2016 Best Independent Promoter
( As Voted for in UK Comedy Awards )
Five Questions You Should Ask Your Comedy Night Supplier
Holding your first comedy night can be a daunting task. Whether it’s a pub function room, village hall or sports club for less than a hundred guests, something much bigger in a hotel, arts centre or theatre, or even a major corporate event these are the five things we would advise you ask any potential booker;
1) Do They Run Their Own Comedy Nights? If they can’t make money running a night then how can they advise you on running yours? We have run nights at our own financial risk for over fifteen years which means we’re bang up to date with all the latest trends and developments in selling out and producing successful shows.
2) Real Comedians Or Enthusiastic Amateurs? In the same way that anyone can call themselves a builder, anyone can call themselves a comedian, but do they have a solid reputation, make a decent living and, most importantly, consistently make audiences ? We don’t claim to be in touch with thousands of comedians we just work closely with several hundred who we know we can rely on.
3) What Do Previous Clients Say? We have lots of references from satisfied customers and, as we like to get things right first time, the vast majority of our clients use us again and again. Please feel free to contact any them to see what they say about our service.
4) Can They Supply A Full Service? There’s more to a successful comedy night than just the comedians. You’ll need an audience too! We can supply the posters, press releases, social media expertise we use to keep our own nights consistently profitable.
Sound and lighting are vitally important too and we have the experience to make sure yours is up to the job and, if not, we can supply everything you need at very competitive prices with both Public Liability Insurance and PAT testing.
5) How Does The Price Break Down? Unfortunately, it isn’t unheard of for a booker to charge, say £1000 for a show then only half that money goes to the performers. This rips you, your audience and the comedians off.
Any show price we give you is broken down into acts fees, a booking fee plus any marketing or technical costs. We don’t ask for any deposits and the agreed package price is exactly what you will pay on the night.
How We Do Business
We only want satisfied customers who will come back to us and recommend others. If your event is unsuitable for stand up comedy (weddings, stag and hen nights etc) then we’ll tell you. If the venue isn’t physically suitable or the budget won’t attract strong enough acts we much prefer to turn the work down rather than have you waste your time and money.
If you’re speaking to someone about your comedy event and they can’t give you satisfactory answers to the above questions then call Rob now on 07874 152 338 for a no obligation chat on how we can work together to make your comedy night a success. Alternatively you can email us here.
Press and clients comments.
Both wet and dry sales are up massively on comedy nights AND we make money on tickets. Great acts and all the help and advice we needed.
Lee Roberts, M.D. Blue Moon Pub Company
Rob was incredibly helpful when we were setting up a brand new comedy weekend for Lancaster. Working with us as a consultant, his knowledge, advice and pointers on acts, booking, contacts, venues and marketing was invaluable and helped make the event a real success.
Julie Brown, Laugh Out Lancaster
Rob helped us with everything from marketing the event to professionally setting it up and giving our customers a night to remember. A great night had by all with top class comedians.
Slug and Lettuce, Stockton Heath
“Mick Ferry was brilliant at our corporate event. He judged the mood of the audience perfectly and had us all in hysterics. With so many different ages in the room he managed to appeal to everyone which is very hard to do. I was very impressed, what an incredibly funny man!”
Amy Burgess. ITV
He could not have done more to advise us through the set-up and ticket selling process and it is clear he has got this down to a fine art! We raised over £900 for our chosen charities. Everybody enjoyed it so much that we are doing it again at the same time next year .
Lisa Birtles. Saddleworth Ladies Fundraising Committee
Really appreciate the standard of the acts you have provided throughout the year,
Eddie Owen, Chairman, Didsbury Cricket Club
Rob’s comedian went down a storm at our Christmas party, I would highly recommend him!
Ric Thompson, Managing Director, PCTI Solutions Ltd
“Just like to say thank you for entertaining us at Prees on Saturday night, I have had nothing but great feedback from everyone who attended” Mark Perkins Prees Cricket and Recreation Club, Shropshire
“A promoter par excellence” Justin Moorhouse
“Without even starting on my evaluations on the event, I’ve had comments like: superb, hilarious, brilliant … about Martin. He had all the VIPs shaking with laughter, and engaged on the right level with everyone. Thank you so so so much.” Helen Cooper. Northern Beats, Preston“a huge thank you for your involvement at our first Sportsperson Dinner. ‘…We are hoping that this event will be the first of many.” Manchester City Ladies Football Club
“Feedback was amazing for the comedy night.. everyone had a great time and so did we.” Zafiro’s, Truro
“Rob knows which acts will work for our decidedly picky audience – he gets it spot on every time” Georgina Timothy, Hale Lawn Tennis Club
“Rob Riley is a commensurate professional – he’s put Sowerby Bridge on the comedy map with the calibre of acts he’s booked for us, on brief and on budget. Can’t recommend him highly enough” Sara-Jo Cooper, The Works, Sowerby Bridge
“a massive thank you for putting on a terrific show for us Friday night, and in the process helped raise £800 for the school. You all went down an absolute storm.” Sally Jolleys, Gorsey Bank PTA
“The acts were superb and had us laughing all night” Alder Hey Childrens Transplant Sports Team
” Off the Rails is a brilliant gig, well promoted and organised …with the bonus of a warm and enthusiastic audience” Dave Spikey
“Rob Riley has help us transform the pub from a few quiet drinkers to a buzzing atmosphere on Comedy Sundays. Our near 70-% repeat custom to these nights clearly show they work and are wanted.” – Hannah Horner, The Borough, Lancaster
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“It’s clear that the guys running The Didsbury Comedy Club know their funny business. Two of the nominees for best stand up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, John Bishop and Tom Wrigglesworth, have performed there in recent weeks, so you can see why the monthly comedy night is proving such a hit with South Manchester residents.” – Fetch It Didsbury
“represented great value… .. and comes highly recommended.” The Visitor
‘a very funny night!’ – Manchester Evening News
‘On behalf of the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess 159 Supply Regiment RLC (V), thank you so much’ Staff Sgt A G Kershaw – 381 Med Sup Sqn (PSI)
‘excellent value, …some of the country’s top comedians in an intimate environment which oozes atmosphere’ – Talk Magazine
‘this must see night of laughter sees performances by the cream of the UK and international comedy circuit.’ – Around Saddleworth Magazine
‘Judging by the reaction to the first comedy night held at the Borough on Sunday it’s going to turn into a regular event.The event was a sell-out”. – Lancaster Guardian