Theatre Preview: Live Comedy Showcase

Live comedy night celebrating disability and neurodiversity at Theatre Royal Nottingham

Ingenious Fools and Theatre Royal Nottingham present a night of stand-up comedy filled to the brim with local and national talent, celebrating disability and neurodiversity. 

With star headliner, Britain’s Got Talent runner up Robert White, hosted by Georgie Morrell, as heard on BBC Radio 4 & RNIB Connect Radio, and featuring Don Biswas, Benny Shakes and Ricky Balshaw.

Ingenious Fools represents some of the best talent on the UK comedy circuit, who just happen to be disabled.  Disability is often overlooked when talking about diversity, but with over 14.6 million disabled people in the UK, it is no minority group.  Comedy is an excellent way of addressing the differences between people, promoting easy conversation and gently poking fun at attitudes. 

This event is supported by NDPM – Nottinghamshire Disabled People’s Movement – an organisation which campaigns on a wide range of issues that affect disabled people, both locally and nationally https://ndpm.org.uk.

The line-up is as follows:

Georgie Morrell

Losing her sight was a terrifying experience for comedian, writer and award-nominated actor, Georgie Morrell, but ultimately improved her confidence. 

“Without wanting to sound like much of a cliché, it really was a life changing experience – but not in the way you might expect.” 

Georgie has appeared on BackChat (Dave), Quote Unquote (BBC Radio 4), Good Week/Bad Week (BBC Radio 5 Live) and the BBC Radio 4 drama Jayne Lake. She is also a regular presenter on RNIB Connect Radio and was recently published in the Metro writing about her experience of sight loss.

Don Biswas

As heard on BBC’s Asian Network and BBC Radio 4, Don Biswas is one of the gems of the comedy circuit. He is a politically charged gag merchant, who likes to cover a wide range of subjects including his Asian upbringing, his range of disabilities (Dyspraxia, ADHD, Asperger’s) and even the most important of topics – conspiracy theories. Don has gained huge admiration from all corners of the circuit.

Benny Shakes

Nottingham comedian Benny Shakes, who has cerebral palsy, began performing comedy in 2018 doing spots at open mic nights.  He is now making a name for himself on the circuit as an incredibly funny upcoming talent, performing professionally at comedy clubs across the country.  In 2021, Benny gained Arts Council England funding for a research project into the barriers faced by disabled comedians. He has interviewed disabled performers such as Aaron Simmonds and Lost Voice Guy on his weekly podcast show, Benny Shakes Things Up. In August, he will be taking his disability game show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 

Benny says: “I’ve enjoyed doing comedy. Even being disabled myself, my eyes have opened up to the vast talent that exists in the disabled community.”

Ricky Balshaw

Ricky Balshaw is a Paralympic, World Championship and European Championship dressage medallist turned comedian and writer, with a penchant for dark humour. He is also a BBC New Comedy Award finalist who has appeared on BBC One and BBC Three. He has performed at clubs such as Hot Water Comedy Club and clubs across the Midlands. Ricky has also been a pundit for Channel 4 for the Paralympics from London, Rio and Tokyo. 

Robert White

Robert is a sought after act who regularly performs in big clubs, little clubs, those in-between, theatres and festivals around the UK and abroad.  He was runner-up of series 12 of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2018. He divides his time between comedy in gigs, tours and whatever else comes up, writing songs and musicals, and talking to people about autism.

‘Just one of the funniest performers I’ve ever seen, I’ve never laughed like that!’ David Walliams

Get you tickets here for Wednesday 14 September 2022 7.30pm £16.50

Or contact the Box Office on 0115 989 5555

Age Guidance 15+

This performance is Sign Language Interpreted