Silky
2005: Melbourne comedy festival show: Nicko & Silky
2003:Performing at the early Big Value Comedy Show at Edinburgh
2000:Runner-up, Leicester Comedy Festival Comedian Of The Year. Nominated for a Liverpool Echo entertainments award.
1995:BBC New Comedy Awards finalist
Also promoter of the Kill For A Seat chain of comedy clubs.
Silky Videos
Reviews
Alternative Comedy Memorial Society
The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society is not just comedy night, it’s a state of mind.
In a London circuit full of necessary new material nights, it has become an institution in just 18 months, run on the philosophy is that it is better to aim high and fall short, than not to try at all. There is a catchphrase to sum it up: ‘A failure!’ genial hosts Thom Tuck and John-Luke Roberts triumphantly cry after each act. ‘A noble failure!’ the crowd dutifully reply.
Experimentation is all. Tonight we witnessed a woman with a pumpkin on her head bashing herself with a hammer; the spirit of Saddam Hussein reincarnated in the body of a cat; four physical wrecks running lengths of the stage while knocking back vodka, lager and milk; a reading from an earnest academic paper about the effects of alien species on British freshwater life; and a trombone-playing troubadour in sparkly beard and flamboyant hat reading the speeches of Winston Churchill before the audience reenacted the Battle Of Britain with hundreds of cheap toy aeroplanes.
read more of this review …
You will not witness the likes of this anywhere else, or, indeed, here again. The ethos is of unusual but semi-established performers trying things they could never do elsewhere – the very antithesis of the anodyne end of TV stand-up or the clubs which try to recreate that.
Tuck and Roberts – ‘not a conventional double act’, they are keen to remind us – are crucial in this; hosting without an apparent plan, celebrating in the awkwardness that sometimes creates, yet being witty enough to ensure their nonsense steers clear of the self-indulgent. In their compering duties tonight, they are aided with convoluted musical puns, courtesy of The Baptists, two-thirds of the comedy band whose leader, Johnny, was signed off on medical grounds.
Every institution needs its rules, and those at ACMS further underline the culture of creative endeavour. The audience may heckle, but only from a proscribed list. ‘We appreciate what you are trying to do!’ is allowed. As is ‘Tell us a joke! The ones you have been telling so far have been brilliant.’ Anything shouted out that’s not authorised – however funny – is slapped down with a brutally authoritarian: ‘Non-permitted heckle!’
Yet for all the caveats that much of the night ‘might be a bit shit’; it’s actually wonderfully entertaining overall. Certainly the community of like-minded souls helps, but jokes are funny, zany ideas are delivered with slapstick silliness, and fertile imaginations are allowed to run free. Plus, it’s a packed bill, so any failures – noble as they may be – are quickly scooted over.
The one thing that doesn’t fit in is the tried-and-tested. The second half here contained two broadly conventional stand-ups: Asher Treleaven – who complained his physical, nerdy material didn’t work in his native Australia – and slow-speaking circuit veteran Silky, with some quiet nonsense involving his guitar stand and a whimsical song. Nothing wrong with either (except, perhaps, for the old line ‘a groan is as good as a laugh – except in the bedroom’) but all a bit orthodox for this night.
Opening act Joanna Neary had mocked the rituals of stand-up, pretending that on her ‘course’ they had told her to gallop around the stage like Russell Kane or Michael McIntyre – regardless of her physical condition. This breathless performance perhaps fell into the ‘noble failure’ category, but symptomatic of this gig that she could do a gag about a theramin, in the assumption enough of the audience would know what that was.
Sara Pascoe did the ridiculous Saddam Hussein cat business, with mixed results, followed by Bridget Christie, for whom this night seems custom-designed, as she complains her mix of surrealism and gender politics makes her unbookable elsewhere. By her own account she did something ridiculous involving rice last month, but this time more straightforward, if decidedly quirky, stand-up.
Next Nadia Kamil, dressed as if she’d fallen out of the pages of Where’s Wally?, dared the audience to take her seriously as she read from the dry academic paper she’d brought along. The command to suppress laughter was, of course, enough to encourage titters around the room which she variously admonished or tacitly encouraged. It’s a technique Frankie Howerd mastered... but never quite like this. This section was closed by Ben Target and Matthew Highton leading the ‘bleep test’ athletic challenge that was so messy it needed an interval to clear up.
Afterwards, beautifully bonkers Tony Law revealed, in a chat show segment, how he helped found the city of Rome but failed to kill Hitler, leading into the more conventional stand-ups perviously mentioned.
William Andrews followed with his own take on the ‘comedy in the dark’ idea – and took the cliche that you could get laughs from reading the phone book, by doing the same with an anodyne Myleene Klass interview from a celebrity magazine.
Tom Bell also found inspiration from the newsstands, mercilessly – and hilariously – mocking Love It! before adding a Halloween twist to their HORRORscopes. Lou Sanders continued the October 31 theme, but from the pumpkin’s point of view, in a silly segment that was brief, but perfect length.
