Black History Month Special - Celebration Of Black Excellence

PIONEERS OF COMEDY meets NEXT GEN

SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2026

@ HACKNEY EMPIRE, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ

Doors Open 6.30pm / Show Starts 7.30pm Sharp

As more and more Black Comedians find major success on our television screens, we pay homage to those who paved the way and opened the doors for Black Comedy in the UK with the Pioneers Of Comedy by bringing you a massive superstar line up of Award winning stand-up comedians, television & radio presenters and actors. We also introduce the next generation of comedians where we have handpicked the funniest and best new comedians already doing big things on television, social media and the comedy circuit and are also signed to the same agencies as Mo Gilligan, Judi Love & Slim.

HOSTED BY:

EDDIE NESTOR (MBE): Presents a regular show on BBC Radio London, however is best known for his starring roles in The Real McCoy and Desmond's, as well as playing a small role in Trainspotting. In 2018 Eddie was awarded a MBE by Prince William.

ROBBIE GEE: Best known for his comedy roles in TV series like The Real McCoy with the most appearances, appearing in every episode, his Desmond's character "Lee Stanley" and BBC sitcom The Crouches. Robbie has gone on to have a very successful acting career with appearances in Guy Ritchie's blockbuster crime film Snatch, he also appeared in Mean Machine, Pirates of the Caribbean, Underworld and Dead Man Running (alongside 50 Cent) to name a few.

COMEDY BY:

SLIM: A comedy career that dates back to 1993, he is arguably one of the UK's biggest stand up stars and the undisputed king of the Black British comedy circuit award-winning career and was the first Black British act to perform at the Hollywood Comedy Store.

RICHARD BLACKWOOD: Starting his comedy career in 1993, but is probably more known for his television success. He got his first taste of television appearing on The Real McCoy doing a stand-up comedy set, then embarked on his successful television career presenting the UK version of Singled Out on Channel 5, he presented his own series, titled The Richard Blackwood Show on Channel 4. He was also a presenter on Top of the Pops and the MTV television show, MTV Select. Then pursued his acting career with appearances in Holby City, to becoming a main character in popular British soaps EastEnders (2015-2018) and Hollyoaks (2020-Present). Richard also had a short and successful music career with 2 top 10 UK Singles Chart with the songs "Mama Who Da Man" & "1.2.3.4 Get with the Wicked".

TOJU: Starting comedy in 1994 appearing on The Real McCoy, Toju television fame didn’t stop there. Between 2005 & 2008 he played a Militant Black Guy in popular Channel 4 TV Series 'Balls of Steel' and was Ant & Dec’s Golden Buzzer and Semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent 2014.

RUDI LICKWOOD: Truly one of the pioneers of the Black British comedy circuit, starting his comedy career in 1987, he was one of the first black comedians on the BBC’s The Stand Up Show Fresh, following of the back of a successful stand up appearance on The Real McCoy in 1991.

KOJO ANIM: From opening for Dave Chappelle at the Royal Albert Hall and Kevin Hart at Wembley Arena, performing on Nick Cannon's Wild n Out, getting a gold buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent and also getting to the finals, a nationally-renowned comedian with a comedy career spanning over 20 years. In the early 2000s he hosted his own comedy show, ‘Kojo’s Comedy Funhouse’ weekly giving exposure to some of the then young upcoming comedians that have gone on to establish themselves as some of the biggest names in comedy such as Mo Gilligan, Aurie Styla, Babatunde and many more.

NEXT GENERATION COMEDIANS

KYRAH GRAY: Starting her comedy career in 2019, her rise on the comedy circuit has been impactful and impressive from performing at Mo Gilligan’s Black British Takeover, as well as supporting Axel Blake, Guz Khan, Judi Love, Romesh Ranganathan and others on their tours.

DIESEL: Diesel’s talent has earned him well-deserved recognition, including being shortlisted for the prestigious BBC New Comedy Awards and being one of the best comedians at World Comedy Clash 2026, solidifying his place as one of the most exciting new voices in British comedy.

BAMPH: Best newcomer of 2025, he is one to watch with high praises from many established comedians calling him the “next big thing”.

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TICKET PRICES

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STALLS £38/£34 – DRESS CIRCLE £34/£30

UPPER CIRCLE £27 – GALLERY £18

To be seated together either tickets must be purchased together or email escapepr@gmail.com with all the full names of people that wish to be seated together. All tickets must be purchased via eventbrite.

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GENERAL INFO OR GROUPS OF 8 OR MORE CONTACT: 07967 304 210

PLEASE NOTE THAT NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN FOR LAST MINUTE COMEDIAN CHANGES. IF A COMEDIAN CAN NO LONGER MAKE IT DUE TO REASONS OUTSIDE OF THE PROMOTERS CONTROL THEY WILL BE REPLACED B

Description supplied by the event organiser.