Otley Common Varieties

Common Varieties is back – and this time it’s festive!

Our varieties nights have been a roaring success, so we’re rounding off the year with another evening of glorious entertainment. Expect big laughs, beautiful music and a few jaw-dropping surprises. Headlining is the one and only Barbara Nice, the Britain’s Got Talent favourite who had Simon Cowell and co in stitches. She’s joined by the folk-punk-comedy of Hattie Hatstar, the stunning harp of Otley’s own Niamh Flynn, and the hula-hoop wizardry of Cherry Fizz. Keeping it all on track is our compère, Barbarella Braithwaite. It’s a fundraising night for Otley Common, so come along, get your Christmas spirit going and help us shape the future of Otley Common.

Doors from 7pm
Starts 8pm

ACTS INCLUDE:

Barbara Nice is the much-loved comedy creation of actress Janice Connolly BEM. Barbara is a cheerful, over-enthusiastic Brummie housewife who turns every show into a party. Barbara was spotted by Peter Kay at a new act competition in Manchester, who then cast Janice as Holy Mary in Phoenix Nights. In 2019 she won four yeses on Britain’s Got Talent, with David Walliams calling her a comedy whirlwind, and went all the way to the semi-finals. She’s supported Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas, had her own BBC Radio 2 series, and is now one of the best-loved headliners on the circuit. Be warned: she has been known to crowd-surf!

Hattie Hatstar has been writing comedy songs since 1998 and is a firm favourite on the UK festival scene. Armed with an accordion, a ukulele and whatever else she’s found at a car boot sale, she plays her own brand of folk-punk-comedy. She has a song for almost everything life throws at you, from murder ballads and drinking songs to ageing disgracefully, underwear and the end of the world. Sharp, silly and sometimes surprisingly serious.

Niamh Flynn is a Leeds Conservatoire-trained electro-acoustic harpist. She gives the harp a fresh, modern twist, mixing pop, folk, jazz, film scores and classical pieces. She also creates her own original music using live looping, building up rich, layered sounds right in front of you.

Cherry Fizz [bio to come] An amazing hula-hoop artist whose dazzling skills will leave you open-mouthed.

Compère Barbarella Braithwaite [bio to come] Leeds’ very own Barbarella Braithwaite will guide you through this unforgettable night.

We want everyone to feel welcome at Otley Common. If you have any access needs or need support to attend this event, please get in touch before the day and we’ll do our best to help. If you’d like to sit with friends or book as a group, let us know and we’ll do our best with the seating plan. hello@otleycommon.org