Finally, the resplendently dressed Matthew Kelly with gloriously odd non-sequiturs and convoluted bits of stage business, culminating in scores of planes flying between stage and audience in a memorably playful climax that sums up all that is joyous about ACMS.
It's more than a noble failure, it's a gorgeously flawed triumph.
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Silky Dates
Fri 21 Jun 2013
- Liverpool Slaughterhouse
- 20:00
- From £15
- Dave Twentyman, Mick Ferry, Silky, Chris Cairns (MC)
Sat 22 Jun 2013
- Liverpool Slaughterhouse
- 20:00
- From £15
- Dave Twentyman, Mick Ferry, Silky, Chris Cairns (MC)
Mon 1 Jul 2013
- Darlington Civic Theatre
- 19:30~22:30
- £18.50 to £22
- Gavin Webster, Justin Moorhouse, Silky, Patrick Monahan (MC)
Sat 6 Jul 2013
Book Now- Nottingham Bartons
- 20:00~00:00
- £8
- Alan Francis, Jim Campbell, Silky, Spiky Mike (MC)
Sun 14 Jul 2013
Book NowSat 20 Jul 2013
- Plymouth Comedy Club
- 20:00~23:00
- £10
- Billy Kirkwood, Rich Wall, Silky, Chris Brooker (MC)
Wed 24 Jul 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Falkirk Behind The Wall
- 19:30
- £8 (£7 concs)
Thu 1 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
More Silky Dates …
Fri 2 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Sat 3 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Sun 4 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Mon 5 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Tue 6 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Wed 7 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Thu 8 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Fri 9 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Sat 10 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Sun 11 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Tue 13 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Wed 14 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Thu 15 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Fri 16 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Sat 17 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Sun 18 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Mon 19 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Tue 20 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Wed 21 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Thu 22 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Fri 23 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Sat 24 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Sun 25 Aug 2013
- Silky: It Was This Show Or Have Kids
- Stand 2
- 14:25~15:25
- £6 to £8
Thu 29 Aug 2013
Book Now- Cardiff Glee Club
- 20:00
- Adult - £9.50, Student - £6.50
- Andrew Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Julian Deane, Julian Deane, Silky, Silky
Thu 29 Aug 2013
Book Now- Cardiff Glee Club
- 20:00
- Adult - £9.50, Student - £6.50
- Andrew Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Julian Deane, Julian Deane, Silky, Silky
Fri 30 Aug 2013
Book Now- Cardiff Glee Club
- 20:30
- Adult - £15.00, Student - £6.50
- Andrew Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Julian Deane, Julian Deane, Romesh Ranganathan, Romesh Ranganathan, Silky, Silky
Fri 30 Aug 2013
Book Now- Cardiff Glee Club
- 20:30
- Adult - £15.00, Student - £6.50
- Andrew Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Julian Deane, Julian Deane, Romesh Ranganathan, Romesh Ranganathan, Silky, Silky
Sat 31 Aug 2013
Book Now- Cardiff Glee Club
- 20:30
- Adult - £17.50
- Andrew Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Julian Deane, Julian Deane, Romesh Ranganathan, Romesh Ranganathan, Silky, Silky
Sat 31 Aug 2013
Book Now- Cardiff Glee Club
- 20:30
- Adult - £17.50
- Andrew Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Julian Deane, Julian Deane, Romesh Ranganathan, Romesh Ranganathan, Silky, Silky
Fri 6 Sep 2013
Book Now- Nottingham Glee
- 20:00
- Adult - £11.00, Student - £4.00
- Iain Stirling, Iain Stirling, Silky, Silky
Fri 6 Sep 2013
Book Now- Nottingham Glee
- 20:00
- Adult - £11.00, Student - £4.00
- Iain Stirling, Iain Stirling, Silky, Silky
Sat 7 Sep 2013
Book Now- Nottingham Glee
- 20:00
- Adult - £14.00, Student - £4.00
- Iain Stirling, Iain Stirling, Silky, Silky
Sat 7 Sep 2013
Book Now- Nottingham Glee
- 20:00
- Adult - £14.00, Student - £4.00
- Iain Stirling, Iain Stirling, Silky, Silky
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Brett Vincent
Underbelly Management
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London
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contact by email
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Older Comments
Jenny - 25/09/2011
Fantastic comic. Saw him in Liverpool and out of the three comics he was by far our favourite. We will eb looking out for him next time.
Samantha Darnbrough - 30/07/2010
I see Silky 1-2 times a month at his Kill for a Seat events. Great compare and funny guy. He makes you laugh and squirm in equal measure. If he picks on you to talk to, be nice or he'll make you regret it! Funny for the rest of the audience, but I really wouldn't like to be on the recieving end. He's at his best when NOT trying to stop smoking, and when he has an interesting punter and a guitar in his hand. Go Silky! North Wales loves you!
sian hopkins - 01/06/2010
I saw him Sunday 30th may 2010 in The Stand Edinburgh, was crying with laughter, brilliant!
