Step into the Spotlight with Shoe Cake Comedy's
'Stockton On Tee-Hee's' Stand-Up Comedy Course!
Have you ever dreamed of performing on stage?
Writing your own jokes?
Delivering them to a laughing audience?
Or simply building the confidence to take that first step into the spotlight?
Join us for Shoe Cake Comedy’s 'Stockton On Tee-Hee's' stand-up comedy course at the stunning Warehouse Kitchen & Bar in Stockton. We hold the course upstairs in the Star Wars themed 'Hangar 7'.
THE NEXT COURSE WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY 3RD 2025
This is your chance to dive into the world of comedy with guidance from seasoned professionals in a supportive and fun environment.
Why Sign Up?
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Comprehensive Training: Over the course of 6 Mondays (and 1 Sunday evening), you’ll learn the ins and outs of stand-up comedy, from joke writing to stage presence, all while enjoying a safe and respectful environment that encourages self-expression.
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Expert Tutoring: Each session is led by experienced stand-up comedians and an award-winning promoter, providing you with top-notch training and insights.
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Community and Fun: Meet new friends, boost your confidence, and take the first steps on the stand-up ladder, all while having a great time.
Who Can Join? Whether you’re a complete newbie or someone looking to fine-tune your act, this course is designed for all levels of experience. You’ll receive tailored support and guidance at a pace that suits your own confidence and ability.
Course Highlights:
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Practical Learning: Each week, you’ll work through a carefully tailored program to develop and perform a 3-5 minute stand-up set.
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Performance Opportunity: At the end of the course, you’ll have the option to perform your set live on the Hangar 7 stage - home to our monthly comedy night.
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Invite your friends and family to witness your comedic debut or support your peers from the audience.
Venue: The workshops are held in Hangar 7 - offering a perfect setting to nurture your comedic talents.
The address is: The Warehouse Kitchen & Bar, Unit 10, Navigator Court, Preston Farm Ind Est, Stockton On Tees. TS18 3TQ. (Next to Makro and Soccer Sensations)
Free onsite parking. If you don't drive, please check out public transport routes before booking your place.
Note: The course agenda is under review and may undergo slight changes, but the dates are fixed.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to step into the world of comedy. Sign up now and take the first step towards becoming the comedian you’ve always wanted to be!
Week 1 - Monday Feb 3rd - 6:30pm - 8:30pm/9pm
Setting expectations
Basic joke structure
Writing your first joke
Stage positioning/mic control
Performing it on stage!
Bit of homework for week 2
Week 2 - Monday Feb 10th - 6:30pm - 8:30pm/9pm
Dealing with distraction
Heckling
Writing techniques
Stage time & feedback
Homework for week 3
Week 3 - Monday Feb 17th - 6:30pm - 8:30pm/9pm
Finding your own style
Playing sensible, not safe
Joke thieves
Stage time & feedback
Homework for week 4
Week 4 - Monday Feb 24th - 6:30pm - 8:30pm/9pm
Different roles in comedy
MC-ing
Improv & sketch comedy
Stage time & feedback
Homework for week 5
Week 5 - Monday March 3rd - 6:30pm - 8:30pm/9pm
Improv & sketch comedy
Stage time & feedback
A performance from a professional comedian - Q&A – Ask them anything!
Homework for week 6
Week 6 - Monday March 10th - 6:30pm - 8:30pm/9pm
Tweaking & Practicing your new set
Week 6 - GRADUATION SHOW - Sunday March 16th - 6pm - 8pm
A live show at the fabulous Hangar 7 where you get to showcase your set in front of an audience made up of friends and family members. The show is not for sale to the general public.
BONUS: Week 7 - Monday March 17th - NO SESSION
EMAIL FROM SHOE CAKE COMEDY
Email contains advice and answers to :
What to do next?
Applying for gigs?
Comedy etiquette?
The graduation show is held inside the Warehouse Kitchen & Bar. This is where you invite all your friends and family along to see you perform. Tickets are just £3 which helps cover a few costs on the night and also helps if we have any no shows. The tickets did used to be free but we found that once the event had "sold out" some audience members didn't show.
Each act will also receive:
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A downloadable link to a recording of their graduation set
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A graduation certificate
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An advice sheet email on what to do next / how and where to keep performing comedy
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2 Free tickets to a Shoe Cake Comedy Show in Stockton or Middlesbrough.
Meet your Lead Tutor
Fran Garrity is a local comedian from Middlesbrough who also hosts weekend radio shows on Zetland FM.
Fran has had sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019 for the Best in Class showcase.
Writing credits for BBC radio - Including "Jesting About" and "Grin up North".
Selected for BBC New comedy awards and been warm up tour support for Jason Manford, Chris McGlade, & Troy Hawke's 2024 'Work in Progress' Show.
Fran also has three top solo shows of his own under his belt - Secret Agent Fran, Faith Hope & Garrity and Fifty/50.
A new show called 'Since When!?' is currently in preview status.
Fran has worked with and for Buzz Comedy, Felt Nowt, Kill for a Seat, Shoe Cake Comedy, Laughing Pug, Manford's Comedy Clubs, Hilarity Bites, Mirth Control, Hull Comedy Lounge ... just to name a few.
