SILKY, a Liverpudlian in exile, will be the Burning Duck Comedy Club’s February headliner on Tuesday at the Black Swan Inn, in Peasholme Green, York.

“This month, we welcome one of our favourite performers, the softly spoken musical comedian Silky,” says club promoter Al Greaves. “Since 1994, Silky has avoided adulthood, wealth and financial security by doing something he loves instead, earning numerous plaudits, and he’s highly revered for his musical skills too.

“Fellow comedian Fred MacAulay said ‘he’s a great improviser, wonderful stand-up, beautiful singer’, and no less than Stewart Lee said Silky displayed ‘far better guitar playing than is required for a comedy show’.”

Support comes from Newcastle’s Sean Turner, a one-off described by Simon Donald, of Viz fame, as “incredibly original whilst also being a part of that rich Geordie tradition of otherworldly surrealism”.

Donald added: “He has an imagination the size of Jupiter and the warmth of a cuddle from a Hairy Biker, which combined makes him one of the most underrated and finest stand-ups around.”

The night will be hosted by club favourite Si Beckwith as Burning Duck looks to build on the momentum of last month’s opening show of 2016 headlined by Vince Atta.

York Press:

Silky

“We have lots of exciting names lined up ready to announce for this year, including the return of Bec Hill. She’ll be here on February 24 with her tour show Caught On Tape, a haunting mix of stand-up, ‘paper-puppetry’ and regret from the 2014 winner of the Barry Performers’ Choice Award for Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe,” says Al.

“We’re also delighted to announce that we’ve booked Alfie Moore for a ‘work in progress’ show on March 21. A former police sergeant turned stand-up comedian, and star of BBC Radio 4 comedy It’s A Fair Cop, Alfie tasers his way through a set of fascinating anecdotes drawn from his 18 years on the beat.”

Joining Moore on that night’s bill will be Danny Deegan, a comedian, writer and actor who has become a regular at major comedy clubs since he began performing in 2003.

“Danny’s tales of mischief and the characters he creates have kept audiences all over the country enthralled as he weaves in and out of the people he has met while travelling, and his talent and likeability, coupled with his confidence, make him one of the most popular acts in the North,” says Al.

“March 21 will be a unique opportunity to see both these acts performing extended sets and trying out new material for their forthcoming festival shows.”

Tickets for all shows are on sale at £4 at burningduckcomedy.com or can be bought in person at Bison Coffee in Heslington Road and The Inkwell in Gillygate. Doors open at 7.45pm, when tickets cost £5, and shows start at 8pm.

“I’m hoping to go fortnightly this year, maybe alternating between regular mixed bill shows and extended touring shows and previews,” projects Al. Watch this space for further developments.