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Category: Comedy

Pascoe proves it was worth the wait

With some of the audience having bought their ticket last year, there were high expectations for the sold-out Comedy Night at the Corn Hall, keen to finally catch Sara Pascoe’s rescheduled headline slot. It was,… read more
Posted in Comedy

Obama's Elf has only seven teeth

For many people, not least Ben Langley himself judging by his website, he's best known for his misheard lyrics routine on Britain's Got Talent. For me, his TV career highlight was appearing in an entirely… read more
Posted in Comedy

Murder, he deconstructed

Tim Benzie has watched every episode of Murder, She Wrote, and has done so repeatedly, largely so we don't have to. The end result of this selfless act is Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote, a joyous celebration of a… read more
Posted in Comedy

Ed Entertains

I’m still not sure whether I’ve just attended a comedy night headlined by Ed Byrne, or an Ed Byrne show with not one, but two, support acts. Either way, it attracted a full house which,… read more
Posted in Comedy

There's something fishy about Common Ground

It's that time of year again, when Common Ground Theatre - erudite and accomplished adapters of Poe, Coleridge, Dickens and Dostoevsky - go ever so slightly bonkers with a post-Christmas show that is rarely troubled… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

haunting notes, Pizzicato strings

The early eighties will be forever known as the era of big hair, shoulder pads, legwarmers, New Romantic synth pop, MTV, brick-sized mobile phones and the romance of the century. Though some may judge that… read more
Posted in Comedy, Music, Theatre

More Magical Mind Reading

Right from the outset, Alex McAleer made it clear that he wasn't a psychic with supernatural powers. His powers come from hours of practice and learnt techniques, but in many ways are no less impressive.… read more
Posted in Comedy, Family, Theatre

Hair raising magic from the Great Baldini

I can honestly say I've waited years for the Great Baldini to visit Diss - he knows why - and his show at the Corn Hall certainly delivered on the promise of jolly, knockabout fun… read more
Posted in Comedy, Family, Theatre

Bona polari from Apollo Theatre

In the mid to late sixties television was starting to dominate home entertainment. Around the Horne, far from being part of the so-called swinging sixties, was effectively the last hurrah for radio comedy. To modern… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

Acopalypse Yesterday

Fans of Alfie Moore's radio show might be surprised that there were markedly fewer ethical dilemmas to grapple with in his live show. The occasional quandary was bounced off the audience — would you breathalyse… read more
Posted in Comedy

Griff Rhys Jones is the Cat's Pyjamas

There's no denying the ease with which Griff Rhys Jones bounds on stage - despite his involvement in a catalogue of ground breaking TV comedy shows over the years, he has latterly seemed most at… read more
Posted in Comedy

Diss falls down a Fesshole

Effectively a "greatest hits" show, Rob Manuel took us through the humorous, scandalous and frequently disgusting confessions posted to his Twitter account, Fesshole, reminding the audience there was a time when X was a safe… read more
Posted in Comedy

have we eaten on the insane root?

It's been a little over a year since the You’re Bard company last visited the Corn Hall. On that occasion, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was given a mauling and I ended up on stage pretending to… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

A love letter to Norwich

Although John Osborne's CV no doubt describes him as a poet - the evening opened with a couple of fine examples - it is as a storyteller that he has truly distinguished himself. His autobiographical… read more
Posted in Comedy, Word

Was this is Swan Song?

A full house at the Corn Hall welcomed Charlie Haycock's return for what could be the very last time. Not, I hasten to add, due to his diminishing popularity - this was his third visit… read more
Posted in Comedy, Word

It was going so well...

Yet again, a capacity audience enjoyed  another varied night of comedy in what is fast becoming a highlight of the Corn Hall calender. Peter Flanagan proved a companionable host for the evening, encouraging the audience… read more
Posted in Comedy

Matt Bragg steps in with only hours to spare

For once, the Corn Hall opened its doors on a Sunday night, seeing off the weekend for the near capacity audience with a welcome night of comedy, compered by American Russell Hicks. He grabbed the… read more
Posted in Comedy

Father Brown and the Curse of the Xmas Fairy

It has become something of a seasonal tradition that in the New Year, Common Ground Theatre Group pay the Corn Hall a visit to remind us that Christmas was only a fortnight ago. Best known… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

Another full house for Corn Hall Comedy

It was another full house for the reinvigorated Comedy night at the Corn Hall, with Steve Bugeja warming up the crowd nicely, exchanging the sort of good natured banter with the front row that we've… read more
Posted in Comedy

