Good Ship Comedy presents Mark Thomas

MARK THOMAS

Mark Thomas is a legend of the Alternative Comedy Circuit. If you've enjoyed watching comedy in the last three decades then you'll surely have enjoyed Mark's work or seen an act influenced by his ground-breaking comedy. He's pushed the boundaries of stand-up, theatre and campaigning, breaking world records and upsetting countless police officers along the way. He's performed 20 protests in 24 hours, set up an arms dealing after-school club for the under 8s and even established the Citizen's Kazoo Orchestra with our resident host Ben as part of his 100 Acts of Minor Dissent. He has also created five series of his ‘Manifesto’ show for BBC Radio 4, won eleven awards including three for protecting human rights and performed four shows at the National Theatre as well as at one liberal synagogue, a squatted MP’s second home, on the roof of a multi-storey car park and outside a US military base. 

“Thomas is a terrific performer and raconteur, and he has the gift of making an instant community out of a group of strangers.” The Guardian

“Highly entertaining… very funny… a heartfelt love letter to the health service.” Independent

TADIWA MAHLUNGE

Billed as “one of the country's top new comedy acts” by The York Press, Tadiwa Mahlunge has performed at, among others, the Latitude, Greenman, and Greenwich Comedy Festivals - alongside the biggest names in comedy - and has provided tour support for Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Jessica Fostekew, and TV warm up for Desiree Birch’s Amazon Prime special.

As seen on BBC 1, BBC 2, Dave, Comedy Central, UTV, Comic Relief and heard on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Northampton and BBC Sounds - Tadiwa Mahlunge has established himself as one of comedy’s hottest prospects. As such, he featured on the 2022 Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“Fearless comedian on the rise.” Daniel Kaluuya

BELLA HULL

Bella Hull is a London-based stand-up comedian and writer and one of the UK’s most exciting young comedians.

In 2022, Bella brought her debut hour, Babycakes, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and subsequently to London’s Soho Theatre to wide acclaim. She regularly plays to sell-out crowds across the UK and her TV appearances include BBC’s Stand Up for Live Comedy, ITV’s The Stand Up Sketch Show and Comedy Central Live. She also co-hosts the Last Night Ever podcast with Jacob Hawley.

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.

"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