Edinburgh previews: Zahra Barri + John Pendal

Stand up comedy at the London authentic, award-winning, modern Mediterranean restaurant. It is just a short walk from Hammersmith tube station and the Apollo, a popular destination of celebrities, frequently visited by stars, such as: Alan Sugar, Adrian Charles, Bill Baily and Olly Murs.

Comedy night starts at 7:30pm and finishes at the latest 10:15pm, this is another one of our shows for the Edinburgh previews season and features some of the finest comedy talent. This show will focus on the talents of Zharra Barri and John Pendal

John won the 25th ‘International Mr Leather’ contest in Chicago in May 2003 (the only Briton ever to have won the title). He turned to stand-up comedy in 2010 and since then has performed over 750 gigs at comedy clubs and theatres across the UK from Falmouth to Edinburgh, as well as one-hour shows in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Leicester, Manchester and Melbourne.

He regularly performs opening 20 minute sets, paid middles, M.C. spots and headlines smaller clubs. Paid weekend work includes The Stand Comedy Clubs, Manchester Comedy Store, Brighton Komedia, Soho Comedy, Amused Moose and Downstairs at the Kings Head.

John was a finalist in the Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2015 competition.

“SENSATIONAL PERFORMANCE. TARGETED, FUNNY AND JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!” - Leather Leadership Conference, Atlanta

He is currently touring a solo show: “John Pendal – International Man of Leather” around comedy festivals, including Bath (April), Brighton (May & June), Manchester (July) and Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016 at The Stand. Here is a clip of John in action:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUcRmeloH-s.

Zahra hit the stand up scene in February 2011 and has since been a 2013 Bath New Act of The Year Finalist, a Funny Woman (in association with Company Magazine) Finalist, Laughing Horse New Act at Brighton Fringe Finalist, Comedy Cafe New Act 2012 Finalist, beaten 'The Frog' at The Frog and Bucket and reached the Semi Finals of The Picadilly New Act of The Year Competition.

She has also gigged with Gail Porter and supported notorious 'Best Seller' and International Drug Baron (!) Howard Marks.

She has opened for Tiffany Stevenson, Dana Alexander and Kate Smurthwaite.

Also an actor, she has featured in Radio 4 comedies and the Radio 4 'Poetry Please Show'.

She was a Finalist in The BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship Award For Radio Drama in 2010 and believes she has a face for radio.

So much so that she hosts a weekly Radio Show called 'The She Must Be Joking Show'. The show is a comedy fuelled, topical talk show, mainly poking fun at celebrity and entertainment news. Here is a clip of here in action, enjoy the show:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KtVm5JY53Y.