Shropshire Star

Joe Lycett headlines comedy gig at Birmingham REP

Some of the very best comedians in the UK will join together on Sunday to raise money for the charity, Help Refugees.

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Joe Lycett

Fans can enjoy a top bill of acts at the Birmingham REP who will make people laugh in order to donate money towards aiding the current humanitarian crisis.

The line-up includes Birmingham-born Joe Lycett, who’s best known for his appearances on Live At The Apollo, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats and as the announcer on Epic Win.

Joe set the internet alive with his pansexuality and by declaring David Cameron ‘attractive’. His most recent solo tour was A-Ha A-Ha, Joe Lycett.

“What inspired the name? Ooh, a pun? Literally it’s got nothing to do with the show. The first show I did was called Some Lycett Hot and then the second was called, which is my personal favourite, If you Lycett Then You Should Have Put A Ring On It. This one seems to have been the most popular. I thought if I can make people laugh with the show title before they come then that’s a small victory.”

Joe is one of comedy’s only openly-bisexual figures.

“At first it was an opportunity to get out some gags. In this new show I try and delve into it and talk about what people’s perceptions are of bisexuality. In a funny way, not too heavy. I talk about pansexuality a little bit as well.

“I identify more now as pan. I didn’t know what that was until about a year or so ago. I was doing a gig and there was someone who described herself as hetero-romantic-pansexual which means she has relationships with men but she is sexually attracted to all genders.

“Gender is fluid and I think it’s absolutely fascinating so I talk about that a little bit in the show. I think it’s important some people do publicly go “Hey, I’m not straight and I’m not gay. I’m somewhere in the middle and that’s OK. Nobody really cares and it’s funny.

“It’s hard really because I don’t want to pitch myself as an ambassador for anyone. It’s quite cathartic in a very selfish way. I think it plays a part in my own processing of sexuality. If other people gain some comfort from it then that’s really exciting. I don’t see myself as some sort of flag-bearer for bi and pan issues. Sexuality is so personal and you can get caught up in making sweeping statements about everybody. That isn’t fair really.”

He will be joined by comedian, actor and radio presenter, Nish Kumar, who has hosted Newsjack on BBC Radio 4 Extra, as well as appearing on Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, Virtually Famous, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central, Sweat the Small Stuff, QI and The Alternative Comedy Experience.

Also on the bill is Tez Ilyas, who started his comedy career in 2010. Tez has appeared on Live From The BBC (BBC Two), Man Like Mobeen (BBC Three), Virtually Famous (E4), The Now Show (BBC Radio 4), @elevenish (ITV2) and The Funny Thing About . . . (Channel 5) as well as writing and starring in his own scripted comedy shorts for BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and Sky Arts.

They will feature with teacher-cum-comic Allyson June Smith, who has been tickling Canada’s comedy scene and she is now in the UK. Her credits include her own hour long Comedy Now special, appearances on CBC Radio’s hit show The Debaters, and the Winnipeg, Halifax and Just For Laughs Festivals. A multiple Canadian Comedy Award nominee for Best Female Stand-Up, she possesses a sassy blend of in-your-face stand-up and hilariously insightful commentary.

The final act is Mrs Barbara Nice, an ordinary housewife extraodinaire. Nice given up the domestic bliss of Tupperware and Poundstretcher shops for the unpredictability of the comedy circuit.