The Penny Dreadfuls are Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck.

Aeneas Faversham

They present their splendid brand of Victorian sketch comedy, centering around the world of noted Victorian explorer and dandy, Aeneas Faversham. Touring around the UK since November 2005 to packed houses, fantastic critical acclaim and amassing a legion of fans. The Dreadfuls have attracted huge industry attention, having featured on BBC3 and BBC Radio 4 & recorded their first four-part radio series for BBC Radio 7 which was aired in January 2008. They are currently developing their second series for BBC 7.

Touring the Festivals

Click to view more info on Aeneas Faversham Returns at the Edinburgh Festival 2007

Two hour-long installments of the live sketch show centres has performed to sell-out crowds at festivals across the UK, such as at The Smirnoff Underbelly, at the Edinburgh Festival (2006 & 2007), Panoptican & Brel at the The Glasgow Comedy Festival (2006 & 2007), at the beautiful Pavilion Theatre at The Brighton Paramount Comedy Festival (2007), the Leicester Comedy Festival where they were nominated for Best Newcomers, the G66 Festival and The Latitude Festival. The Dreadfuls are currently working on a third brand new hour-long show of Victorian fancies and escapades from the world of Aeneas Faversham to tour in 2008.

Touring comedy venues around the UK

The chaps have also toured the show to the Stand Comedy Clubs (Edinburgh & Glasgow), The Soho Revue Bar, The Pleasance Islington, Hen and Chickens, the Etcetera Theatre, Up the Creek, the Byre Theatre in St Andrews and participated in showcases such as BBC Radio 4’s Edinburgh Festival Four at the Fringe showcase at the Pleasance Coutyard, the BBC Children in Need Comedy Night (Shepherds Bush Empire), the Leicester Comedy Festival Comedy Heaven Amnesty showcase (Phoenix Arts Theatre) and the fantastic Laugh a Minute comedy showcase for reopening of the prestigious BBC Radio Theatre as well as many others.

Improv Origins

The Dreadfuls met in 2002 doing improv comedy with The Improverts, Edinburgh University’s 20-years-and-running resident improv troupe. David, Humphrey & Thom each directed the troupe in turn and played with them for 6 years. The three of them have participated in many improv collaborations since, most notably ShamWagon at the Pleasance Courtyard at the Edinburgh Festival 2006, as well as The Stand Players‘ “Completely Made Up” and “Whose Lunch is it Anyway”, and have guested on many improv nights in London.