Mirth Control believes that managing comedians is a position of great responsibility and with that in mind we have made sure that we have signed artists in whose work we have huge belief and a passion for. We work closely with our artists to ensure that their careers grow at a pace and a direction with which they are happy. Ben Davids - Bryan Lacey - Paddy Lennox - Trevor Lock - Ricky Grover - Anthony King - Jay Sodagar - James Redmond - Mickey Sharma - Paul Ricketts - Stan Stanley - Vince Atta -
Ricky Grover Multi-award winning comedian, actor and writer Ricky Grover has an impressive list of TV & film credits and is a hugely popular and explosive act, on both the national and international comedy circuit. Born and bred in the East End of London, Ricky was an ex champion boxer and hairdresser before taking the comedy scene by storm. On the comedy circuit Ricky is best known and loved for his comic character 'Bulla' (gangster and social commentator). Bulla also appeared as a regular guest on - The 11 o'clock Show and was interviewed by Michael Parkinson (YouTube). Bulla continues to be an opinion former, writing a monthly column in Front magazine and 'Bulla' the film is currently in production. As well as comedy clubs and corporate appearances Ricky is in demand on the Armed Forces Comedy Circuit, regularly playing from our Troops abroad.
A prolific writer, Ricky has written and starred in three short films, receiving international acclaim. The UK released 'Punch' won him the prestigious Silver Bear Award and 'Hungry' (broadcast on Channel 4) won him the Best Actor Award at the Brest Film Festival. His latest film, 'Therapy', is currently in production. GUARDIAN: Absolute knockout! THE SUN: Hilarious EVENING STANDARD: Thank God for Ricky Grover! INDEPENDANT ON SUNDAY: Ricky Grover, born and bred in London's East End, is probably one of the funniest men I have ever seen... Live comedy includes...it's probably easier to write where Ricky hasn't played...pretty well nowhere...
Television including: TV's Hardest Men: SKY ONE 2008 Pro Coach: CBBC - 2007 Back in Business: BBC2 - 2007 I Love The C Word: BBC3 - 2007 Confessions of the Beauty Trade: ITV1 - 2006 F*** Off I'm Fat: BBC3 (presenter) 2006 Black Books: Channel 4 IF: BBC2 TV To Go: BBC 1 Celebrity Punch - Ups: E4 (presenter) Jousting: Channel 4 (presenter) 'Orrible: BBC 2 Bulla Meets Parkinson: BBC 2 11 O'Clock Show (Bulla): Channel 4 Stand Up Show: BBC 1 Brian Connolly, ITV All the Way To Worcester (Spoof documentary), Channel 4 Friday Night Armistice, BBC2 Later Than You Think, BBC1 Comedy Nation: BBC back to top	Films include: Tony (for Sundance Film Festival) 2007 Cargo Revolver Love Honour and Obey Punch Hungry Awards: Silver Bear Award Best Actor for 'Punch' Brest Film Festival Best Actor for 'Hungry' Festivals: Edinburgh 2002 - sell out show and tour Glastonbury Festival Reading Festival
Anthony King 'The gags get better and better' - William Cook, The Guardian Anthony King is an outwardly normal looking bloke who turned to comedy after he was disowned by the Catholic Church for confessing in too much detail. Having finally found a use for his twisted sense of humour, Anthony has gone on to perform at all the major comedy clubs across the UK and beyond, including performances in the Netherlands, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Anthony's devilishly droll deadpan humour, masterful timing and delivery of a stream of one-liners combine to make him one of the most polished performers on the circuit. His act is a combination of his own true-life experiences mixed in with a whole bunch of lies.
