XS Malarkey

John Robertson is a high-octane cult leader with wild eyes and a thunderous voice. A stand-up, improviser and force of nature, he’s the creator of the hit live-action videogame show “The Dark Room” (4,000,000 hits on YouTube, over 500 performances all around the world), he faked a seizure on reality TV, wrote the Puffin kids book "The Little Town of Marrowville" and wants you to know he loves you, but he's still going to yell at you.

You can see him in theatres, clubs, gaming festivals, nerd events and rock shows.

Praise for John and The Dark Room:

“NOT TO BE MISSED” – The Guardian.

‘The Dark Room is utterly unique, it’s hard to describe the magic and joyful surprises awaiting you within without utterly scaring you off.’ – The Skinny

‘You must see this show’ – British Comedy Guide

‘You have to see the Dark Room at least once in your life’ – The Scottish Sun

‘Great fun, nostalgic, but also a fresh angle for comedy’ – Den of Geek

‘Genuinely, irresistibly dangerous’ – The Stage

"If you like your comedy interactive, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better than John Robertson” (ThreeWeeks),

“His material is intelligent, edgy and smoothly-delivered” (The Age, Melbourne).

“A cult is born” (Bruce Dessau).

WINNER - Best Kids Show, Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

WINNER - ThreeWeeks Editors Choice EdFringe 2016

WINNER – ARGUS ANGEL, BRIGHTON FRINGE 2014.

Running for 15 years, The Discount Comedy Checkout was created by Chris Lumb. The show has a team of players performing comedy improvisation short form games, character comedy and sketches. They provide a full entertainment show and take suggestions from the audience which makes sure that each show is unique and fresh and creates a one off experience for the audience! They also perform guest slots on stand up nights to give the audience something a bit different.

Comedian, actor, writer from Hull.

Nominated for Best Live Show at the National Comedy Awards 2023.

‘Joyous hour… remember Gledhill’s name, because it’s about to be everywhere’ ★★★★★ Independent

‘Could hardly be more endearing… adroit joke-making at work’

★★★★ Guardian

‘A jaw-droppingly good debut’ ★★★★ Times

★★★★★ The Skinny ★★★★★ Funny Women ★★★★ Telegraph

★★★★ Scotsman ★★★★ The List

As seen on; The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV1) Alma's Not Normal (BBC2) The Emily Atack Show (ITV2) Hypothetical (Dave) Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (Dave) Guessable (Comedy Central) Late Night Mash (Dave) Somewhere Boy (Channel 4) Life (BBC1)

'Toby is an actor, writer and comedian, who has a stupid name that no-one can pronounce or spell. He was born in a small cottage in Ludlow, Shropshire at the turn of the century, and even as a baby, sported a rather manly collection of facial hair.'

Manchester comedy Legend and host of XS Malarkey. Toby was the inaugural winner of The Les Dawson Award, beating a shortlist including Peter Kay, Daniel Kitson, Dave Spikey, Ken Dodd, Caroline Ahearne, Craig Cash and Steve Coogan. He works regularly in TV and Radio having appeared in shows ranging from Coronation Street to Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights.

'Superior stand-up skills – very, very funny' (The Guardian)

'A comedy genius' (Metro).