Fiona Ridgewell & Friends

Top comedian Fiona Ridgewell introduces her favourite acts to Faversham! Fiona was a finalist in Funny Women 2020 and in February of last year her show Contender was nominated for best debut show at Leicester Comedy Festival.

"Fiona Ridgewell has funny bones and an easy warmth on stage" – Julia Chamberlain.

"Fiona has a direct cheeky sense of humour" – Steve Bennett, Chortle.

Laura Smyth is making waves on the comedy scene - this working-class East Londoner won the Funny Women Awards in 2019 only 7 months after her first ever stand-up gig. Steve Bennett described her as "a real force-of-nature" and he wasn’t wrong.

Laura made her comedy TV debut on Jonathon Ross's Comedy Club for ITV last autumn, since then she has appeared on Yesterday, Tomorrow and The Day Before for Comedy Central UK and As Yet Untitled for Dave. Laura performed at Latitude festival this July and did her first hour work in progress show at Leicester Comedy Festival in February over Zoom. 

"Laura Smyth has only been doing comedy for a few months but sounds as if she has been doing it all her life"  – Bruce Dessau, Beyond the Joke.

John Meagher  was a finalist in the Hackney Empire New Act of The Year and Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year awards, and was nominated for the illustrious BBC New Comedy Award and Irish Comedian of the Year.

John leaves audiences in stitches with his upbeat storytelling with big punchlines earning him comparisons to comedians such as Billy Connolly, Dave Allen, and Tommy Tiernan. His appearances include BBC, BBC Radio 4extra, TV3 Ireland, and hosting stints on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle London.

"Great timing, great presence and punchlines. A much needed fresh comic voice from Northern Ireland at a time when we most need to hear it" - Jarlath Regan, An Irishman Abroad podcast.

"Hilarious. Sharp. Poetic" – Leicester Square Theatre, London.

"…grabbed the gig by the scruff of its neck with a loud, fast and punchy delivery" – Steve Bennett, Chortle.

"A compact, confident, powerful storyteller with a keen comic eye"  – Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard.

Celya Ab is one of the most unique emerging talents on the UK circuit. Originally from Paris, Celya now resides on the sunny side of Birmingham and has been making a huge impression on the UK comedy scene despite only starting her career in 2017. Able to perform in French and English, Celya's writing is sharp and her stage presence likeable and warm.

Celya has recently been awarded the Birmingham Breaking Talent Award 2019 as part of the Birmingham Comedy Festival and was a Finalist for the National Funny Women Awards competition. As seen/heard on Union Jack Radio, BBC WM, Brum Radio , and Birmingham TV.

"Sharp and annoyingly observant gags" – Joe Lycett.

"Both classy and funny. A thoroughly engaging presence and very promising writer who seems to know her place in the world. Strong stuff." - Steve Bennett, Chortle.

"A strong end to the night" – Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke.

Julian Deane is a talented stand-up comedian and has been wowing audiences across the country with his genius punch lines and perfect delivery. He has performed on The Russell Howard Hour (SKY) and supported Paul Chowdhry on his mammoth nationwide tour Live Innit, which included a sold out Wembley arena date.

His witty writing skills have also been put to use on Unspun with Matt Forde (Dave), Mock the Week (BBC 2), Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC2) and Morgan Spurlock’s New Britannia (SKY Atlantic). Julian and fellow comedian Carl Donnelly host the podcast Two Vegan Idiots.

"Deliciously twisted. a stream of seriously good gags. quick, sharply written and endlessly repeatable lines" – The Guardian.
"Assured and brilliant. Deane is a class apart. A master of hilarious twists and turns" – Chortle.