The Comedy Store

The Plough Arts Centre is one of only nine UK venues to be chosen by The Comedy Store, London. 

With nearly 40 years’ experience in the business and as the premier name in comedy, The Comedy Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent, and remains the place to see tomorrow’s stars today. The likes of Eddie Izzard, John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Rhod Gilbert and Sarah Millican, have all cut their comedy teeth with us.

We bring you “The Best In Stand Up” from around the globe, showcasing the brightest names in comedy today.

Simply the funniest show you’ll see all year!

“Still the greatest and most influential comedy club on the planet.”Time Out

LINE UP:

Christian Reilly

Christian Reilly is a musical comedian, global comedy circuit headliner. He has appeared at numerous international comedy festivals, on BBC radio and TV, and in four series of the Chortle Award-winning stand-up and sketch show.
Christian’s first comedy gig was in the Perrier Award-winning show, Rich Hall is Otis Lee Crenshaw. Rich describes Reily as a “Funny sonofabitch”. “A charmingly confident performer, an accomplished musician and a clever comic… The funniest songs I have heard in a long time” - The Scotsman

Christian uses his dynamic guitar and vocal skills to target histrionic rock bands, musical theatre and morose indie musicians. He has performed at the Edinburgh Festival since 1999, his 2019 show Gig Economy received great reviews, and was released on DVD shortly after.

Joe Wells

Joe Wells made his name as a political comedian with critically acclaimed Fringe shows including 'Night Of The Living Tories', '10 Things I Hate About UKIP' and 'I Hope I Die Before I Start Voting Conservative', in recent years he has found online and live success with more personal material about mental health and being autistic.

Joe is a favourite amongst other comedians and has supported Frankie Boyle, Alexei Sayle and Stephen K Amos.

In 2020 Joe went viral with his stand up clip 'Joe Wells on having a non-autistic brother' which gained over 4.5 million views across Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok and YouTube. With more clips gaining views in the millions since Joe now has 135k social media followers across platforms.

In 2023 Joe embarked on his first solo tour selling out venues of up to 300.

Karen Bayley 

Brummie comedian & writer, Karen Bayley is the first ever female winner of the prestigious Comedy Store King Gong. The same year she reached the finals of the BBC New Comedy Award & The Babycham Funny Women Award.
Karen has a delightfully saucy, friendly and confident stage presence. Add her wit, and infectious giggle along with devastating one-liners, this combined certainly makes her a huge force to be reckoned with. she has been on the professional circuit now for over a decade, performing at only the best comedy clubs across the UK and beyond
Karen is passionate about sport, especially her beloved football team West Bromwich Albion. Regular radio appearances talking about rugby, motor racing and football led to Karen being nicknamed “Geezer Bird”.
“Bayley’s material surprised with inspired and sparkling punchlines .. With comic timing that is rarely less than brilliant.” - Steve Bennett, Chortle