Kevin Stayner

Kevin Stayner is a comedian and writer who started in comedy in 2000 as the Stayner half of the double act, Dedman & Stayner. They gigged together in venues up and down the country such as Just the Tonic and Jongleurs before reaching the semi-finals of So You Think You're Funny? in Edinburgh in 2001. Although their performance in this competition was highlighted in the Sunday Times, shortly after this they went their separate ways. Kevin held a series of comedy nights at The Fighting Cocks in Kingston with the playwright Michael Ross in 2002 but he mainly focused on his writing until 2006 when he formed a new double act, Ham Yard Tourists, with fellow stand-up Kevin Rook. That same year Ham Yard Tourists took their debut show 'All in the Timing' to the Edinburgh Fringe where they returned with two further shows, 'About an Hour' (2008) and 'At Home with Ham Yard Tourists' (2009). They also found time for a short run at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden as part of the Camden Fringe in 2007. Ham Yard Tourists have gigged extensively up and down the country including various Mirth Control, various Laughing Horse, Monkey Business, Party Piece, Pastyface, Electric Mouse, the Bedford, Cavendish Arms and in July 2015 they compered the comedy tent at the Flummoxed Festival under their new name of Rook & Stayner. In 2017 Kevin formed The Funpackers with Anthony McConnell, Kirk Campbell & Jamie Lewis. Together they host a monthly variety show in Twickenham where they present a mixture of stand-up, sketch, improv and live music.