the bootlegger
Tucked away on Fore Street, The Bootlegger is a speakeasy-style bar with exposed brick, low lighting, and a laid-back ‘20s vibe. Known for its expertly mixed cocktails with a twist, it’s now also a place to enjoy comedy with your cocktails—what could be better?
Guess Who’s Bec, Bec Again? Bec Hill’s Bec! (Tell a Friend.) WIP
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Bec Hill (the one with the flipcharts) returns to Exeter Comedy Festival having fallen in love with it (and you) last year. And this time, she’s bringing her bed.
As seen on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and heard on A Problem Squared, No Such Thing As a Fish, and Tom Scott’s Lateral Podcast.
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Ed Gaughan: 'The Emperor' (Work In Progress)
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A brand new work in progress from Award Winning Idiot!
Last year Ed did his first solo show for 19 years and he really enjoyed it so he’s going again...
Things this WIP may contain..jokes (2) History (some, probably fairly inaccurate) Science
(made up) stories, characters, sketches, music, some stuff about Napoleon ( NOT the boring
Ridley Scott snoozefest starring that pound shop Marlon Brando BUT the real story of the
chippy little Corsican fella) Lions.
Things this WIP will almost certainly not contain... Lions.
Keep your expectations low and nobody gets hurt.
Over many years Ed has written, directed and performed work for and with many of the UK’s
most loved acts- including Milton Jones, Josie Long,Will Adamsdale, Barry Cryer, Pappy’s
and Spymonkey. He’s also the voice of Baron Greenback in Dangermouse, Gideon in Sky
TV’s Brassic and the Co-creator, co-writer and star of the BAFTA nominated movie
‘Skeletons’ which won the ‘Michael Powell Award For Cinema’ at The Edinburgh Festival.
Ed is a ‘Peter Sellers Award For Comedy’ nominee
As a musician Ed has performed numerous gigs including Glastonbury, London Jazz and
Porto Jazz Festivals and as a composer for stage, screen and audio. (Most recently scoring
‘Hamlet’ for Shakespeare’s Globe)
“Original and intelligent, if Ed Gaughan doesn’t already have a cult fan base they should
really set one up” **** Metro
“Eccentric, heartfelt and very funny” ****Guardian
“A surreal disorientating hybrid of theatre, stand up comedy and jazz concert incorporating a
talent for accents and impressions with hysterical physical comedy” **** Independent
Cast & Creative Team
Writer/Performer/ Composer ED GAUGHAN
Director TOM PARRY
Dramaturg DR WES WILLIAMS
Producer PETER SMITH
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Dee Allum: Work In Progress
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Award-winning comedian Dee Allum presents an hour of new material.
Dee brought her debut hour, ‘Dee Allum: Deadname’, to the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe to wide critical acclaim: “A story of gender identity told with panache, charm, self-deprecation and copious wit … an inventive, casually ironic storytelling skill … a true stand-up.”★★★★ The Times.
Dee has also been nominated for Best Newcomer at the Chortle Awards, placed as runner up in the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year award 2021, won the 2Northdown New Act Competition 2021 and was a finalist in the 2022 BBC New Comedy Award competition.
As seen on ITV’s Stand Up Sketch Show. As heard on BBC Radio 4’s One Person Found This Helpful.
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Andrew White: Rhinestone Comedian (WIP)
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Treat yourself to a deliciously witty and hilarious night out as comedian Andrew White works up latest his star-spangled stand-up show ahead of a national tour in November.
Praised by Joe Lycett as “very exciting and very funny”, Andrew has grown a reputation for his strong writing and charming onstage persona, tackling big topics with irreverent swipes, and deep diving into nonsense with over-analytical obsession. From the politics of all-you-can-eat buffets to the technological shortcomings of racists, this show is exactly the sparkly-heeled, high-fashioned, raucously funny, no-holds-barred night out you’ve been looking for!
★★★★ ‘A plethora of memorable gags… a relevant and witty comedian’ (Chortle)
★★★★ ‘Rampantly engaging’ (The List)
‘Charisma to burn and an eye for sharp punchlines’ (British Comedy Guide)
‘Go see him, he’s sublime’ (Maisie Adam) -
Amy Matthews: Work In Progress
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Following a 5 star tour of her show that is now a full special on ITVX, and launching her subsequent show as a comedy vinyl in 2025, Amy Matthews is scratching about in the dirt for new jokes and new ideas. Come and help find them with her. This will be BRAND new stuff. How exciting! Thrilling. Daunting! Exclusive, oooooo. Playful! Whimsical! Funny.
