Howlers Comedy Night: Andrew Bird with
Sally-Anne Hayward & Jeremy Flynn
Cheltenham Playhouse | 23rd April 2026
By coincidence on St. George’s Day, Howlers were hosting yet another fabulous night of comedy at the fabulous Playhouse Theatre. As the Patron Saint of soldiers, our shared Saint, who as a venerated military martyr, didn’t appear to have much in common with the night’s warriors of mirth…
Cerys Nelmes armed with a metaphoric lance, invisible shield and her West-Country accent stepped out to slay her audience. However, as regulars to the Playhouse theatre know, the audience are as agreeable as the welcome from the stewards. As the designated compere her role was to “get to know you” and lower inhibitions. The comedienne quickly ascertained that late-comers – Keith and his “business” posse – were trouble, Natalie and her friend were slags and Tim is still unsure of his sexuality. St. George may have been respected for his Christian values, however, Cerys Nelmes is respected for her ability to corrupt and debase with her potty-mouth…“Oh I’d f*ck you Tim!”
Seemingly innocent Sally-Anne Hayward’s approach to live comedy is understated and coy. Do not be misled, as Hayward’s punchlines at the end of her social vignettes have a fire-breathing quality. From wishing her ex- boyfriend died in his sleep to hoping for an end for Keith, in the audience, for very real reasons. For Hayward, turning tragedy into comedy is as easy as finding a suitable quote on the internet.
The 23rd of April is also Shakespeare’s birthday, a writer acclaimed for the quote: “Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” Which seems fitting…
It is a little known fact, witty Jeremy Flynn is the Patron Saint of the Under-Achiever – for those of us who have “given up”. His static presence on stage belies his far-reaching comedy routines from his ability to laugh at his own size to the novel way of entering his £200 car. His stage persona as a tragi-comedic character is at once Shakespearian and Paul Abbot-esque.
With all the ebullience of an excitable toddler Andrew Bird bounds around the stage with the same energy St George took into battle. Northhampton (sic) born Bird seems to have still preserved – in his mid-forties – incredulity as to how everyday life is so fabulous! His celebration of the simple joy of opening an automatic door and peeing like we did at primary school are pleasures that need preserving. Conversely, he still needs to focus on the very modern preoccupation with self-imposed anxieties. The skit about pneumatic lips, with the concluding image of feeding a pond of carp was even more endearing than a polyester flag hanging forlornly from an intermittently-blinking lamp post. The laughter throughout the night will be remembered long after Keith’s contribution to the evening.
By George, it is no coincidence that Howlers Comedy Nights are as popular as they are, moreover, the next comedic event at the Playhouse Theatre is on May 28th. .
By: Swilgate Scuttler