Simmons Measures Up

A member of the same club as Tim Vine, Milton Jones and Darren Walsh, Mark Simmons rejoices in word play and classic one-liners. Proving, once again, that there is an avaricious appetite for comedy in… read more
Posted in Comedy

Well, that rascal hath good mettle in him

Rumour has it that Elizabeth I was so enamoured with the character of John Falstaff in Henry IV, she persuaded Shakespeare to bring him back to the stage. Given the play can be charitably described… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

Ideal weather for an outdoors performance

It’s a brave group that relies on the capricious weather of a British summer, but that's exactly what Dot Productions do, performing in outdoor venues all over the country. This time last year the Corn… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

Best of Comedy at the Corn Hall

Unusually for a compere, Matt Richardson was probably the best known of the comics on the bill, and having nicely warmed up the crowd with the usual Wickerman ribbing we grin and bear from London-centric… read more
Posted in Comedy

Best of Comedy debut is a sold out success

Over the years, the likes of Sara Pascoe, Dave John, Simon Munnery and Mitch Benn have entertained the Corn Hall Comedy Club, but not all on the same night. I don't think there's ever been… read more
Posted in Comedy

Come and see the violence inherent in the system

They say the necessity is the mother of invention, and I doubt there's a better exemplar of the maxim than Monty Python and the Holy Grail, a film that, as the posters said at the… read more
Posted in Comedy, Film

Wozniak's Family Fable Fills the Corn Hall

Unique is one of the most overworked words in comedy, but Mike Wozniak really is one of a kind. Impeccably well mannered, dressed in his signature suit and tie, and with a moustache that would… read more
Posted in Comedy

Magical Comedy delivered Just like that

Given the ubiquity of tribute bands that make an honest living pretending to be someone else, it’s perhaps surprising that the idea doesn't branch out into other forms of entertainment.  Admittedly, I've seen the likes… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

Methought I was enamoured of an ass

It's not every night that I find myself dancing with a mischievous sprite, at least not one with whom I had just had a rubber chicken dual. Perhaps it was all just a dream, albeit… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

Mark Watson Embraces Diss

I've seen Mark Watson a few times over the years, and I'm never sure how much of his intended routine ever gets delivered. Such is his conversational, seemingly disconnected, style, it’s tricky you work out… read more
Posted in Comedy

Caulfield covers Kangaroos and Coat hangers

Diss Station isn't really in Diss, observed Jo Caulfield, and I suppose if you've come all the way from Edinburgh by train, it must feel quite a slog from Gilray Road to the Corn Hall.… read more
Posted in Comedy

Zerdin's Stand up for Dummies is a masterclass

Is Paul Zerdin Britain's finest ventriloquist? Fans of Nina Conti might have something to say about that, but it's fair to say they are the only two masters of the art that could sensibly lay… read more
Posted in Comedy

Luke Wright’s Celebrates his Silver Jubilee

It's hard to believe that Luke Wright, or anyone else for that matter, has earned a living through stand up poetry for the last twenty five years. Once you've ticked off John Cooper Clarke, Attila… read more
Posted in Comedy, Luke Wright, Stand-Up Poetry, Uncategorised

Alfie Moore gives an arresting performance

Regular Radio 4 listeners, the great majority of which appeared to have turned up to a full-to-bursting Corn Hall, will be familiar with Alfie Moore, a former police officer and stand-up comic who presents a… read more
Posted in Comedy

By Jove, Robertson & Collett play to a full house

What does a theatre company do when cast, props and sets are stuck in a van that's broken down on the M6? As everyone knows, the golden rule is the show must go on. Gavin… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

Emma is The Pantaloons at their very best

Those coming to a show by The Pantaloons expecting a faithful adaptation of their favourite novel might come away disappointed. However, those more familiar with their style will enjoy this riotous, irreverent and hugely entertaining… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

His Luton bungalow had more than one story

It might be a stretch to call John Hegley’s show multimedia, but we did get a series of slides, starting off with a drawing of the Luton bungalow where he grew up, featuring inspirations for… read more
Posted in Comedy, Music, Word

Hal Cruttenden is heard at his best

Over the years, the Corn Hall has played host to many fine comedians, but Hal Cruttenden's sold out show must surely rank as one of the best for a very long time. Deep down, we… read more
Posted in Comedy

Pierre Hollins Banishes the January Blues

A regular highlight on the Corn Hall calendar, the Comedy Club brought some much needed cheer to frosty 2023 for a packed crowd keen to shake off the January blues with an international roster of… read more
Posted in Comedy

