Laughing Stock

One of the latest additions on offer at Nozstock: The Hidden Valley, the comedy has gone down a storm with our crowds in the past couple of years. You’ll be provided with round-the-clock giggles and guffaws, with some of the funniest new acts breaking onto the comedy scene as well as more renowned comedians getting the opportunity to crowd-surf their way through the remainder of the festival.

Laughing Stock hosts a mixture of Edinburgh previews, musical artistry, workshops for those budding comedians and good old fashioned wit with the likes of Craig Campbell, Pat Gallagher, Anna Keirle, Janice Connolly (a.k.a. Barbara Nice & Mary from Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights) and Henning Wehn all cutting their comedic teeth here at Nozstock. Last year saw Russell Howard & Phill Jupitus doing a star turn.

IN 2011 THE FOLLOWING ACTS WOWED AT NOZSTOCK:

FRIDAY

Abandoman

Winners of both Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2010 and The Musical Comedy Awards 2010, Abandoman create hilarious musical sketches at lightning speed live in front of their audience. No two gigs are ever the same. The project sees frontman Rob and multi-instrumentalist James Hancox reinventing hip hop in a way that appeals all age groups.

Ahir Shah

This young lively comedian has already racked up a host of finalist award positions in the Hackney Empire and in Edinburgh. Ahir performed in Edinburgh aged just 17. Expect Intelligent and sometimes political humour from this new and fresh adition to British comedy. Described by Chortle as ”fizzing with intelligence and energy” come and see this comic prodigy at the start of his promising career.

MC: Ed Gamble

A regular performer at the Edinburgh Fringe, this British Stand up has recently performed on Russell Howard’s Good News. His most recent work over the last five years has been with fellow comic Ray Peacock where they have compiled over 100 episodes for Peacock and Gamble.

John Kairns

The Actor, writer and stand up is well known for his comical rants and articulate performances, a comic who certainly doesn’t take life seriously.

Matt Winning

Recently winning the Chortle Student Comedy Award 2010, this young comic looks set for a promising career, come and watch a potential future big hit!

Davey Connor

On the road and making people laugh since 2008, Davey is well liked for having a laid back and confident comedy style. Performing at the fringe last year at the comedy zone and currently working on BBC Sketch projects, this is one performance we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

Liam Williams

This mixed bag comic will joke about a spectrum of topics. Quite often observational humour and past experiences mixed with various  impressions, expect a witty and intelligent performance from the Cambridge Graduate.

SATURDAY

Phil Kay

With beautiful interwoven strands of colourful, natural material, slightly twisted for extra strength and a rough warmth, like tweed, Phil’s show will be a fun mix of up to the minute topical stories from his life, and zingy one-liners, surreal phil-osophy and silly epic songs made up about YOU the crowd. Phil is in his element in this, his natural environment of the summer festival… Too good to miss.

The Stephen Frost Impro All Stars

Stephen Frost trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and is well known on the comedy circuit for his work with ‘The Comedy Store Players’ and his appearances on ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ Approachable and hugely funny, he will lead his All Stars through a hilarious comedic workout and they’ll be bringing you with them…

MC: Naz Osmanoglu

Hailed as having fantastic energy and enthusiasm for all the topics he talks about don’t miss this witty performance.

Ben Hustwayte

Another young comedian who is at the start of a promising career. Ben has only been on the circuit since 2010, and has quickly been a hit with his observational and humour from experiences.  In July 2010 he reached the final of the ‘You Must be Joking’ New Act final.

Andy Niner

Described by Gary Delayney as “a dark comic genius, always a pleasure to watch”

Chris Turner

This new on the scene Oxford graduate delivers intelligent humour in his shows, reaching the finals of the BBC New Comedy Award 2011 one to watch this year!

Nish Kumar

Carl Hutchinson

With a string of awards and nominations, the comic from the north east is an active performer all over the country

Joe Davies

Local boy done good Joe returns to delight the Nozstock masses with his witty comic style.

SUNDAY

Rob Rouse

Since winning Channel Four’s prestigious ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ competition at the Edinburgh Festival in 1998, Rouse has been a regular performer at major venues on both the London and National circuit. Known for his hyperactive brand of humour, The Independent has touted that Rouse’s “cartoon face and cheeky banter allow him to get away with murder”.

MC: Dan Thomas

In a quote from Time Out 2005 “Dan Thomas stripped off to underpants, giving the rest of his clothes to a woman in the front row who’d complained of feeling cold. Then he performed an ABBA medley about the Israeli/Arab conflict.” be sure not to miss Dan as his performances can lead to anything.

James Mullinger

Gigging since 2005 James has previously performed alongside Jimmy Carr at The Comedy Store, described as an ”autobiographical stand-up comic with a penchant for some dark material”

Tony Dunn

Most recently winning the comedy King Gong March 2010 the comedy Tony has been on the circuit for a few years now catch the broadcaster and stand up this year in the Laughing Stock!

Jared Hardy

Up and coming Jared is soon to get his lucky break in the major comedy spotlight, see his style for yourself this year!

Henry Widdicombe

The South Wales comedian has been performing since 2008. Described by fellow welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert as ”“A wonderful eye for detail and a subtlety of creative expression that is joyous”