Anthony's gigs have not been confined to the small stage; he has also made numerous appearances on TV. These include Granada's MAD FOR IT, Meridian's HOUSE OF FUN, UK Gold's LIVE AT JONGLEURS and he also took part in a live internet broadcast called LIVE FROM LONDON. As well as his stand-up performances, Anthony is also well known for his writing skills. Credits include a sketch show for Granada, a series of bizarre short stories and a pilot sitcom for Radio 4. Anthony was also chosen to be part of THE COMEDY FACTORY, which was a team of writers brought together by Carlton and KDR Productions to develop and script various ideas for television. Projects included a sketch show, a quiz show, a cabaret show, a sitcom and a very tongue-in-cheek documentary. After being approached by the city council, Anthony has been setting up courses of comedy workshops in his hometown of Leicester. These workshops have been running since 2003, have proved to be hugely popular and have already produced comedians that have gone on to perform to critical acclaim, both nationwide and locally. CHORTLE: 'It's the one-liners that set him apart. Sparse, efficient, unexpected - and often with a delicious twinge of underlying nastiness - each one is an elegant example of perfect joke construction.' BBC LONDON LIVE: 'King of the one-liners' THE GUARDIAN: '(His one-liners) condense an entire sketch into a single sentence' THE SCOTSMAN: 'Outstanding is Anthony King, an elegantly mournful figure whose timing and delivery of a stream of one-liners and non-sequiteurs are masterly.' back to top
James Redmond James Redmond is a dry, slick and subtle stand up who delivers unexpected twists and turns during his set as he deconstructs his art. He has a track record as a model and actor and is best known for seminal roles in Hollyoaks (C4) and Casualty (BBC1) as well as having presented CD UK alongside Cat Deeley. He has appeared as a guest on Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC2), Celebrity Who wants to be a Millionaire (ITV1) and Soccer AM (Sky 1). James has now done over 120 gigs in his first 10 months of stand up throughout the UK at venues that include The Comedy Store, Conan O'Brien's 'The Tonight Show' Talent Search (as MC), Jongleurs Camden, The BBC Club, Guernsey Comedy Festival, Exeter Comedy Festival, Bristol Comedy Festival and Bristol, Bath & Huddersfield Universities.
He has appeared at Amused Moose Soho, Bracknell Comedy Cellar, The 100 Club, Rawhide: Liverpool, The Funny Side of Covent Garden, The Ginglik & Swindon Old Vic Theatre, and at a range of clubs for Mirth Control. James also runs and is resident MC at a charity comedy club in Hampstead and has hosted charity events at Shoreditch House, Bristol Cathedral & the Indigo O2. He will be making his debut at the Edinburgh Festival this year in a show called The One and The Many written and directed by fellow comic Trevor Lock. back to top
Jay Sodagar Jay terms his comedy as Social Conscience Comedy, this genre underlines observational, political and straight stand-up. He likes to make people think about his material after they've laughed. He was heavily involved with Comedy Improvisation, as part of the first all Asian Impro Team, which now tours Canada and the US. Writing is a passion and as well as writing a sketch show that is currently being viewed by several TV companies he is working on a feature length film script. A short film he made got to the through to final of a major short film competition. In the little spare time he has, Jay teaches Stand-up comedy. He has appeared everywhere from tiny comedy clubs to large theatres and on television at home and abroad; France, Croatia, New York and LA.
