This year, the Festival brought some of our most beloved British comedians back to Montreal – and audiences couldn’t be more thrilled.
Danny Bhoy’s “Dear World…” Opened to a Sold-Out Crowd
Earlier this week, Danny Bhoy’s show Dear World… opened to a full house of loyal fans. The stage was set with a small table adorned with a small lamp, a candle, and a few personal items, which we learned about later. On the stage floor, the words Danny Bhoy’s Dear World… were stenciled in light.
As the lights dimmed and Danny appeared, thunderous hoots and hollers filled the room. Spotting two empty seats in the front row, Danny joked that their occupants must’ve forgotten their plans – likely eating dinner, discussing how they’re sure they had somewhere to be tonight, while the tickets were tacked up behind them.
Dear World… unfolds through letters and a weaving of heartfelt personal anecdotes with absurd observations, from ethically shopping to deciphering what “scientifically proven” really means in legal American marketing. The audience, largely older, roared with laughter through many extended laugh breaks. Danny’s pacing, heart, and razor wit culminated in a standing ovation — one he humbly acknowledged with a single bow before slipping quietly offstage.
This marks his 25th year in comedy, and he takes us on a journey through that milestone. It would be an absolute shame to miss him while he’s in town. (Based on July 22 @ 7 PM performance)
Nina Conti: Whose Face Is It Anyway?
BAFTA-nominated ventriloquist, comedian, and actress Nina Conti brought her solo show Whose Face Is It Anyway? to Studio TD on July 22. Fans lined up around the block as early as 8 p.m. for the 9:30 show — general admission made seat selection an event in itself. Once doors opened, it was basically The Hunger Games as families squabbled over whether to sit close enough to get picked on.
Originally debuting at the Edinburgh Fringe, Whose Face… received rave reviews and sold-out runs in London, New York, and across the UK. The stage setup is simple: a guitar, three chairs, and a rack of masks. Nina enters with her cheeky puppet sidekick, Monkey, who explains the show’s rules: she won’t bring up anyone too eager — or anyone too resistant.
There’s no script. Instead, Nina and Monkey interact with the audience, improvising entirely. On this night, she met siblings, offered therapy through Monkey, and closed by masking four of Monkey’s “clients.” Nina’s show is strange, warm, chaotic, and magical — and this was her only performance. If you missed it, you missed it. She does, however, appear again in Brit(ish). (Based on July 22 @ 9:30 PM performance)
Brit(ish): A Festival Favourite Returns
Another festival staple, Brit(ish), returned to Studio TD with a packed house and a buzzing crowd. Festival volunteers helped fans find seats and maybe even make some new friends.
Hosted by Ed Gamble, the show began with him declaring that the audience should be excited — and they absolutely were. Right away, he spotted a man in the front row who called out “Nina!” Ed quipped, “He’s not excited for this show — just for Nina.” The man’s name was Roger, a retired U.S. armyman visiting with his flight school roommate. His wife stayed home with their three grown daughters (25, 23, and 21). More on Roger later.
Ed chatted with newly engaged couple Ed and Emily, who got engaged in the Canadian wilderness, before laying down a rule: Don’t speak unless spoken to. A useful warning, as it turned out.
Felicity Ward opened the night in a bright yellow crop top and jeans, greeting the crowd with a booming “Hello, motherfuckers!” She confessed to feeling off after three connecting flights and poked fun at Canada’s reputation for niceness — until she dealt with Air Canada customer service. As an Aussie, she identified as the (ish) in Brit(ish). Her set touched on divorce, single motherhood, and re-entering the dating pool — all delivered with her signature charm and fire.
Next was Sarah Keyworth, who spoke candidly about top surgery and being the “non-Carrie Bradshaw” of their family. But the set was interrupted — by Roger. After several interjections, Sarah tried to wrap it up with “Pleasure to meet you, Roger. And now we’re done with each other.” But Roger wasn’t. He kept talking, even checking his phone mid-set. Sarah shot back: “I don’t know much about the army, but I think attention span’s kind of important.” With finesse and grace, Sarah kept the crowd on their side and managed to finish strong. Ed returned to the stage to scold Roger, who claimed Sarah spoke to him first. Ed was listening and called b*llshit on that.
Then came Nish Kumar, and the room lost it. Nish is sharp, furious, and brilliant. He joked about touring the U.S. — and escaping — before taking on Trump, Mark Carney, Canada’s Royal Family, and more. We won’t spoil the jokes, but don’t miss his solo show on July 25. Afterward, Ed returned to say, “We get it, mate. You read a book.”
Nina Conti was next, with Monkey and a rack of masks. She and Monkey searched for an audience member to play with — not Ed and Emily, who’d already had their moment. They found Al, who works in astronaut training at a space station. Monkey declared: “We just struck gold.” Nina, voicing Al, asked a slew of questions, and the most important discovery of the night: “You gotta get the jazz in your legs to go to space.”
Closing the show was the irrepressible Gina Yashere, back in Montreal and radiating playfulness. She shared stories of living in the U.S. for 18 years, losing her house in the LA fires, and now co-starring with Holly Hunter in the new Star Trek series filming in Toronto. Gina remains an absolute powerhouse.
Ed Gamble closed the show by thanking the crowd. He’ll host the remaining Brit(ish) shows — with the same incredible lineup. He’s also recording Taskmaster: The Podcast LIVE, which is already sold out. But you can still catch him at Brit(ish) and at the JFL Gala hosted by Michelle Buteau.
More Brits to Catch This Week
Don’t sleep on Russell Howard, who returns to the festival with a brand-new hour and a live podcast recording, which took place at Salle Claude-Léveillé on July 23.
Also in town: Nick Mohammed with his solo show Mr. Swallow: Show Pony. (Ted Lasso fans, take note.)
They’re all back and we couldn’t be happier— even though we still have to deal with their Royal Family.
Danny Bhoy’s Dear World… runs until July 27 (info here).
Brit(ish) can be seen until July 26 (info here).
Nish Kumar will also be performing his hour on July 25 (info here).
Gina Yashere will also be performing her hour on July 25 (info here).
Russell Howard will also be performing his hour on July 24 (info here).
Nick Mohammed is Mr. Swallow: Show Pony (info here).
Felicity Ward will also be performing in the JFL Gala hosted by Michelle Buteau on July 25 (info here).
Sarah Keyworth will also be performing in the JFL Gala hosted by Roy Wood Jr. on July 25 (info here).
Please note that Galas explicitly mention that lineups are subject to change
Just for Laughs continues until July 27. Tickets for all shows can be found HERE.
