International comedy superstar Dylan Moran is to perform at Niamos Radical Arts Centre in Hulme, bringing laughter back to the historic south Manchester venue.
The Niamos Radical Arts Centre, formerly the Hulme Playhouse and Hulme Hippodrome, is no stranger to comedy greats performing on its stage since its opening in 1902. Over the years it has witnessed such legendary names of comedy as Morecambe and Wise, Les Dawson and Ken Dodd, plus many more during its time as a BBC Radio theatre. From the world of music The Beatles, Shirley Bassey and Nina Simone have all delighted fans in Hulme.
Now after many years of turbulent history and risks to its mere existence, Niamos in association with Nodding Dog Comedy, are set to put the venue back on the comedy map with a series of special shows to raise awareness and to help generate much need regeneration funds.
Kicking things off on Thursday 30th May is Dylan Moran. Widely regarded as the finest stand up of his generation, selling out shows worldwide for over two decades, Moran will be bringing his dark, dry and relentlessly sharp humour to Niamos as he performs a special extended headlining set.
Described as “The Oscar Wilde of comedy” and “The worlds greatest comedian: living or dead” you can expect something special from the Bafta and Perrier Award winning Irish comic, famed both for his incredible standup performances and his roles in Black Books, Shaun of the Dead, Notting Hill and much more.
Support on the night comes from Jo Enright, an award winning stand-up comedian and actor herself, who has appeared in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, The Job Lot, Life’s Too Short and After Life.
For more than a decade Jo Enright has worked with many of the UK’s leading comedy writers and directors. As a regular collaborator with Ricky Gervais and Peter Kay, Jo has starred on numerous Netflix, HBO, BBC, ITV and Channel 4 productions. Amongst other performances Jo has recently appeared in Ricky Gervais’ 2022 Netflix smash hit After Life, Guz Khan’s Man Like Mobeen, Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights and Steve Coogan’s I’m Alan Partridge. She received rave reviews for playing the female lead Sue, in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s HBO series Life’s Too Short, and the part of Angela in three series of the ITV and Netflix’s The Job Lot.
Host and MC for the evening will be local Moss Side stand up comedian Jonathan Mayor. A regular at all the biggest comedy clubs in the UK, he has acted as Sarah Millican tour support and TV warm up for Joe Lycett.
Nodding Dog Comedy owner Kev Rook said of the event “This is the first of a series of very special shows with high profile comedians set to perform at this hugely important and historical venue. Hulme is massively underserved in terms of funding and facilities for local residents. Restoring Niamos as a theatre that can attract big names is a huge opportunity that can only be of a benefit to the surrounding area. We can’t wait to see Dylan Moran on its stage.”
Tickets for the first Niamos Comedy Club are on sale at £16.50, with the option to make a further donation to the venue at the checkout. To purchase follow the link here: https://www.jokepit.com/e/