Fran is an demand comedian on the UK comedy circuit and his knowledge and experience is invaluable.
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Pic by Andy Hollingworth (c)
Pic by Andy Hollingworth (c)
"He Smashed it"
Jason Manford
"Fran Garrity had a bit more 'bite' than most on the bill, and the crowd took to it with energy. His self-deprecating stuff about his Teesside heritage was gritty and punchy, backed up with a
keenness in observation and a good turn-of-phrase"
The Stand (Newcastle)
Meet your Organiser & Co-tutor
Phil Allan-Smith is an experienced comedy promoter, actor, improviser, podcaster, and multi award winning comedian. With over 7 years industry knowledge as a comedy promoter and 10 years experience as a performer, Phil’s knowledge within the comedy sector can help new acts move in the right direction and avoid making any of the obvious and easily made mistakes.
Phil is the owner of Shoe Cake Comedy and produces pro and semi-pro comedy nights all over the north. He performs in award winning double act 'The Halls Of Ridiculous', and occasionally as Middlesbrough character act 'Ted Hanky'. Phil is also a member of the award winning improvisation group 'The Discount Comedy Checkout' who were recently nominated for ‘Best Kids Show’ at The Leicester Comedy Festival.
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Pic by Andy Hollingworth (c)
Phil took his debut sketch show 'The Halls of Ridiculous' (which he performs in with fellow comedian Chris Lumb) up to the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe and received a number of plaudits including a 5 star review from Ed Fringe Review who described the show as "A Euphoric experience, the best show of the fringe".
In 2023 'The Halls of Ridiculous' won two prestigious comedy awards, 'Best Alternative Act' in the Yorkshire Comedy Awards, and 'Southport Comedian of the Year'.
The Halls of Ridiculous have been supporting Russell Kane on his 2024 tour show 'Hyperactive' and also touring the world gigging regularly on a couple of luxurious cruise ships as fly on entertainers.
Phil regularly works for a number of popular comedy promoters such as Hilarity Bites, Really Funny Comedy, Comedy in a Van, Comedy Hotspot, The Hull Comedy Lounge, Buzz Comedy, Laughing Pug, Hull Comedy, Nodding Dog Comedy, and The Comedy Village.
Phil's TV credits include BBC1 show ‘This is My House’ (with Stacey Dooley) and he has also popped up on our screen in roles with John Malcovich and Rupert Grint in 'Poirot - The ABC Murders', 'Storage Hunters UK', 'Bulletproof' on Sky One, and numerous TV gameshows and radio programmes.
“An excellent promoter who develops and progresses
acts as much as possible… really knows his stuff”
Fran Garrity, Comedian and Broadcaster
"Very Talented, very funny indeed"
Gary Philipson, BBC Radio Tees
“Very good indeed … Phil is a Doyle”
Vaun Earl Norman, Vic & Bob’s Big Night Out
"... a splendid approach to production, vibes of Reeves & Mortimer"
★★★★★ Podcast Radio
" The best show of the Fringe so far "
★★★★★ EdFringeReview
The Cost
Introductory cost for the 7 week programme is
£140 per person (plus ticket platform booking fee) - paid in full ahead of sign up
Limited Spaces Available
THE NEXT COURSE WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 3RD 2025
THE NEXT COURSE AFTER THIS ONE WILL BE OCTOBER 2025
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IF YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS ONE YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR OUR
NEXT COURSE DATES BY BY EMAILING THE BELOW ADDRESS.
EMAIL US AT: shoecakecomedy@gmail.com
Terms and Conditions
Please book early as the course only has limited places
The Shoe Cake Comedy Course Refund Policy:
£25.00 of your course fee is a non-refundable deposit to cover our admin costs.
30 days before the course start date - full refund (minus non-refundable £25)
Within 30 - 15 days of course start date - 50% course fee refund (minus non-refundable £25)
Within 14 days of course start date - no refund.
In certain circumstances we may be able to transfer you to another course date if required. Please speak to us in advance.
If you miss a week or more - we can not refund any amounts for non attendance.
Rules
The course is an inclusive course and we want everyone to feel happy and welcome.
We encourage your behaviour to be respectful of the other attendees. Your material you will write and perform is allowed to be a little rude, cheeky, tongue in cheek ... thats comedy ... but we don't accept any material or behaviour that is overly offensive, racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic ... etc.. you get the idea!
We will operate an open door policy and you can come and talk to the tutors anytime if you have any concerns.
By booking a place on this comedy course you are agreeing to the refund and rules policy.
We reserve the right to refuse enrolment to people we feel will not adhere to the above rules and we reserve the right to remove people from the course if they do not adhere to the above rules.
Age Limit:
You need to be 18 years old or over to join this stand-up comedy course or be 16/17 with parent/guardian permission.
GRADUATION SHOW
FILMED AT THE GEORGIAN THEATRE IN STOCKTON ON TEES
(please note, we no longer record the show here)
SUNDAY 29 MAY 2022
NB: VIDEO CONTAINS SOME BAD LANGUAGE