Pre-Show Music - SMILIN' MIKE

We depart from our recent run of musical comedy this month with a change in style. A familiar face here at the football club, Mike will be on stage early to get you in the summer evening mood with a variety of blues numbers. Mike is an accomplished singer and guitarist who regularly performs at our Sunday Night Jam Sessions with his band 'The Blues Review'.

Headline Act - IAN STONE

Headlining this month, Ian Stone makes a welcome return to Chesham. Ranked amongst the top ten stand-ups in Britain by The Independent, Ian is a truly brilliant comedian. He’s performed in just about every corner of the world and recently became the first British stand-up to perform in Moscow. Stone is a member of the Comedy Store's critically acclaimed Cutting Edge team - where you can see him perform most Tuesdays alongside other big names such as Andy Parsons, Sean Meo and Rich Hall. Among his many television appearances, you might recognise him from ‘Mock the Week’ (BBC 2). Ian is also commissioned writer for The BBC. His intelligent and finely-tuned observational routine is consistently amusing, sharply written and peppered with smart topical asides. Stone has a smile that would fill the room, and a genial welcome that eases everyone into their unusually comfy chairs. He is a man who genuinely seems to want you to a have a nice time and is confident he can help. His material is solid and his vast experience makes for a delivery so capable that you can just lean back and relax into rhythmic laughter.

"Seriously Funny" - The Guardian

Opening Act - JOHN NEWTON

John began his comedy career in 2003 and fast became known for his inventive writing. Filled with keen observations, John covers a range of topics from the surreal to the hard hitting in his artfully constructed, and very original material. Newton does not need gimmicks, stage characters or personas; in that respect, he’s an old fashioned gag teller, and proud of it. John started work on the Cruise Ship Circuit and in 2008 alone clocked up an impressive 24 cruises. Travelling from continent to continent has given John a wealth of experience to draw from and makes for an interesting, hilarious set.

"John sucks you into his world with obscurely brilliant comedy" - The Comedy Vibe

Middle Act - ANDREW WATTS

Andrew Watts takes to the stage in a cheap suit and tie, looking every inch like a junior executive nervously about to present the annual accounts to the local Rotary Club. He exploits the image of a socially stunted middle-class professional meticulously, referencing Excel spreadsheets, bemoaning the laddishness of other stand-ups, complaining of his failures in dating and drawing on a cricketing analogy when it comes to discussing women’s fashion. His defiantly middle-class observational style has endeared him to audiences across London and the Home Counties and we look forward to finding out what he has to offer.

"Pure genius, in both material and timing" - Surrey Mirror

Open Spot - Max & Iván

Relative newcomers to the world of stand-up, Max and Iván are a comedy duo who enjoyed five star reviews at the Edinburgh fringe last year. Join them in a show that caters for both the MTV Generation and real people alike; journeying from the lowbrow (hilariously inappropriate lewdity) to the highbrow (deftly handled, recurring themes) via the middlebrow... (a simply brilliant parody which, at times, seems all too real.)

"Time just flies by in the company of these two skilled entertainers" - Chortle

Compère - PAUL RICKETTS

Ricketts excels as a natural story-teller with an amusing eloquence. He’s tried his hand at a variety of pursuits in the past, including stints as a; musician, playwright, pornographer, chimney sweep, stage hand and primary school teacher. But he finally turned to stand-up comedy on the advice of his therapist! He draws from his upbringing in Bedford to inform his black, suburban humour discussing everyday, topical and satirical subjects on stage. ANNE ROBINSON curiously described him as a ‘love god’ back in 2007, but you’ll have to ask him about that yourself!

"Highly accomplished" - Time Out