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Chris Addison

2003 CHORTLE BEST COMPERE AWARD
2002 BARRY HUMPHRIES AWARD NOMINEE
1998 PERRIER BEST NEWCOMER AWARD NOMINEE

Chris's polite brand of observational comedy has charmed and delighted audiences across the country, winning him hordes of loyal fans. A stunningly gifted performer, Chris began his career by winning the Northwest Comedian of the Year Award 1997, swiftly followed by an appearance in the legendary Comedy Zone at the 1997 Edinburgh Festival, and a Perrier Best Newcomer Award nomination for his debut solo show in Edinburgh the next year.

In spring 2002 Chris toured British universities with the Best of the Comedy Network Tour, as well as performing his solo show at theatres up and down the country and headlining at the most prestigious comedy clubs including The Comedy Store, The Stand and The Buzz Club.

In 2000 Chris was invited to appear at The Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, where he performed at the prestigious New Faces, and he has also performed twice at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival where in 2002 he was nominated for the coveted Barrie Humphries Award

"The best Stand Up I've seen" - The Observer

"Chris Addison's work gets better and better" - The Times

2003

· Commissioned to write for a new comedy series Revolver (BBC 1).

· Along with John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman, Chris creates The Department, a new political satire show to air on BBC Radio 4 later this year.

· Becomes a regular contributor to Weekend Guardian Jobs and Money supplement.

· Toured Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow with sell out Edinburgh Fringe Show, The Ape That Got Lucky.

· Chris won Best Compere at this year's Chortle Awards.


2002

· Co-hosted The State We Are In (BBC Choice), produced by Goodness Gracious Me producer Anil Gupta.

· Chris teamed up with Richard Herring and Harry Hill to co-write the first series of Harry Hill's TV Burp (ITV1), broadcast in November 2002.

· Commissioned to write and record a pilot for a new BBC Radio 4, The Department, a new political comedy show with John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman.

· Performed his sell out show The Ape That Got Lucky at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

· Hosted The Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award finals, the culmination of Britain's biggest comedy talent search.

· Following a hugely successful run with his solo show Port Out, Starboard Home, Chris was nominated for the Barry Humphries Award for Most Outstanding Festival Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April.

· Compered the semi-finals of The Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award.

· Headline act on The Comedy Network throughout the year.

· Headline act on The Best of The Comedy Network Tour, a national tour with Andy Zaltzman and Spencer Brown.


2001

· Performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August with his sell-out show Port Out, Starboard Home.

· Performed his solo show Cakes & Ale at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April.

· Recorded The Committee, a pilot for Channel 4.


2000

· Performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August with his sell-out show Cakes & Ale, where he also hosted The Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award final.

· Appeared at The Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, where he performed at Brit Com and the prestigious New Faces.

· Had his first major terrestrial television break hosting Dotcomedy (Channel 4), alongside Gail Porter. The show was a quirky look at the information superhighway, of which The Times said: "the funniest thing by some distance was Addison's pleasingly surreal explanation of how the internet really works, if the series has anything half as good, it will be worth shutting down the PC for."

· Co-wrote the final series of Channel 4's TFI Friday.

· Guest-hosted MTV's jukebox programme Select.


1999

· Hosted the semi-finals of The Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award.

· Performed his sell-out show Gentlemen, Scholar, Acrobat at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

· Whilst at the Edinburgh Festival, Chris also hosted The Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award grand final.


1998

· Returned to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his self-titled debut solo show. The event was described as "one of the best shows at this year's festival", The Daily Record and was nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award.

· Hosted The Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award semi-finals.

· Co-wrote and co-presented The Alphabet Show for digital channel PlayUK, alongside Lauren Laverne.

· Appeared on Gas, Channel 4's stand-up comedy show.


1997

· Starred in the prestigious The Comedy Zone, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival's critically acclaimed late night cabaret show.

· Appeared on Gas, Channel 4's stand-up comedy show.
· Appeared on The Comedy Network, which was broadcast on Channel 5.

WHAT THE PRESS HAS SAID:

THE APE THAT GOT LUCKY

"Addison is one of the most versatile comics on the circuit…[He] remains one of the Fringe's finest performers. Hurry and see him before he goes extinct." - Matt Warren, Scotsman ****

"His is an elevated brand of comedy." - Brian Logan, The Guardian ****

"Mr Addison is a consistent delight. As always a must-see." - Three Weeks *****

"If there was a comedy GCSE, Chris Addison would be a set text… It is extraordinary that he has not yet had the recognition he deserves in terms of awards, though his popularity with audiences continues to grow… He remains a relaxed performer confident enough to digress and banter with the audience." - Stephanie Merritt, The Observer

"He is pacy, energetic and his delivery is faultless." - Fest ****

"Addison's shows have become increasingly ambitious and increasingly funny…The boy is at the peak of his considerable power…Marvellous." - Stephen Armstrong, Sunday Times

"Addison has branched out - he's evolved! - and done so in fine style…I laughed my ass off like a baboon. ****" - Graeme Virtue, Sunday Herald

PORT OUT, STARBOARD HOME:

"Chris Addison's work gets better and better. This year's show is witty, wry and well structured." - The Sunday Times

"The best stand up I've seen. Anyone looking for a wittier, subtler, better-dressed and more charming version of Thatcher-era Ben Elton has found their man." - The Observer

"An intelligent, sympathetic performer. Very, very funny." - The Guardian

"An affable melange of comic anecdotes and half-baked theories on anything and everything." - The Daily Mail

"Probing comedy with a critical edge, making you think as much as it makes you laugh. Addison's rangey wit and caustic asides come with tumbling, delightful set pieces about childhood car games or moments of eccentricity. It's a performance full of class, in more ways than one." - The Stage

"Entertaining and intelligent in equal measure, Addison's ease with the audience is where the true measure of his talent becomes apparent. Beneath the rather natty linen suit beats the heart of a ruthlessly funny comedian." - Metro ****

"A refreshing hour of thoughtful, intelligent comedy." - Edinburgh Evening News

"If Addison can be this funny on just one topic for an hour, the potential elsewhere could be endless. Excellent." - The List ****

"Addison has once again come up with one show that contains enough brainy mirth for five. A truly instructional and imaginative brand of comedy." - The Herald

"A glittering comic intellect." - The Sunday Herald

CAKES & ALE:

"Downright hilarious…His stories reduced a packed crowd to tears of helpless laughter." - The Sunday Times

"He excels in comedic intelligence…Three hours of comedy packed into one." - The Guardian

"The sharpest, funniest, most whole-hearted show of the year." - The Express

GENERAL

"A fantastic and natural born performer." - Melody Maker

"His mastery of an audience is astonishing." - Comedy Review

"Sensational." - Time Out

"A class act in the making." - The Stage

"Such a nice boy." - The Guardian