Daliso Chaponda Stands Up to Lockdown

Daliso Chaponda is best known for reaching the final of Britain’s Got Talent, having been fast tracked by Amanda Holden with the golden buzzer. A sweet, self-effacing performer, he describes himself as a D list… read more
Posted in Comedy

Time and Tide waits in the Cromer Cafe

Relish Theatre’s play has been touring across East Anglia throughout October, and will continue on manoeuvres after this performance at the Corn Hall, finishing up with a brief run at the Theatre Royal. It’s a… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre

Shaparak Khorsandi delights her audience with gentle good humour and salacious anecdotes

Back in the 90s, there was no social media, no dating sites, and – if we are to believe Shaparak Khorsandi – no shame. In her early twenties Shappi, as she was then known, was… read more
Posted in Comedy

Mark Watson finally finds out that Diss Exists

Over the years, I’ve seen Mark Watson several times (he’s practically a permanent fixture at Latitude) and he has never failed to mention Diss at some point in his act. It seemed to gain near… read more
Posted in Comedy

Gary Delaney makes a triumphal return to Diss

Gary Delaney took the Corn Hall on a trip to Punderland for a second sold out night, delighting his audience with an exhausting, and seemingly inexhaustible, supply of gags.  With help from his warm up… read more
Posted in Comedy

Elvis McGonagall returns to the Corn Hall as funny, and as angry, as ever

Luke Wright hosted his poetry night with his usual charm and good humour, but otherwise seemed in reflective mood. Perhaps conscious that this quarterly treat is packed with a regular audience, he was keen to… read more
Posted in Comedy, Review, Word

The Killer Question answered in this funny, inventive mystery

It is always a pleasure and a treat to see new writing performed, and all the more so when the text is as sharp and witty as Dave Payne’s comedy thriller. Payne readily acknowledges a… read more
Posted in Comedy, Review, Theatre

Arthur Smith headlines a cracking evening of merriment.

Unavoidable absences are becoming so commonplace these days they hardly warrant a mention, but hats off to the three comedians that did make it to the Corn Hall for what was a slimmed down comedy… read more
Posted in Comedy

The Gentlemen is a Exuberant, Labyrinthine Romp

After dipping his toe into family friendly films, Guy Ritchie returns to what he does best with The Gentlemen. The film is a scabrous, exuberant romp, with a labyrinthine plot that will have your head… read more
Posted in Comedy, Film

Live Theatre returns to Diss with The Handlebards’s Romeo and Juliet

It was a slimmed down version of the Handlebards that entertained people in the park, as part of the Corn Hall’s continuing efforts to reintroduce live theatre to Diss. Fortunately, what the company lacked in… read more
Posted in Comedy, Family, Theatre

Dom Joly shares his holiday snaps with Diss

From the outset, Dom Joly made it clear there were to be no squirrel costumes or giant phones for the evening’s performance. What we got instead was a fascinating and insightful talk on some of… read more
Posted in Comedy, Theatre, Word

Horrible Histories is a fun packed romp through Roman Britain

The Horrible Histories book series has sold over 25 million copies, inspiring toys, magazines, and video games. In 2009, CBBC showcased a sketch show based on the franchise which continues to this day. Perhaps inevitably,… read more
Posted in Comedy, Family, Film

John Hegley certainly knows his potatoes

With a mix of poetry and song, John Hegley presented an evening of gentle good humour at the Corn Hall. With the help of Chris and his trumpet, he delighted his audience with whimsies on… read more
Posted in Comedy, Family, Music, Theatre, Word

Boothby Graffoe headlines the strongest comedy line up for months

 It was a welcome return to form for the Corn Hall’s Comedy Club, with a varied lineup hosted by MC James Dowdeswell. Hugely personable, Dowdeswell had a pleasingly large crowd on side from the outset,… read more
Posted in Comedy

A Triumphant Return for Common Ground's Sherlock Holmes

Common Ground returned to the Corn Hall with another of their post-Christmas shows. It's something that looks like becoming something of a traditional, with packed houses for both performances of their further adventures of Holmes… read more
Posted in Comedy, Family, Theatre

A triumphant and life affirming return for Paul Sinha

Paul Sinha made a real impact at the Corn Hall last year - he seemed to enjoy the evening as much as his audience did - so perhaps it’s no surprise that his return was… read more
Posted in Comedy

Yesterday is a funny, feelgood film that will delight fans of Richard Curtis's very particular brand of film making

When Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle teamed up it seemed such a provocative combination that it was hard to imagine what would emerge. The end result is a lot closer to Love Actually than Trainspotting,… read more
Posted in Comedy, Diss, Film

Gary Delaney brings down the house with his Gagsters Paradise show

You have to wonder if Gary Delaney’s brain is wired up differently from everyone else’s. His prodigious gag writing ability is such that, even before settling down to the show, he has bombarded us with… read more
Posted in Comedy, Review, Uncategorised

January Comedy Club had a packed house cheering with laughter

John Mann got straight down to business as MC of the Corn Hall’s comedy club, largely dispensing with audience interaction if favour of a very silly series of one-liners that had the audience nicely warmed… read more
Posted in Comedy, live entertainment

Enter the Dragon - weird and wonderful but David Vass wants more like this

Enter the Dragons - review In what amounted to a significant gear change for the Corn Hall, Abigail Dooley and Emma Edwards presented a short, sharp shock of a show that was funny, provocative, and… read more
Posted in Comedy, Review, Theatre

Have you tried wolf tail soup? Our three little pigs thought it was delicious...!

On Saturday 21st July I went to watch the fantastic, child friendly performance at the Corn Hall, Three Little Pigs Tails (Young Reviewer Sophie pictured with Garlic Theatre's Iklooshar Malara).   I was extremely impressed… read more
Posted in Arts Award, Comedy, Diss, Family, Norfolk, Review, Theatre

ARTS AWARD STUDENTS TAKE A STAND

Tuesday 6th March saw our Arts Award students take a stand during the inspiring theatre performance of ‘We are the Lions, Mr Manager!’ at the Corn Hall. The students were treated to an exclusive workshop… read more
Posted in Art, Arts Award, Comedy, Theatre

David Vass reviews Corn Hall Comedy

If riffing off an audience without the safety net of prepared material is a sign of a fine compère, then Andrew Ryan is the epitome of that rare and special talent. Twenty minutes into his… read more
Posted in Comedy, Review

Young Marx - A Preview

Karl Marx had been thrown out of Prussia, Germany, France and Belgium by the time he made a home for himself in London’s Soho, a tiny refuge for European dissidents that Richard Bean and Clive… read more
Posted in Comedy, Review, Screening, Theatre

Great Family Fun - Aladdin at the Corn Hall

As the first year of the newly refurbished Corn Hall draws to a close, it seems only fitting that the occasion be marked with resolutely old fashioned Pantomime. Handsomely staged and dressed, Aladdin brought songs,… read more
Posted in Comedy, Family, Music, Pantomime, Refurbishment, Review, Theatre

Audiences are loving Aladdin!

Here are some facebook reviews 5*  Just got home from Diss Panto...we had such a great time and we all vary in ages so it suited everyone. Full of laughter fun, singing, dancing..the lot!!! Lee Peck… read more
Posted in Comedy, Family, Pantomime, Review, Theatre

Mark Thomas: A Show That Gambles on the Future - a review

With previous shows focusing on his opera loving Dad, his campaigning days, and those in a Wakefield shed, Mark Thomas has often trawled the past for comic material with an edge. On this occasion, however,… read more
Posted in Comedy

Griff Rhys Jones - Where was I?

Griff Rhys Jones was in a loquacious mood at the Corn Hall, rattling through all manner of amusing anecdotes, as he shared behind the scenes insights from his years of travelling. Jones has had an… read more
Posted in Comedy, Word

Corn Hall Comedy Club - A Review

This was probably the very last outing for the Corn Hall Comedy night at the Rugby Club before it returns to its natural home – a varied and lively night that had MC Keiran Boyd… read more
Posted in Comedy, Review

Luke Wright’s Stay-at-Home Dandy - a review

The Corn Hall’s quarterly Stand Up Poetry Club has been a show case for a delightfully eclectic selection of poets over the last few years. It’s perhaps fitting that, for the final session before the… read more
Posted in Comedy, Word

Henning Wehn - Eins Zwei DIY - a review

Henning Wehn has carved himself a curious niche - as an oxymoronic German comedian in a country that prides itself on the quality of its stand up. Nicely riffing off the absurdity of such a… read more
Posted in Comedy

Marcus Brigstocke: Je M'accuse - I Am Marcus - a review

Marcus Brigstocke is a sneaky fellow. Instead of his signature splenetic diatribes, he teased his audience’s assumptions about the show they were getting, with the simple pleasures of daft voices and warm gel on the… read more
Posted in Comedy