning the Amused Moose Laugh Off at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2010 which earned him an invite to perform at Comedy festivals in Australia.
South East London born Rob is now regularly gigging at some of the best comedy clubs in the UK. His unique observations, unusual take on life and tales of growing up in a large south London family continue to win over audiences all over the country.
Awards & Competitions:
Amused Moose Laugh Off 2010 - Winner
So You Think You're Funny 2010 - Runner Up
Bath Comedy Festival New Act of the Year 2010 - 2nd place
Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2010 - Finalist
Leicester Square Theatre New Act of the Year 2009 - Winner
Reading Comedy Festival New Act of the Year 2009 - Winner
Outside the Box New Act of the Year 2010 - Winner
Laughing Horse New Act of Year 2010 - Semi Finalist
Beckett had youthful energy in spades and a distinctive but uncontrived look with his white blond hair and megawatt smile...
"Alluring mix of well-made observations, imaginative metaphors and a stylish take on his supposed doppelgangers...whip-sharp writing."
Chortle
"A very funny young man, very funny."
Stephen K Amos
"A likeable high tempo comic."
The Guardian
• Chortle Best Newcomer, 2008
• Finalist, Hackney Empire New Act of the Year, 2007
• Finalist, So You Think You're Funny 2006
• Finalist, Amused Moose Competition 2006
• Finalist, Funny Women, 2006
Holly Walsh has been performing stand up comedy since February 2006
Commissioned writer / performer for Radio 4, Radio 2, Channel 4, BBC3, BBC4, CBBC and Current TV.
"She's certainly more than capable of writing a decent gag"
Chortle