N8 Area Guide

Every year we present a selection of the top shows warming up before heading North to the Edinburgh Festival. Your ticket entitles you to see both full shows for less than the price of one in Edinburgh. NOTE EARLIER START TIMES and any CHANGES to advertised running order. 1st show starts 8pm, 2nd show starts 9.15pm. Check www.downstairsatthekingshead.com for details of who's on tonight. Fiona Allen White Lies After a sellout debut Edinburgh 2023 show Fiona Allen star of Smack The Pony returns with her new show White Lies. Fiona needs a perfect lie to avoid her pet hate of social gatherings. Running out of time and patience she encounters every obstacle a day can throw at her. It all threatens to derail her quest to find the perfect lie. She must confront her worst fear-her neighbours party. It's a fate worse than death and the clock is ticking. She's going to have to wargame it. Honestly. Punchlines delivered with cutting execution. Scotsman Appealingly barbed company. Guardian Eli Matthewson: Blood Bender Eli just became the first ever New Zealander to move to London, after applying for the "youth" visa on the last possible week he was eligible. He's ready to be a star and the only things in his way are his age and the impending apocalypse. From his brief ballet career to the lofty heights of performing at Dining In The Dark, Eli is ready to share it all to win you over... including the horrific story of his first visit to a gay sauna. ★★★★ (Chortle.co.uk). ★★★★ (Everything-Theatre.co.uk). Eli Matthewson is the first ever New Zealander to move to London and he has done it right on time for the end of the world. Just as life was starting to feel safe and secure, he has thrown it all away and scraped into the UK on the last possible week he could qualify for the youth mobility visa. A show about doing everything you can to make something of yourself before society completely crumbles. "Punchlines that whip back around like a tossed ponytail" - Theatreview "That most generous of comedy things: a personal show that feels inclusive, offering a series of vignettes that invite introspection without ever getting preachy." ★★★★ - The Recs "Smart, silly, and thoroughly entertaining." ★★★★ - EdFest Mag ★★★★ - Three Weeks ★★★★ Scotsman ★★★★ Chortle ★★★★ Voice Mag Important Notes: Bills may alter at late notice - check on www.downstairsatthekingshead.com for any last-minute changes. There is no reserved seating Downstairs. We can seat 70 and have 10 standing spaces. Your ticket guarantees entry, but if you want a good seat, please be with us by the advertised door opening time. Please bring evidence of booking (i.e; your confirmation email). On phone is fine - save trees! You can book tickets up to 6pm on the day of the show. After then, any remaining tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis on the door at the advertised doors open time. Also please note that, as an intimate venue, we discourage large group bookings, so tickets are limited on this show to a MAXIMUM of 4 per person. We want everyone to enjoy the show. Please dont talk during the performance and ensure your mobile phone is turned off. You will be required to leave without refund if your behaviour is disruptive. No recording in any medium is allowed without prior permission. Intoxicated persons will not be admitted. The use of E cigarettes is prohibited Note we do not allow food downstairs. If you are planning on eating upstairs before the show, please allow plenty of time to finish before coming downstairs.

Headlined by The Deniros in London's Hottest new and resurrected live music venue. - Known for high-energy shows and real community spirit, The Deniros have packed out independent venues across London and beyond - from surprise street sets to major festival stages (most notably Isle Of Wight 2025), bringing that same electricity to every performance.

We showcase some of the most exciting rising stars of London’s vibrant, contemporary circuit. Come & check out some of London’s emerging comedy talent, and experienced comics trying out new material and smashing out their best jokes! Four great acts on the night with the evening hosted by Mike Lash, The line up: Kathryn Mather “Wickedly accomplished… a thrilling rhythm and seamless flow… and the gags come at such a relentless rate. Mather positively revels in the macabre with a playful zeal” Rolling Stone UK “A fantastic mix of dark humour and funny storytelling. The audience were crying” Russell Kane "She’s very impressive” The Wee Review Richard Stott Known best for his appearances on Comedy Central and ITV2’s Stand Up Sketch Show, Richard found success bringing his take on the world to stage in stage shows such as Right Hand Man and Afterparty. Winning critical acclaim for his style of anarchic storytelling peppered with razor sharp one liners, Richard has seen his jokes named in Top 10 Jokes Of The Fringe 2019 (Dave TV), 2022 (The Times), 2023 (The Guardian), and came runner-up in the Leicester Square Not So New Comedian of The Year Contest 2024. Sarah Mills Sarah is a winner of the BAFTA Rocliffe award for TV Comedy and a Semi-Finalist in the Funny Women Stand Up Awards. On TV, Sarah has appeared on The Last Leg, Stand Up to Cancer and Rosie Jones' Disability Extravaganza. Sarah has written for Have I Got News for You (BBC2), Horrible Histories (CBBC), The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Tom Gates (Sky Kids), Dodo (Sky Kids) and Channel 4's Nasty Neighbours and is currently in a writers room for a top secret project for Channel 4. Richard Spalding "Razor sharp, understated brilliance." Tom Ward "My favourite comedian." Eshaan Akbar "He’s a very useful joke writer with an assured, club-ready confidence that already feels like a safe pair of hands." Steve Bennett Chortle

Weekly celebration of the best in stand-up and variety.

Join us for The Park Acoustic Club, Crouch End's monthly, curated, singer-songwriter and acoustic music showcase! Located in the heart of Crouch End at the iconic Downstairs at The Kings Head! Easily reached from Finsbury Park Station via the W7 bus. The night features 4 brilliant performers performing original music, a cover or 2, and an audience/artist group Jam at the end of the night. The friendliest and best listening audience in North London! Doors from 7.30, with drinks and light snacks available at the bar. Music starts around 8. Come early to secure your seat. Please note, this is an 18+ venue Past club nights have been memorable, entertaining, and full of incredible songs & talent. Check out our Playlist of former and upcoming artists here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1pj5T97dQfeVEONAf2qsa0?si=395da836b3c948e2