Another month, another Blizzard Comedy line-up of incredible performers converging on Gulliver’s in the Northern Quarter. We’re pumped for this show and we would love to see your face there!

Come along and see…

Headline act
Tom Mayhew
Tom Mayhew is a critically acclaimed comedian, whose material about being working-class – mixing the personal, the silly and the political, with the punchline-rate of a one-liner comic – sets him apart from any other act on the circuit. His 2019 Edinburgh show I, Tom Mayhew, about being someone in their 20s living on benefits in austerity Britain, received 4 and 5 star reviews across the board, and transferred to a sell-out Soho Theatre run.
He adapted this show for his own radio series – Tom Mayhew is Benefit Scum – which aired on BBC Radio 4 in March 2021. It was also critically acclaimed, somehow receiving 4 stars in The Daily Mail! The show returned for a 2nd series in 2022.

“Mayhew is passionate, articulate and – above all else – hilarious. His jokes are punchy, sharp and forthcoming. Despite the often weighty subject matter, laughs are never too far apart. Mayhew’s comedic voice should be heard, even if you don’t want to hear it.” ★★★★ – The Skinny
“Quite simply an absolute gem of a performance.” ★★★★★ – Edit
“This is political comedy from a fresh and necessary perspective” ★★★★ – The Wee Review
“Tory-Hating Leftie” ★★★★ – The Daily Mail

With support from
Bella Humphries
Bella is a comedian, actor and dungaree wearer. She “oozes charm in a cheeky sort of way” (Blizzard Comedy) as she recounts tales of moving to Wales and asking the age old question… who exactly am I? As heard on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds. Bella has supported Kiri Pritchard-McLean on tour and is a rising star on the comedy circuit.

Stuart Dunlop
Part comedian, part improviser, and described as “like a British Steve Buscemi”, Stuart Dunlop started his comedy career on the Berlin improv scene. In addition to successful stand-up across the North of England, he is also a co-host of “The Alternative Cobra Meeting Comedy Quiz” and “Forbidden Playroom”, and the creator/writer of the surreal podcast “Kio & Maxi’s Adventures in Everything”.

“Clever and well-composed, Stuart will have you laughing all the way through his set, and then again later when you get the jokes you missed.” – Yellow Arch Comedy Club

Dan Webber
Dan Webber (he/him) is an award-winning LGBTQ+ poet and producer based in Derby. He has appeared at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Reading Fringe Festival and as part of the 25th Birthday Celebrations for Leicester Comedy Festival. His first collection ‘Genre Fluid’ was published by Big White Shed in June 2019, a show of the same name was named Best Solo Show at Morecambe Digital Fringe in August 2020.
Commissions include ‘The Derby Witness’ a poetry and street art project for Derby Feste, ‘Whispers From The Woods’, a poetry and nature trail produced with Arts Melbourne for The National Forest, ‘15st 9lbs at time of writing’ for SHOUT Festival, Birmingham, ‘Genre Fluid: Quarantine Edition’ for Coventry Pride, and ‘322 Ways of Escape’ as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations for The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent.
In September 2021, Dan supported Cheryl Hole as part of The University of Derby Freshers week and in February 2022 ‘Genre Fluid’ and ‘The Derby Witness’ were accepted into The National Poetry Library. In July 2022, Dan competed in the Loud Poets Edinburgh Fringe Slam at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. In September 2022 Dan appeared alongside Barbara Nice as part of the Derby CAN ‘Over To You’ season.
In 2023, Dan judged the Derby Book Festival Flash Fiction Writing Competition.

“When faced with material as witty, earnest, and well-observed as this, the last thing that should concern us is which box it goes in.” – Out In Print
“His words are a ride, gliding through intimate storytelling before surging into an eddy of intricate rhymes designed to trip your mind” – Marbles Magazine

and Mark Nicholas
Mark Nicholas is an Autistic Comedian who takes the stereotypes of his neurodiversity and turn them on their head.
Winner Of The King Gong Comedy Store Comp, Mark has also played at some amazing Clubs like Glee and Backyard Comedy as well as becoming A West End New Act Of The Year Semi Finalist.
Very recently Mark hosted a Disability and Inclusion Panel for ITV-Able at The Television Centre in White City.
Mark also runs an award winning disability and mental health comedy night called Laugh-Able which has seen incredible headliners perform there such as Rosie Jones, John Robertson and Robin Ince.
Mark has just come back from a recent Edinburgh Fringe run which involved co hosting a Disability Compilation Show with Benny Shakes called Disabled Cants. This Won the “Disabled Champions” Award from Neurodiverse Review.

“Autistic Dave Grohl” – Sam Rhodes Comedy Explosion
“From Newcomer to Up and Coming in the fastest time yet” – Gary Michaels, Stand Up Pro Nights
“Instantly Likeable” – Kyle Wallace, G&B Comedy Night
“Mark isn’t just a hilarious comedian, he’s also a really nice guy to work with. I’d happily book Mark on any of my shows, he’s a safe pair of hands and I know I can slot him in to open/close depending on what the night needs. 100% recommend, book him!” – Craig Smalls, Sunday Schtick
“An autistic comedian that always brings his a-game. Mark uses his innate likeability to deliver dark humour alongside killer lines. He keeps the audience enthralled, though leaves them uncertain whether they’re going to burst out laughing or recoil in shock. Mark’s a great addition to any comedy night and a must-watch up-and-comer” – Late Stage Comedy
“Mark is one of the most exciting new acts on the circuit. See him before he becomes famous” – Joe Wells
“Impressively Skilled” – The Scotsman

with guest host Ben Hodge
Ben Hodge is quickly becoming seen as one of the most exciting new acts on the circuit. His unique outlook as a trans man has seen him earn the title of Liverpool’s Top 30 under 30. Since his debut in November 2018 his comedy has been lit up with positive reviews. Ben has also been in high demand at pride events and LGBT+ focused events along with trial spots for Plane Comedy, CAN Comedy, Trapdoor and Quantum Leopard in London. Ben took his work-in-progress stand-up show to Edinburgh Fringe, It’s a Boy?, which gained a lot of hype for his humorous approach to being trans in today’s society

Mentions:
British Comedy Guide: The Edinburgh Fringe Gets Classy
BroadwayWorld: Pick of the Programme- Work in Progress
To Do List London: 50 Unmissable Shows at the Edinburgh Fringe

“Relatable, even if his experiences are unusual” – Chortle
“Ben is such an exciting act. Tonnes of charm and stage presence all topped off with killer jokes.” – Kiri Pritchard-Mclean
“Relatable and likeable and infinitely self aware”- Blizzard Comedy

As always, this show is free to book, with a pay-what-you-want option on the door by either cash or card.