Good Ship Comedy returns with a MYSTERY GUEST SUPERSTAR!

MYSTERY SUPERSTAR HEADLINER

One of the biggest comedy stars of the past five years is joining us to kick off a cracking summer of comedy. Expect a thick slice of artful, camp, hilarious and perfectly tailored stand-up from a household name that has filled the Palladium, appeared on Just A Minute and knows a thing or two about cake.

"Absolutely is a riotous rollercoaster ride." Evening Standard

"A neatly judged mix of realism and ripe exaggeration delivered at a frantically camp pace." The Times

"Quick-witted master of the nonstop rant." The Guardian

ATHENA KUGBLENU

Bold, fresh and always bang on point, over the past couple of years Athena has grown into a formidable comedian. Garnering critical acclaim for her first two shows while still somewhat of a newcomer to the industry, Athena has been busy working with the BBC on TV and Radio, as a performer, panellist and writer for shows such as Mock the Week, Breaking the News, Loose Ends and Horrible Histories, as well as becoming a Mum twice over and branching out into podcasting in the last couple of years. She has also supported Daliso Chaponda, Nish Kumar, and Fern Brady on tour, as well as appearing at the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival.

“An intelligent set that managed to be both easily accessible and playful and still say something serious.” Beyond the Joke

“A smart, impassioned comedian…an informed social observer and invested cultural commentator.” The Scotsman

“Good material, sharp presentation…an important voice.” The Times

JAVIER JARQUIN

After appearing on television and playing and headlining some of the biggest clubs in Australia and New Zealand Javier Jarquin moved to the UK in 2010 where he has established himself as a circuit regular and headline act around the country and in mainland Europe, performing alongside top names such as Jimmy Carr, Stewart Lee, Jo Brand and Paul Daniels. As well as being a delightfully puckish onstage presence, drawing all sorts of laughs from his Hispanic, Kiwi and Far Eastern heritage and deploying scalpel-sharp observational comedy skills, he also a masterful improviser. On top of all that he has developed the perfect party skill trick in his alter ego as the Card Ninja, being the comedy circuit's answer to Gambit from the X-Men.

“Jarquin is seriously talented when it comes to working a crowd.” The Stage

“Brilliantly entertaining performance.” The Edinburgh Reporter

AND YOUR RESIDENT HOST:

BEN VAN DER VELDE

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