comedy

Next Level Sketch spooky Halloween Show with Jen Ives, Thick ‘n’ Fast and Bab Comedy

I’m still on a post-show high following last night’s spooky Halloween special of Next Level Sketch, which boasted the frankly ludicrous guest lineup of Jen Ives, Bab and Thick ‘n’ Fast. I hosted again, and was welcomed to the stage by Dian on tech, who checked if the audience were ready to get spooky and… Read more

October 19, 2023

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jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, London, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy

Bab, comedy, Hoopla Impro, Jen Ives, London, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy, Thick ‘n’ Fast
Next Level Sketch with special guests The Awkward Silence, Luke Rollason, Mudfish, and Andy Barr

Hello! This was our July show, aka the last show of the summer before our hiatus so people can have a rest and go to Edinburgh or the seaside or whatever it is people do in August. At the time of the show, my mental health wasn’t exceptional, and so I didn’t do my usual… Read more

August 15, 2023

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy

Andy Barr, comedy, Hoopla Impro, James Walsh, London, London Bridge, Luke Rollason, Mudfish, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy, the awkward silence
Next Level Sketch at Bristol Improv Theatre / Next Level Sketch featuring Katie Pritchard, The Mayor and his Daughter, and Grubby Little Mitts at Hoopla Impro

Two gigs in a week for the Next Level Sketch juggernaut, and so I have decided to cut and shunt them into a single blog post. We last played the Bristol Improv Theatre back in late January 2022, as guests of Up The Antics. It was very kind of them to welcome us back, and… Read more

June 2, 2023

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jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, London, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy

Grubby Little Mitts, Hoopla Impro, Katie Prichard, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy, The Mayor and his Daughter
Brighton Fringe 2023: Who To See (16th – 21st May)

Ahoy! It’s the second of my weekly guides to what comedy shows to see at the Brighton Fringe. Please keep your arms and legs inside the listings at all times. CAPTAIN BREADBEARD’S BREADY BRILLIANT ALTERNATIVE COMEDY SHOW20th May, 10pm, Caravanserai Brighton I have no idea who Captain Breadbeard is, or what he wants. But this… Read more

May 16, 2023

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jamesofwalsh

in

Brighton, comedy, Diary

alternative comedy, Brighton Fringe, Brighton Fringe 2023, Julia Masli, Sam Nicoresti, Su Mi
Brighton Fringe: Who To See (8-14th May)

Hello! Brighton Fringe is underway already, and now I’ve got my own gigs out of the way [1] my plan is to give you weekly tips of people to see who DEFINITELY aren’t me. This is an extremely subjective guide of course – but I’ve seen many shows over the years, and reviewed plenty, so… Read more

May 8, 2023

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jamesofwalsh

in

Brighton, comedy, Diary, Places

Brighton Comedy, Brighton Fringe, comedy, Lulu Poppelwell, Medico, Stefania Licari
Interview with Joz Norris / my new Substack!

Hello! I’ve waved a fond farewell to my former newsletter and started a new one at Substack. It’ll have the same links, ramblings and occasional comments on the weather as my old one (RIP Button Down), but will also feature an interview with a different writer / comedian each week. These will be on the… Read more

April 28, 2023

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jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, journalism

ACMS, alternative comedy, Blink, comedy, Joz Norris, Next Level Sketch, The Dream Factory
Next Level Sketch with Su Mi, Matt & Rosa, Mr Simon Topping and Joz Norris

Next Level Sketch has been going since January 2020, a really sensible time to start a regular live show. We did podcasts during lockdown, and have been gradually building ourselves back as a live concern since then. We are aware that our set-up is unusual. A writers’ collective with a core group of regular performers,… Read more

April 27, 2023

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jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, London, Next Level Sketch

alternative comedy, comedy, Hoopla Impro, James Walsh, London Bridge, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy, The Miller
Musical Comedy Awards 2023 – The Final, Bloomsbury Theatre

There are two comedy finals in a row this weekend. I can’t make the Sketch Off final at the Leicester Square Theatre – good luck Charlie Vero-Martin et al – but popped along to this. I love musical comedy, and thought this would be a good opportunity to find fresh talent to book for my… Read more

April 1, 2023

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jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, music

Bloomsbury Theatre, Musical Comedy Awards
Horse Passports at The Dip Comedy in Kentish Town

I really enjoyed this gig. A throwback arts cafe of a venue, an excellent host in Chris East, and a really top quality lineup of improvisers, character comedians and alternative stand-ups. I would happily book any or indeed all of them for one of my own shows. This was only Horse Passports’ fourth ever gig,… Read more

March 8, 2023

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

Brighton, cities, comedy, Diary, London, Next Level Sketch

comedy, London, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy
Next Level Sketch, with special guests The Lovely Boys, Low Effort Sketches and Anne Crowther

Since Wednesday’s show, I have been helping look after my friends’ 17-month-old twins. These ginger siblings are in that grey area between baby and toddler. They laugh at silly noises, good timing, surprises, and repetition. They need a bit of practice understanding language and context, sure. Neither of them will be requesting Simon Munnery tickets… Read more

February 26, 2023

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy

comedy, Hoopla Impro, London, Low Effort Sketches, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy, The Lovely Boys