The Alternative Comedy Show

Discover fresh comedic talent and indulge in a night of laughter at The Alternative Comedy Show, a celebration of comic ideas and originality featuring some of the country’s most experimental, innovative, and exciting comedians.

Headlining the show is Lily Phillips, one of the most exciting up-and-coming voices in comedy in the UK. She has been a finalist for many prestigious awards including Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year, Funny Women, and was a part of prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the 2019 Edinburgh and the BBC New Comedy Awards on BBC One. She is a series regular on The Stand Up Sketch Show, and her credits also include Period Dramas (BBC3), The Joy of Missing Out (All4), and comedy shorts for Comedy Central Online.

Our MC for the night is Lorna Rose Treen, an award-winning character comedian, writer, actor, and improviser, whose arrival on the scene has been remarkable. Lorna became the first ever double award winner at the Funny Women Awards in 2022, when she won both the Stage Award and the Comedy Short Award. Lorna went on to win Chortle’s coveted Best Newcomer Award in early 2023.

Opening is Eli Matthewson, who has just arrived in London from New Zealand, where he has been working as a comedian and a writer for the last ten years. In 2021, Eli won the Fred Award, New Zealand’s most prestigious comedy award, for his hour show Daddy Short-Legs. He helped create the legendary improv show Snort and co-hosts the podcast The Male Gayz.

In the middle slot is writer and performer Theo Mason Wood. He took his debut show Legalise Kissing to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2025. Broadway Baby gave it 5 stars and said, “If you’re looking to see one of the most exciting new comics on the British and European comedy scene, look no further.” Theo recently co-wrote an episode of The Gentlemen for Netflix, alongside his brother Billy.

Please note that line-ups are subject to change.

May contain adult themes and language.