This Is Guernsey

By Globe reporter Emily Burden

Paul Tonkinson is currently performing at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and will headline Stand Up Guernsey. (0569509)

COMEDIAN and broadcaster Paul Tonkinson has been named as the headline act at this year’s Stand Up Guernsey comedy club as part of the Guernsey Festival of Comedy.

Tonkinson is well known for his time as host on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast, BBC 2’s The Sunday Show and more recently as a presenter on MTV and XFM. But it’s stand-up comedy for which he is increasingly in demand, headlining all the major UK venues and frequently touring overseas. He leads his audience on a tour of the differences in male and female logic and can take the mickey out of almost every region in Britain and further afield.

Festival co-organiser Nick Creed said he was delighted to be welcoming him to the island.

‘Paul is making a massive impact on the stand-up scene,’ he said.

‘We are sure the Guernsey audience are going to love him. He is currently in New Zealand for a three-week run of one-man shows for the entire length of the NZ International Comedy Festival. Attracting a name such as Paul helps build the island’s reputation as an international comedy venue.’

Three other A-list comedians join Tonkinson for this year’s Stand Up Guernsey show – Vlaldimir McTavish, Janice Phayre and compere Dominic Frisbee.

McTavish is one of the most popular and successful of the modern-day Scottish comedians. His recent show at the Edinburgh Fringe, Sixty Things Scotland Gave the World, was a critically acclaimed sell-out.

Phayre is an Irish comedienne who, despite her impish charm, is a force to be reckoned with. She includes as much naughtiness in her act as she can get away with.

Frisbee is a veteran with almost ten years on the circuit and three full-length Edinburgh shows. He started out as a character comedian, making his name with a multitude of silly characters including the Upper-Class Rapper, Ludwig, the Bavarian, and Morris, the Morris Dancer. He has performed at every major UK comedy club and many overseas venues.

Stand Up Guernsey, which is sponsored by Gestetner, takes place at Les Rocquettes Hotel from 11-14 June, with an additional late show on Friday and Saturday.

The Guernsey Festival of Comedy runs from 6-14 June and contains a range of entertainment to suit a variety of tastes. A gala launch night at the Farmhouse Hotel on Friday 6 June also features comedy-club-style entertainment. Four of the top names on the international stand-up circuit, Valentine F, Rex Boyd, Andrew Roper and Kevin Hayes, will be in Guernsey for one night only. The evening includes a drinks reception and a curry supper.

• Further details on all the events at this year’s Guernsey Festival of Comedy are available at www.happyguernsey.com. Tickets will be on sale exclusively online from tomorrow. With the festival last year being a sell-out event, getting yours early this year is highly advised.