A comedy show where comedians battle with compliments instead of insults, created by Carl Carzana.
Boast in Show is back at Komedia on Wednesday 16 September, with a second date to follow on Wednesday 2 December. Both shows start at 8:00 pm, and doors open at 7:30 pm for the September run.
If you've never come across it, the premise is a simple flip of the roast battle: comedians go head-to-head, but they battle with compliments instead of insults. It's created by host and comedian Carl Carzana and produced by fellow comedian Dawn Williams, and the whole thing turns the usual roast on its head. Rather than tearing each other down, the challengers try to outdo one another with elaborate compliments, grand gestures and creative 'boasts'. Those can take a few different forms — heartfelt poems, original songs, and even extravagant gifts — and a panel of experts decides who wins. The only rule is not to hurt each other's feelings.
It's a format that's been picking up some real momentum lately. It won the Chortle Award for Best Live Comedy Format in the South in both 2025 and 2026, so it's not just a quirky idea — it's a show that's actually delivering on the pitch. The two dates are both at Komedia Studio, 44-47 Gardner Street, BN1 1UN. Seating is unreserved, so if you want a particular spot, it's worth getting in a bit early. The room is for ages 18+.
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Tickets are £10 for concessions and £12 standard, and both the September and December shows run at the same time: 8:00 pm start, doors at 7:30 pm.