As seen on tour with Ed Byrne, Tom Allen, Sarah Keyworth, Tom Davis and Suzi Ruffell, as well as on Comedy Central.
“A must-see […] a searing wit, she makes the deeply personal feel like a universal truth “ - Rolling Stone. -
The Joke Clinic [LIVE]
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Charlie Bowers and Walter Jack are The Joke Clinic, bringing the success of their critically-acclaimed YouTube series to the stage. Each night the clinicians host guest comedians – transforming tired material into comedy gold!
Fans exiting their shows have used words like "ridiculous" and "speechless" and YouTube comments fawn over their "unusual" talent.
Here is what some of their clients have had to say:
"My material is completely unrecognisable" - Jordan Brookes
"Made my audience question themselves" - Spencer Jones
"What's this for?" - Paul Hilleard, BBC New Comedian Of The Year 2025Come along and bear witness to two of the most experienced comedy consultants in the business working their magic before a live audience.
"Pointless meta-comedy" - Chortle
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Kate Cheka: A Messiah Comes
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BIGHEAD Comedy presents the reigning Funny Women Award winner and Chortle Best Newcomer nominee’s debut hour where she tries to save the world.
Where does this messiah complex come from? Is it the second coming or has she just inherited her mother's psychological disorder? If you're anxious about the state of the world (or just your own mental state), join this 'impressive, frank and relatable' (Chortle.co.uk) BBC New Comedy Awards semi-finalist as she becomes the first woman to wonder what many men have wondered before her: am I actually God?
WINNER - 2023 Funny Women Stage Award
NOMINEE - NextUp's Biggest Award In Comedy Best Newcomer
NOMINEE - 2024 Chortle Awards Best Newcomer
“Charismatic, eloquent, frank and witty...an impressive debut for a bright comic.”Chortle
“Witty and charming...the audience are quickly drawn into Kate's world” The List
“She's unstoppable. Her enthusiastic delivery cracks along at such a pace that you wonder whether she's remembering to breathe.” The Skinny -
Time: 06/06/25 @19:15-20:15
Venue: The Bootlegger
one talent show please
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Muttonbird and Pigeon Present: ONE TALENTSHOW PLEASE
Muttonbird and Pigeon (Bristol's PREMIUM entertainment dream team) are coming to Exeter with the world's greatest TALENTSHOW.
Six hopeful individuals will battle it out for a coveted MB&P trophy in this chaotic old school talentshow. There will be voting, prizes, SOB STORIES, dreams crushed, and all time good vibes. Get amongst it.
Muttonbird and Pigeon are Emma Hughes and Daisy Williams. They make scrappy, groovy, entertainment stuff and are from Bristol.
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Time: 06/06/25 @22:15-23:45
Venue: The Bootlegger
Lou Wall: Work in Progress
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Winner Best of the Fest Award 2024 Sydney Comedy Festival.
Nominee 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show.
A new show by Lou Wall about lying, mental-breakdowns and the internet. Featuring Lou's signature meme-fuelled power points and pop musical comedy, Breaking the 5th Wall is a forensic and frankly ludicrous deep dive into the space where performance and reality collide. Nothing and everything is as it seems.
'One-of-a-kind masterwork.' ★★★★★ Time Out
'One of the most glorious Australian comedy hours in years.' ★★★★★ The Sydney Morning HeraldDirected by Zoë Coombs Marr
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Time: 06/06/25 @20:45-21:45
Venue: The Bootlegger
Ted Milligan: United (WIP)
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Crubchester United Football Club have fallen to their lowest point, they sit outside the football league. However, after being purchased by a 6 year old billionaire, can they turn their fate around?
Join award-winning character comedian Ted Milligan for this live mockumentary following Crubchester’s loyal fans, uninspired players, corrupt owners and an Iguana.
WINNER Leicester Square Sketch Off 2024
WINNER Late Stage Comedy @LCF Best Performance 2024
30 Comedians you should be watching LMAONAISE
Telegraph’s Top Jokes of Edinburgh Fringe 2023
“So funny… The sheer brio of his performance had the audience hooked” - Chortle
“Hilarious, properly effortlessly hilarious” - EdFringe Review
“Exceptionally well-written” - Inter:Mission
“Peppered with superior zingers” - Beyond the Joke -
Time: 07/06/25 @16:30-17:30
Venue: The Fat Pig