Owen
Niblock is a stand-up comedian from a small village in Torfaen at
the edge of the Brecon Beacons. He's a bit of an odd one, doing
songs about romantic encounters on buses, showing people his kids'
book designs and generally being surreal and strange. His warped
outlook on life combined with his musical, artistic and linguistic
skills help make Owen a unique voice on today's comedy &
burlesque circuits. Owen's comedy makes a refreshing change from
the current trend for politically incorrect humour and he makes a
valuable addition to any billing.
As well as being a comedian Owen
is a big geek. The creator of the Gig-A-Tron Project; an
artificially intelligent computer system designed to respond to
voice commands, tell jokes and deliver putdowns. In 2007 Owen wrote
his first solo show "Niblock vs. Gig-A-Tron" where he goes
head-to-head against Gig-A-Tron. So far the show has been performed
at Leicester Comedy Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and
numerous venues across the UK. Gig-A-Tron has also appeared as part
of Robin Ince's Book Club at Edinburgh Festival and at the
Bloomsbury Theatre in London and on the BBC's World Service. In
2008 Owen returned to Edinburgh Fringe with a stand-up show called
'Twisted Whimsy' where he performed an extended 50 minute version
of his comedy set which was very well received. He supports PBH's
Free Fringe and likes to do weird gigs if they're offered to him
(he's been asked back to Saul Canal Festival twice - and headlined
the gig both times).
Owen's been doing straight
stand-up since 2003, he's clocked up an impressive amount of gigs
in that time and is rapidly building a reputation as a strong act
amongst promoters across the UK.MUSIC FESTIVAL
EXPERIENCE:
Green Man Festival, Square Festival, Saul Canal Festival,
Off The Tracks, Whitby Goth Weekend, Druid Camp, Blissfields,
Farmer Phil's, Nozstock.
BURLESQUE & CABARET
EXPERIENCE:
Wet Spot, Burlesque Cardiff, Dolly Remixture, Black
Country Burlesque, Nozstock Cabaret Stage.
EDINBURGH FRINGE:
2008 - Owen Niblock: Twisted Whimsy (Three Weeks
review - 4 stars)
2007 - Niblock vs. Gig-A-Tron @ Madogs (Scotsman
review)
2006 - The Adventures of Bitter & Twisted @ The Holyrood
Tavern
2005 - Unproper, a stand-up show with Iszi Lawrence
2004 - Regular on
the Nicol Edwards Late Show
FRINGE PRESS
QUOTES:
NIBLOCK VS. GIG-A-TRON:
"A groundbreaking free show." - The Scostman
"Not since Jimmy Carr have I seen a cold computer programme
on stage generate so much laughter." - Robin Ince
OWEN
NIBLOCK: TWISTED WHIMSY:
"I don't think I've ever come across anyone quite so talented at
being geeky as Owen Niblock; he's the master of all geekdom." -
Three Weeks
"He is incredibly funny." - Three Weeks
"it's like a mind map into the uncharted territory of Owen's
warped brain." - Three Weeks
"the poor man's David O'Doherty." - The List
"very much derivative of the semi-surreal style of Boothby
Graffoe" - Chortle
QUOTES FROM
STAND-UP GIGS:
"ground-breaking" - The Scotsman
"A very funny man" - Russell Howard
"inspired and offbeat" -
Chortle
"Have you ever
heard the name Owen Niblock? He's another star of the future" -
www.peterborough.net
"Owen's original songs and relaxed humour were right up my street.
Fab." - Karen Slater, BBC Tees
"A unique and fantastic set" - Beat the Frog, Manchester
"One of the best new acts on the circuit" - Wil Hodgson (Perrier
Newcomer Award Winner 2004)
"Watch out for him in the future... he will go far" - Cheeky
Monkey, Birmingham
"Comedy Genius" - Mac Star, Capital Comedy
"A natural" - Rosemary Dunn, Big Mouth
Production
QUOTES FROM BURLESQUE GIGS:
"You were
brilliant - consensus of opinion was that you were the best
comedian they had seen at the gig so far." - Paul B Edwards, Dolly
Remixture
"I have booked Owen Niblock twice for The Wet Spot Burlesque &
Cabaret in Leeds and he has been totally awesome both times! The
crowd loved him and he was a pleasure to work with - polite,
punctual and just a great chap. I would happily have him back at
the show anytime and cannot recommend him to other promoters more
highly." - Ryvita von Cheese, Wet
Spot