Inder Manocha

STAND-UP COMEDIAN/ACTOR

"A thorough delight from start to finish" Time Out

Winner of the EMMA Award Best Comedy/Comedian 2004

Since appearing on the comedy circuit in September 2000, Inder Manocha has established himself as one of the hottest talents on the international stand-up scene. He has caught the spirit of our times with his devilishly funny observations about multiculturalism, integration and the clash of civilisations in the 21st century. His incisive wit has won him acclaim both at home and abroad.

"skilfully surfed the wave of acceptability" The Telegraph on-line

"… no doubt the star of the East Coast Radio HaHa Comedy Showcase…" Tribune Herald, South Africa, July 2003

As an actor, in 2008 Inder appeared in Madonna's directorial debut 'Filth and Wisdom' which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.  He was also in the second series of the sitcom 'Pulling' (BBC3).  In 2007, Inder appeared in E4's 'SKINS' playing the father (Ishtiak) of one of the leading characters. In 2006, he appeared in two episodes of 'Holby City' (BBC1) and in a new sitcom 'Dogtown' on BBC3. The previous year, Inder was seen in BBC1's three-part adaptation of Meera Syal's novel 'Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee' as well as 'Waking the Dead', and shot his first feature film 'The Blue Tower' for Monkey in Heaven Films.

Inder continues to play all the major comedy venues across the country, from the Comedy Store to Jongleurs to the Hackney Empire. He has made successful appearances with the Comedy Store's critically acclaimed 'Cutting Edge' team (improvised comedy on topical issues). He has also made his mark in places as varied as Poland, Germany, Belgium, The United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Singapore. In 2004 his achievements were acknowledged when he won the EMMA (Ethnic, Multicultural Media Award) in the category of Best Comedy/Comedian, beating Lenny Henry, Meera Syal and Three Non-Blondes. He has been interviewed for many publications, including Time Out, The Scotsman, Catalyst and Aesthetica.

In 2006, Inder performed his debut full-length show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 'Unpronounceable', at the Pleasance Courtyard.

"… [Manocha] perfectly captures Britain's infatuation with ethnic integration. Elaborate and engaging, this is a perceptively witty show… conjuring up a belly full of laughs with sharp-shooting cultural observations… when his feisty spirit is fully unleashed, this is one of the hottest platefuls around." Three Weeks, August 2006

Appearances

Television credits
Pulling, BBC3, 2008
Voiceover, CNN, 'Inside the Middle East'. 2008
'Masterpieces of Vienna: Freud's Couch', BBC 4 (guest contributor) 2007
SKINS, E4, 2007
Inside Out, BBC documentary, 2006
Holby City, BBC1, 2006
Dogtown, BBC3, 2006
Waking the Dead, BBC1, 2005
Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee, BBC 1, 2005
The Heaven and Earth Show, BBC2, 2005
Desi DNA, BBC2, 2005
The Comedy Store, Paramount Channel, 2004
Mega Mela Malai, BBC2, 2001

Radio Credits
The Language of Laughter, Radio 4, 2007 (discussing performing comedy abroad)
How Do You Make It Stand Up?, BBC Asian Network, 2007 (discussing the British-Asian comedy scene)
Beyond Belief, Radio 4, 2006 (discussing religion and comedy)
Sandi Toksvig Show, LBC, Radio 4, 2005 (regular guest)
Freudian Slips, Radio 4, 2005 (discussing Freud's theory of jokes)
The Ticket, Radio 4, Christmas Day 2004
The Vanessa Feltz Show, BBC London, 2004 and 2005
Roland Rivron Show, LBC, 2003

Feature Films
Filth and Wisdom, Semtex Films, 2008 (directed by Madonna)
The Blue Tower, Monkey in Heaven Films, 2005 (to be released)

TV Warm-Ups
The Kumars at No 42, BBC 2, 2005

Festivals
Debut full-length show, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Festival, 2006
Leicester Comedy Festival, 2006
Guildford Comedy Festival, 2006
The Diversity Comedy Show, Krakow, Poland, arranged by the British Council, 2004
Best of the Fest, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Festival, 2004
GLA Respect Festival, 2004
Best of the Fest, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Festival, and the Bloomsbury Theatre, 2003
GLA Respect Festival, 2003
India's Kings of Comedy, Natal Opera House, Durban, South Africa, 2003
Haha Comedy Festival, Natal Opera House, Durban, South Africa, 2003
Leicester Comedy Festival, 2003
So You Think You're Funny? new acts final, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Festival, sponsored by Channel 4, 2001
Best of the Hackney Empire New Acts of the Year, Edinburgh Festival, 2001

