The Comedy Cow team, well! They sure know how to book ’em!
Last night at The Venue Milton Keynes, we were served a fresh delivery of gold top standard stand-up comedy, featuring some of the best comedians in the UK comedy circuit.
MC for the evening was the delectable and sassy Stephen Bailey, an outrageously talented stand-up comedian and TV presenter. You will love him from the second he steps foot on stage. Holding the audience in check – more on that later, Kevin – he delivers witty and audacious quips, constantly making you both squirm with delight and embarrassment, of the loveliest kind, obviously.
Stephen Bailey
Outrageous to the core, he’s as funny as he is fabulous, with a comeback line for everything, and I mean, EVERYTHING. From the ‘chippy tits’ to the ‘pushing helmets into the army’ moments – I’ll leave you to discover the origin of that – he’s got an endless stream of natural talent just pouring from every pore. Described as gossipy humour, he is the perfect act to hold together a live comedy show but also to complement and enhance it immensely.
Stephen has a vast array of stand-up comedy credits to his name, including supporting Katherine Ryan, Jason Manford, Micky Flanagan, and Jenny Eclair, amongst others, on tour. TV credits include presenting Celebs on the Farm (Channel 5) and being the resident Agony Uncle on Zoe Ball on Saturday/Sunday (ITV).
Stephen has a comedy tour planned for 2025, and tickets are on sale now at www.stephenbaileycomedy.co.uk.
Act One – Kate Barron
Kate Barron
A Canadian comedian now based in the UK comedy scene, Kate Barron started her stand-up career while living in Canada and working as an art dealer. She became the first woman to win the Toronto Comedy Brawl in its nine-year history, has won the Comedy Store’s King Kong Show, and performed in some of the largest comedy festivals in Canada.
Described as a Loud Talker, she certainly spoke loudly to the crowd last night, and it was magnificent. An absolute powerhouse of entertainment, Kate blasted onto the stage and delivered non-stop laughs. Kate stands out with physical comedy presence and an energy that wore us out with laughter. Relatable and totally engaging, Kate’s set was utterly hilarious with tales of Turkey Teeth, Who’s Who in the Zoo, dating disasters (beware of anyone with oversized Mickey Mouse Gloves!), and getting a strike with a bowling ball when talking about bedroom antics cough cough.
Cheekily brazen, Kate carries bold comedy well to her audience. We’ll be keeping an eye out for her tour dates for more laughs!
Act Two – Michael Mackenzie
Michael Mckenzie
Trainee doctor, actor, and model Michael Mackenzie brought his bedside manner of mirth and medicine to the stage, delivering just what the doctor ordered. The audience warmed to him instantly with his stories of Brian – his prosthetic leg – and his gently self-deprecating manner.
His “Partial Arts” routine notably raised many laughs, and his little musical comedy skit at the end of the set is a wonderful work in progress. Indeed, Michael IS one to watch, being Chortle’s Student Comedian of the Year 2023, semi-finalist of So You Think You’re Funny 2023, and a BBC New Comedy Award 2022 finalist.
Find his comedy tour dates at www.ents24.com and on his social media.
Act Three – HEADLINER: MC Hammersmith
MC Hammersmith
The multi-award-winning hip-hop freestyling comedian MC Hammersmith took the stage, rapping his way through the headline set and setting the venue alight with non-stop laughter. His improvised comedy rap was a thing of beauty and genius, leaving us all blown away by this utter whirlwind of stand-up brilliance.
Described as the most mind-blowing rapper to emerge from “the ghetto of middle-class West London,” this M&S Gangsta was phenomenal!
His Front Row Rap had us enraptured as he dropped his first beat and delivered an unscripted and spontaneous comedy routine. With absolutely no preparation, he engaged with audience members off the cuff, creating an interactive comedy experience like no other. MC Hammersmith even clambered into the audience, rapping about random objects from people’s bags and pockets – dog poop bags, a tube of Vaseline – everything got the freestyle treatment as he hip-hopped his way through the auditorium.
Simply stupendous from start to finish, his energy whipped up the comedy finale fantastically.
MC Hammersmith begins his UK comedy tour in March 2025 and will be performing locally in Northampton in May. Rush off to buy tickets now!
For all dates, see his socials and website: www.mchammersmith.com/uk-tour-shows.
The Unexpected Star of the Night: Kevin!
And now, for the fifth and unbooked comedian of the night… KEVIN.
What started as a comedy heckler turned into an unexpected highlight of the evening. Yeah, yeah, I know that’s another show…
Encouraged and emboldened by his new bestie Stephen Bailey, Kevin led the way with audience participation, earning a massive round of applause for his selfie win. Hecklers normally get short shrift from both the audience and the acts, but Kevin was oddly lovable. A genuine delight to chat with after the show (he gave express permission to be included in this review), Kevin went from potential annoyance to being an adorable participant in the overall evening.
Note to future comedy audiences: Be More Kevin. Participate when invited, but also give the stand-up comedians their time to shine.
Final Thoughts
In all, I think this was one of, if not THE best comedy show I’ve seen with The Comedy Cow to date.
Every act was hilarious, engaging, and immensely talented. I would go to see each and every one of them again for their full stand-up comedy tour, including Kevin, who WILL be at a comedy show near you soon – as he only went and won the competition!
Get Your Comedy Fix!
See you all at a live comedy gig soon! Check out The Comedy Cow on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, as well as at www.thecomedycow.co.uk.
Reviewed by:
I’m a proud MK resident of over 46 years watching it grow from a new town to a bustling business, social and cultural city.
I work in the NHS and enjoy an eclectic social life exploring everything Milton Keynes has in the diary.
