Good Ship Comedy presents Andrew O'Neill

ANDREW O'NEILL

Andrew is one of the most varied and genuinely alternative acts on the circuit. He’s a metalhead, an amateur occultist and a musician. He’s been a returning guest on ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ and appeared in ‘Saxondale’ with Steve Coogan. You’ll also have heard him all over your wireless, including offering objects for display at John Lloyd’s ‘Museum of Curiosity’ on Radio 4, as well as on BBC Radio 1, Radio 4 Extra, and 5live. But live is where the hidden mind-control signals planted in his work are most effective.

He’s a bit of a regular on the comedy stages at Download, Sonisphere, Bloodstock, Leeds and Reading festivals and has opened for Amanda Palmer off of the Dresden Dolls, done audience warm-up for Never Mind the Buzzcocks, hosted the Metal Hammer Golden Gods, played at Torture Garden and the Bizarre Magazine Ball and load of other events where people mainly wear shiny things.

He is author of the book A History Of Heavy Metal, described by living legend Alan Moore as

"a comprehensive landmark analysis of an enormous area of music that has been too long without such a thing, and has the massive advantage of the funny being turned up to twelve. A loud and thoroughly engrossing love-story."

He is a founder member of the Victorian-obsessed punk band The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, whose distinctive anachro-punk gained a cult following and besmirched the stages of music festivals worldwide.

“An increasingly distinctive, imaginative act… brilliant, genuinely unexpected lines are added to the mix. At this rate, it won’t be long until he’s huge.” Chortle

“He’s got a natural optimism and love of silliness that leaves you feeling remarkably positive… a winning blend of polemic and off-beat whimsy.” The Guardian

CHLOE PETTS

Chloe Petts’ “inexhaustibly funny mind” (Diva Magazine) and “compelling presence” (Chortle) has established her as one of the most exciting new acts on the circuit.

Chloe is an alumna of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve, has been shortlisted for the BBC Comedy Award, was a finalist in the most recent Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Awards and came runner-up in the Funny Women Awards 2017.  She has also appeared on Channel 4’s Random Acts and BBC 3 Quickies.

She is a co-founder of The Lol Word, a queer comedy collective that hosts sell-out monthly London nights, boasting the finest female and non-binary queer acts on the circuit. Their most recent Edinburgh run was a sell-out. It won't be long before Chloe's solo shows follow suit.

JIM CAMPBELL

Jim is a stand up, writer and actor. His 2 solo hours at Edinburgh played to sold out houses and critical acclaim and his debut was named one of the Top 10 EdFringe shows in the Amused Moose/2Entertain Laughter Awards. Jim has written for ESPN and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC3) and his podcast, The Football Ramble has won 7 awards, has over 80,000 listeners and recently packed fans into venues up and down the country on their inaugural tour.

“Exquisitely written, punchline-driven material without cliché. It’s hard to imagine a subject he couldn’t come up with an original and literate joke about.” Chortle

RAY BADRAN

Ray Badran is a stand-up comedian and writer. Originally from Sydney, Ray has performed in England, Wales, Scotland, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, America, Hong Kong, New Zealand and across Australia. Ray has written comedy for various TV shows, comedians, advertising agencies, theatre, radio, and more.

Widely considered to be one of the rising stars in Australian comedy, Ray has performed two solo shows, Raised and Confused (2015) and Junior (2016) at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. He has also performed shows as part of the Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and New Zealand comedy festivals. He has appeared on the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala twice, in 2014 and 2017.

In 2017, he created the Comedy Central Australia/NZ TV show No Experience Necessary and the ABC Comedy Podcast Positions Vacant (Top 5 comedy podcasts in Australia, Top 20 Podcasts in Australia).  He also was awarded ‘Best International Guest Comedian’ by the New Zealand Comedy Guild.

CAM SPENCE

"Supremely talented and smart." The Telegraph

AND YOUR RESIDENT HOST:

BEN VAN DER VELDE

Freshly returned from the Edinburgh Festival, Ben is ready to take the helm at Good Ship once more and steer it through the vast ocean of comedy we have on offer.  One of the quickest wits around and a much-loved compere, he always brings a jam-packed back of nonsense, silliness and wisecracks to every gig he hosts.

"Sharp and crafty gagsmith, a life-giving compere." Chortle

"Wonderfully improvised riffs showcasing his impressive spontaneity and sharp tongue." Edinburgh Festivals Magazine

“The perfect comedy club host – he is a master of audience interaction. The audience weren’t just warmed up, but pretty hysterical even before the first act of the night hit the stage.”  Huffington Post