Join us at Gosforth Civic Theatre for an unforgettable night of comedy with some of the best LGBQTIA+ comedians on the circuit!

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Hosted by Cal Halbert and featuring Louise Young, Bethany Black, Connor Read and Nicola Mantalios.

Enjoy a night packed with camp fun, side-splitting jokes, and witty one-liners.

So gather your friends and get ready for a night of non-stop laughter at Jesterval is Curious Comedy Special  

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Cal Halbert

Impressionist, comedian, voice over artist, writer and actor. 

Cal Halbert has performed from comedy clubs to the home of variety the London Palladium, Britain’s Got Talent and The Gadget Show to Good Morning Britain and voiced for YouTube to the BBC. 

Well known as an Impressionist, Halbert is one half of ‘The Mimic Men’. The UK’s only impressionist double act!

Cal performed on Britain’s Got Talent in 2016 and gained four yeses accompanied  by a standing ovation by the judges, audience and Ant and Dec. 

In 2020, Cal appeared in Sunday for Sammy at the Newcastle Utilita Area.

He is the host for Calbert Media's celebrity podcast "The Cal Halbert Podcast" available to download and stream across most online services.

‘Uncanny Imitations’ - The Sun

‘Hilarious’ - Daily Mail

'Excellent' - The Mirror

"Beatifically Composed, Accomplished Storyteller' - The Scotsman

‘Impersonator Genius’ - Sunderland Echo

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Louise Young

Best Newcomer nominee and runner up of NextUps 'Biggest Award in Comedy' at last year's Edinburgh Fringe - Louise Young is a rising-star in the world of comedy. Tour support for Alan Carr and Jason Manford, and as seen on Channel 4's Original Comedy shorts and Comedy Central Live!

"Young has a brand of humour that is as funny as it is delivered with its pathos nailed to the wall' ***** (The Skinny)

'Louise Young is a rapidly rising star' ****
(London Theatre 1)

Bethany Black

Bethany Black is a comedian, actor and writer.  She has been performing for over 20 years and has supported many acts on tour including Joe Lycett and Paul Sinha. Blessed with a sharp tongue and a desire to overshare she's been critically acclaimed for her personal, confessional style of comedy.  Just as comfortable performing in a small room as in a stadium she has travelled the world and is a regular at some of the biggest clubs in the UK.

You might know her from Mock the Week or 8 out of 10 cats, but that's just your mind playing tricks, despite regularly being praised for her appearance on those shows she's never appeared on either, she has been a panelist on "Sorry I Didn't Know  " (ITV) as well as "Sarah Millican's Elephant In The Room" (BBC Radio 4) and was a guest on "Rosie Jones - Box Ticker" (BBC Radio 4).  She has had leading roles in television shows such as Cucumber, Banana and Tofu by Russell T Davies for Channel 4 for which she has won awards, she was also a guest star in Doctor Who and played one of the series baddies in No Offence.

She has written for TV shows such as Frankie Boyle's New World Order and Mummy's Big Queer Do as well as written jokes for many of the guests on your favourite panel shows.

Connor Read

Connor Read is a young gay Geordie comic. He was crowned Felt Nowt ‘New Act of the Year’ 2022, Shortlisted for the BBC Comedy Awards 2023, and provided Tour Support for Olga Kock in 2024. He has already earned the title “Most promising comedian emerging from the North East today” by Comedian John Scott (EDB Fringe ‘Take the Mic’ Competition Winner 2010). Connor’s nostalgically camp persona revamped with an ultramodern flair has solidified his status as "an audience favourite" - (Giggle Water Comedy). With a repertoire of Queer storytelling, sharp one liners and warm persona, Connor effortlessly tussles with the inner conflict of being a Queer ‘old soul’ navigating the complexities of the modern world. “Bulletproof confidence… Connor levelled the place” - The Stand Comedy Club.

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Nicola Mantalios as Zoe

A natural story teller, poet and comedian, with warmth and wit, Nicola engages and connects with her audience ensuring a beautiful experience all round.

 

ABOUT ZOE

Who is Zoe?

Zoe is a dog obsessed straight talking personality with a fresh world view,
sometimes blunt , often silly and always hilarious; Zoe is a beloved comedy figure
in the North East. Zoe is a natural clown.

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Is Zoe family friendly?

Zoe has hosted many family comedy shows as well as children’s shows, children’s
parties and festivals.

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How did Zoe come about?

Zoe was “born” in July 2013, I wanted to show a crowd of people funny pictures of
my dogs and so created a character who would do such a thing. The feedback from
the dog slide show was “drop the pictures keep the character”. Since then Zoe has
gone from strength to strength.