BBC: 'What night would not be complete without the razor sharp acerbic wit of Jay Sodagar?'” JEAN LYNCH (Director of 2 Days Laughter Film Festival): Very Very Funny, a film-maker in the making” TIMEOUT MAGAZINE: Amusing and Funny” EASTERN EYE: Side-splittingly funny Live comedy includes: The Comedy Store, Downstairs at the Kings Head, Bloomsbury Theatre, Banana Cabaret, Bearcat Comedy Club, Comedy Café, Hackney Empire, Late n Live (Edinburgh) TV Credits: BBC New Comedy Awards Semi Finals (Birmingham) 2000 (BBC Choice) BBC Mega Mela Malai Comedy Cream of Asian Comedy 2001 (BBC 2 and BBC Choice) BBC Mega Mela Malai Comedy 3 Cream of Asian Comedy 2002 (BBC 2 and BBC Choice) Look East - Asian Magazine Program 2003 (BBC 2 Midlands) Whats up at the Edinburgh Fringe?  2007 back to top
Mickey Sharma Book him now while he's cheap and naive, because in 6 months time you won't be able to touch him: Alex Boardman Star of the future and future is so near, I can touch it: Steve Harris Mickey is a newcomer to the world of comedy but don't let that put you off, with his storytelling to an energetic beat-boxing set he'll have you throwing your hands up Banghra style and head bobbing in your seat in no time. Mickey is already proving a popular choice in comedy competitions. Bath Comedy Festival New Act of the Year - 2010 Beat the Frog, Frog and Bucket, Manchester -  2010 Winner Winner's Final Funhouse Comedy 09-10
Winner: Should I stay Should I go Funhouse comedy November & December 2009 Winner: King Gong January 2010 Semi Finalist: FHM Stand Up Hero 2009 5 Time King Gong finalist at the Comedy Store (in as many appearances) We'll be seeing big things from Mickey in the next 12 months. Watch this space! back to top
Paul Ricketts THREE WEEKS: Ricketts excels as a natural story-teller, with an amusing eloquence that would make you smile even if he was the one telling you that your granny's just died... Paul tried his hand as a musician, playwright, pornographer, chimney sweep, stage hand and primary school teacher before turning to stand-up comedy on the advice of his therapist. His black, sub - urban humour on everyday, topical and satirical subjects is now in demand. In 2006 Paul co-hosted his first Edinburgh fringe show - 'Peter Friends' at the Roxy Art House. A year later he was part of a late night show as part of the Laughing Horse free festival, performed at the Smirnoff Underbelly and MC-d 'Pretty Dirty Things' which received a four star review from ONE4REVIEW.COM.
In 2008 Paul hosted 'Up The Arts Comedy Lock-In' to packed audience as part of the PBH Free Fringe and performed his first solo hour show 'Paul Ricketts & Buff Wood - Wood Pushers' awarded five stars from THREE WEEKS. Live comedy including: Comedy Store, Just The Tonic, Outside the Box, Comedy Café, Downstairs At The Kings Head, Bearcat Comedy, Falling Down With Laughter, Fun @ The Funhouse - Paul is also the regular MC at Up The Arts comedy clubs, TIME OUT (2008) Always amusing... ADAM BLOOM (2007) Great gags! ED BYRNE (2008) A really funny comic! ONE4REVIEW.COM (2007) Innovative style of comedy...gentle but amusing novel opening set ANNE ROBINSON (2007) A Love God PETERSFIELD POST (2008) Well above the standard!!! back to top
Stan Stanley DAILY TELEGRAPH: Stan and Deliver! Stan Stanley can shake a crowd with his energetic pace THE STAGE: Smart and shameless the crowd devour his observations on popular culture CHORTLE: With timing Accurist would be proud of... Since becoming runner up of the Daily Telegraph Open Mike Award 2002 and making a big impact at the Edinburgh Fringe 2003 ("Simply Class" - Fest), Stan has become a firm favourite on the comedy circuit. Stan is a warm and genial comic with brilliant timing, who delivers smart, satirical observations that have more of an edge than their light-hearted handling and delivery suggest.
Most recently Stan has supported Russell Howard on his 2009 tour leading to him landing the job of TV warm up on Russell's BBC show Russell Howard's Good News. In 2004 Stan was invited to perform in the prestigious 'Britcom Show' at the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. His appearance was so successful that the festival extended his stay. 'Stan Stanley was the triumph of the night'  - Chortle review of the Britcom Show. A prolific writer, Stan has written sketches for radio and television including two series of 'Man Stroke Woman' for BBC3 (which later transferred to BBC2), 'Blunder' for Channel 4 and 'Parsons and Naylor's Big Pullout section' on BBC Radio 4. Stan is also developing a radio sketch show with his wife Nina Conti, and making further inroads into TV and radio, through both his writing and performance.