Bri - 03/09/2009
I see Silky every month at Kill For a Seat Comedy Nights in Mold. Great compere. Tends to wait for something to happen from the crowd, and when it does he's dynamite. Top bloke.
David - 12/08/2009
Last time he came to the Queens Hall in Narberth he was a waste of space. I used to think he was mildly amusing, now, I wouldn't waste my time going to see him. He'd not bothered rehearsing anything and generally couldn't be bothered to be there. I'm hoping he never comes back.
Pelsi - 21/07/2009
Saw him for the first time at the Llangollen Eisteddfod in a dingy tent. Mixture of children, adults, OAPs, people who barely understood English... Laughed so much! His improv was quality! Looking forward to seeing him on a regular basis at local comedy clubs
Danielle - 15/10/2007
I went to a comedy night in Blaengarw. Have to say it was one of the funniest evenings I've had in a long old time. Variation of age and beauty did not sway Silky in any way.
Stephen - 30/05/2007
Saw Silky last night at a special Radio Merseyside show, he was really funny, and went down well despite the average age of the audience being 80 years old.
kat - 09/05/2007
i had a sh*t day - silky was the perfick evening pick-me-up (even if he failed miserably)
RedTsunami - 17/12/2006
Very funny guy and talented musician to boot. Also put some annoyingly noisy Aussies in their place, much to the delight of every other paying punter.
Marvin - 03/12/2006
A truly intelligent performer who wins audiences accross with his likable personality and excellent material. A fantastic musician as well, with a good collection of comedy songs. Also one of the best comperes you'll see, his comedy clubs always have great acts and he works the crowd very well.
Pete Rudling - 09/10/2006
Silky's a legend! A really great comedian. A real gem in crown of comedy.
SparkyMark - 27/09/2004
A very strong set from beginning to end and he seemed to enjoy it as much the audience. Genuine witty interaction with the audience and great stuff in his set. There is obvious intelligence behind his material but it doesn't overshadow the humour. A lot of comedians rant but few do it with the control and attention to detail that made Silky's so funny.
Yewtiful - 29/03/2004
I've seen Silky many many times and have yet to be disappointed by him.
Wayne Williams - 22/01/2004
Do not heckle this comedy genius, otherwise he will destroy you with his incredibley fast wit
Phil Reilly - 11/01/2004
Funny and charming man, but he's no Les Dennis... Thank fuck.
Phil - 02/12/2003
Funny, witty, brave, a ruthless ad libber and great to watch. But sexy?
Chrissie - 25/11/2003
Seen Silky at The Hyena club Newcastle, quite funny, funny singalongs, hated the hold your hands and sway part, young and can only get better with experience.
Dave Bishop - 23/10/2003
Very, very funny and what a nice guy.
Chris Wright - 06/10/2003
Just saw Silky for the second time at The Studio in Hartlepool. Loads of new material, and he was even better than last time. A really friendly, chatty persona now, and tight delivery. Come back soon.
Rob Mmm - 07/09/2003
Silky is a very funny man. He made laugh beer out of my nose.
Dave Cameron - 24/08/2003
I saw him thrice at this year's Ed fringe. The man is a genius. By far the funniest man in the city, I cant speak highly enough of him. He touched me (but not in an illegal way).
Ed - 30/05/2003
I saw him when he did a gig at my uni, and he killed the crowd, I've never seen a stand up as funny.
Tom - 25/04/2003
Saw him in Liverpool last weekend. I can't imagine him doing a set, but as a compere he is without equal. Top bloke
Jon - 20/04/2003
Great bloke
Craig Laycock - 03/02/2003
Generally good, although as a Prestonian I can't help but be offended at some of his comments on the city. Dried up a bit in places, but was hillarious in others. A mixed bag.
Chris Wright - 05/12/2002
Saw Silky at the Hartlepool Studio. Fantastic put-downs for the hecklers in the crowd, and a good set all-round.
Karen Ap - 05/12/2002
Silky just gets more amusing by the minute. He's a great compere and I love going to his gigs, he knows his audience and what they want, he makes me split my sides laughing everytime. Quality,
Chesney - 29/10/2002
Turns Tuesday nights in Oxford into a little outpost of the weekend.
John Cooper - 07/10/2002
Funny, and also a nice bloke.
Sean Murricane - 05/10/2002
Silky always leaves me giggling for hours after a gig has finished - It's great to see a compere do more than just announce who's on next. I've booked him loads of times and wouldn't think twice about booking him again
Graham R - 28/08/2002
Went to Uni with Silky - good with a heckle but not much else. Seen him a couple of times since - same as ever. Material mediocre, good with a crowd.
Shortchanged - 26/08/2002
I know what DC (below) means about willing him to get off the stage after an hour. Twenty minutes - bueno, but an hour? Jesus, I was nearly flatlining. He sucked the life out of the room.
DC - 11/05/2002
Saw him in Kendal last night. About 20 per cent of his material tickled the audience, but we were willing him to get off the stage after an hour
- 30/11/-0001