Matt Blaize

Performing: September 2nd

"…Fast talking hard hitting, watch out for him. He's in hot form…"- Time Out
 

Matt Blaize originally trained as a classical actor and attended The Drama Centre. Roles at school Include; Rakitin in month In The Country by Turgenev, The Title role in Othello by Shakespeare and Winston in Les Smiths, "Some kind of Hero". Matt has performed approx. 400 gigs in the 2 years he has been a stand-up comedian.

Paid 20 minutes
Children In Need For The BBC @ The Shepherds Bush Empire Nov 2002
CND Anti War Protest gig @ The Bloomsbury Theatre Supporting Michael Moore, Mark Thomas, Jeremy Hardy . Dec 2002
Lee Hurst Back yard Comedy Club (Resident compere)

Matt has performed approx. 200 paid 20 minute Gigs for Mirth control at such venues as; Cambridge Trinity College May Ball, South bank University, Reading University, Guildford University, Farnham University,
Farnborough University, University of North London, University of East London, Club Fandango-Plymouth,
Comedy Cavan in Bath and The Forum in Tunbridge Wells.

Other Paid Gigs
The Stand, Glasgow; Just The Tonic Nottingham; The Buzz Club Manchester; Bound & Gagged Palmers Green; The Amused Moose; The Monday Club @ Tattershall castle

Competitions
Winner Of Leicester Mercury Comic of The Year 2002
2001 Winner of Take The Mike For Carlton T.V
Finalist Hackney Empire N.A.O.T.Y 2001
Winner of Laughing Horse N.A.O.T.Y. 2001

Edinburgh Fringe
Part Of "Ebony And irony" 2002 @ The Underbelly Edinburgh fringe
Part Of "Hackney Empire new Acts" 2001@ The Gilded Balloon II Edinburgh Fringe

T.V work
"Children In Need" BBC1 Nov 2002
Guest on "Rise" Channel 4 Nov 2002
Contestant Comedian Special "The Weakest Link" BBC1
"Take The Mike"2002 Series for Carlton. Warm Up May 2002
Talking Head In BBC2, "I Love Jamaica" Documentary

Compere work
Resident compere @ Lee Hurst Backyard London
The Amused Moose Barcode London

Quotes
"…Fast talking hard hitting, watch out for him. He's in hot form…" - Time Out

"Smart, good looking confident. You could easily hate Blaize if he wasn't so damn funny. He's got attitude by the bucketful as he demolishes his subjects with elegant, energetic style, and a winning way with words. Blaize has only been around a short while but is making waves in all the right places - and quite right too. He's got naturally funny bones and the talent to make the most of them. Bigger things undoubtedly await." - Chortle.co.uk

" An outstanding comedic talent." - Fringereport.com

"Likeable, he has some great lines". - The Scotsman

" The Tall, toned, tattooed antidote. Who makes no Apologise for offending anyone" - 3 Weeks

"If comedy was the new rock and roll then it comes as a surprise to discover a new hard edge face on the scene who looks as if he can kick things into the next generation. Matt Blaize is an Eastender who prowls the stage looking for answers. As a black Britain he hits the race angle with incisive humour. In between there's a thoughtful political viewpoint, which could become a show within a show. A natural comic, this is a guy with the personality To match his potential" - The Stage

"His style is irreverent but never intimidating. And he is one of the few acts to do political material. Its always exciting to spot a new face on the circuit and Blaize is clearly on the up" - Evening Standard/Hot Tickets

"Among the highlights of the second half was charismatic black comedian Matt Blaize" The daily Telegraph

"Has been described by many as Britain answer to Bill Hicks". TV Quick

"He is that increasing rare creature. A comedian who takes on tough topical issues with an expressiveness and lightness of touch that can win round even a rowdily drunken crowd" Time-out

"He strides on giving it a certain amount of attitude And soon he is spinning comedy gold…
Watching him is really exciting because you know you are seeing a star in the making. Hollywood watch your back". - Attitude magazine

"He's unusual among current stand-us in that there's a strong social content in his set.
His delivery is fast and exciting. Though, it's the way he engages with the audience. He can take a delicate subject like race and hit us with funny lines without ever sounding like he is sacrificing honesty for laughs. Its no surprise to learn that he also numbers among the major influences on him hard hitters likes Bill Hicks, Denis Leary and Chris Rock. Skilful, distinctively enjoyable" - Time-out

"With the facial contortions of Bill Cosby his politically orientated act was funny and well observed"
Leicester mercury

"He does topical material, political material, and he plays with the audience. I think he'll make it to the top flight" - Lee Hurst BBC1 "They Think It's All Over" (Taken from Time -Out Article 2002)

"New talent comes from sharp-witted Matt Blaize" - BBC London 94.9 FM.