Television appearances include:  Arthur Smith's Comedy Club - ITV 2009 Raymann is Laat - TV Netherland 2004  BBC New Comedy Awards, BBC3 2002 Radio appearances include:  Spanking New, BBC Radio 7 Festivals include:  Edinburgh 2009, 2003 Glastonbury Festival 2004 & 2005  The Montreal Comedy Festival 2004  Tours include: Supporting Russell Howard on his national tour 2009 Supporting Lee Mack on his national tour in 2005 back to top	Plus performances at The Glee Club in Cardiff & Birmingham, Jongleurs, The Komedia - Brighton,  The Stand - Edinburgh & Glasgow,  The Comedy Store, Mirth Control clubs and Student Unions. Overseas - Rotterdam, Brussels, Zurich, Jersey, Montreal and Bahrain. Awards: Runner up in the Daily Telegraph Open Mike Award 2002  Semi finalist of the BBC New Comedy Awards 2002
Vince Atta It's fair to say that everything Vince Atta touches turns to gold. His high-octane performances, stunning delivery & flawless array of impressions leave you short of breath. With a broad, wonderful spectrum of material ranging from students, Spanish horses in a kitchen, psychotic London ex-girlfriends, pointless racial pride & the advantages of an alcoholic mother, Atta brings an inspiring touch of pathos which demonstrates an unerring ability to turn experience into bullet proof comedy.
His festival shows 'Atta, Bowman & Hoo' (2005) & "Atta, Bowman & Hoo 2" (2006) were both among the most successful shows in their respective Manchester Comedy Festivals. Both included Vince's hour-long headline performance. They were referred to by ManchesterComedy.com as "a blinder in terms of every aspect of making a successful festival show." In October 2006 Vince won the much-coveted 'City Life Comedian Of The Year' Award. Previous recipients include Peter Kay, Caroline Aherne, Chris Addison, Jason Manford & Seymour Mace. As well as having an award winning set, Vince is an excellent compere employed not just on the comedy scene but for a wide range of events including Emergenza's prestigious Battle Of The Bands competition 2006 performing in front of 1500 people & hosting the Middlesbrough Mixed Martial Arts Tournament 2006. An unstoppable force, forging a brilliant rapport with the audience...like an intravenous shot of adrenaline! - Steve Bennett Chortle reviews Star of the future. Fact. - Student Direct He sparkles- he's energetic, animated with a gift for characterisations - Unity An instant crowd pleaser, his infectious enthusiasm & multi-faceted approach, anecdotes, stories, observations gave the evening a new dimension, his set is very, very impressive... - Student Direct A set to be proud of...City Life Magazine Atta Boy! - South Manchester Reporter Competitions: Winner City Life Comedian Of The Year 2006/7 Winner Beat The Frog World Series 2005 (Frog & Bucket) Winner The Frogs Bollox 2005 (Frog & Bucket)  (History making Double Winner!) Winner Comedy Café New Act night April 2005 Laughing Horse Finalist 2005 Winner Get Ribbed Final 2004 Three time King Gong Winner Comedy Store 2004 Runner up King Gong King of Kings 2004 Corporates: Benefit gig for FC United Of Manchester Annual staff meal for Royal Bank Of Scotland Abroad: Barcelona Jersey (not strictly abroad but it still counts!) Other: Compere for Emergenza Battle Of The Bands competition 2006 Compere for Middlesbrough Mixed Martial Arts Tournament 2006 Film/TV work The Flat (BBC3 sitcom) 24 hour Party People (Michael Winterbottom) Getting Off (Tripper 42 films) Guest on "City Centre Social" (Channel M) Guest on "4 Manchester" (Channel M) Guest on "I love Manchester" (Channel M) Radio work Guest on Becky Want's Afternoon Show (BBC Radio Manchester) back to top