Corporate and other Appearances
Benefit show at The Comedy Store for ‘The Friends of the Citizenship Foundation’, 2007
Comic Relief Multi Faith Show, March 2007
Black History Month, University of the Arts, London, October 2006
The Indian Workers Association, Leamington Spa, October 2005
The Magic Bus Charity Evening, Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London, October 2005
The Black Country Asian Business Awards, September 2005
British Curry Awards, Grosvenor House Hotel, London Sept 2005
Asian Jewel Awards, London July 2005
Asian Jewel Awards in Birmingham, May 2005 & 2006
Asian Jewel Awards in Manchester, February 2005 & 2006
Benefit Gala for the Orphans of Sri Lanka, UCL Bloomsbury Theatre, January 2005
‘Beating Bowel Cancer' benefit gig at the Comedy Store 2004
The Institute of Asian Business, International Convention Centre, Birmingham, 2004
Girton College, Cambridge University Ball 2004
St Catherine’s College, Cambridge University Ball 2004
MCA Directors Annual Dinner Dec 2003 – Wokingham
Guys & Gags, Waterman’s Art Centre, Brentford December 2003
Bruce Almighty DVD Launch at The Comedy Store, December 2003
Barclays Cultural Diversity Event, October 2003
Robinson College Ball, Cambridge University, 2003
Blue Monday Club, Berlin, 2003
Refugee Artists Benefit, Stratford East Theatre 2003
Trinity College Ball, Cambridge University, 2002

Comedy Clubs
Inder regularly appears in major comedy venues in the UK and beyond and include:
Comedy Store (London, Manchester, Phillipines, Hong Kong, Qatar, United Arab Emirates.) Jongleurs (& Jongleurs on the Road), Comedy Café, Up the Creek, The Banana in Balham, The Bearcat, Bound & Gagged venues, Hampstead Comedy Club, Belfast Empire, Buzz Club Manchester, Comedy Box Bristol, Comedy Cavern Bath, Komedia Brighton and The Other Side York.

Reviews

“...it was time for the undoubted star of the show Inder Manocha, known to TV viewers for his work on Channel 4’s ‘Skins’. His was a masterclass in observational comedy...the audience lapped it up, and it is an act which deserves the widest possible stage”. Lancashire Telegraph, 2007

“Filth and Wisdom, a sprawling comedy, is a celebration of London’s ethnic stew... Inder Manocha’s weary Indian chemist has arguably the best moments of comedy. When he’s not ogling his shapely assistant (the beautiful and pure McClure), he is shouted at by his Indian wife....”  The Times. (Review of ‘Filth and Wisdom’, Madonna’s directorial debut) 2008

“…this was the highlight of my Edinburgh festival… Inder’s slick, confident and unbelievably smooth style was great to watch… clever, informed and hilarious... Pure Class.” www.Funny.co.uk

“This is a chance to see a wealth of new British talent, all in the same night. …Inder Manocha has no fear in tackling issues from the war in Iraq, to the secrets behind cornershops in Britain…Bright Sparks are shining stars.” - Bright Sparks, Edinburgh Fringe 2003 4-stars Three Weeks

“…imaginative and brilliantly funny Inder Manocha, a rapidly rising star who pokes fun at big-booted racists while exposing the truth behind Bollywood movies” Camberley News

“Inder Manocha... skilled and stylish set” Manchester Online

"The exceptional Inder Manocha delivers his dynamic and damning interpretation of contemporary issues….has the priceless ability to make an audience laugh at the thorny issue of race and provides a refreshing tonic in the current climate." - Lewes Argus

“At last, an Anglo-Asian stand-up not afraid to wrestle with the big questions. Like, why is there no one on the Starship Enterprise called Patel?” - William Cook, Guardian Guide – Critics Choice January 2005

"Among this year's highlights at Best of the Fest... was a hugely successful set from Inder Manocha, who went down a storm in front of the 600-strong crowd."  The Scotsman, 2003