Helsinki Comedy Festival

Ismo Leikola

Ismo’s opinions, perspectives and the style of doing comic art are so original and genuine, that it’s hard to describe it verbally. You just have to experience him. When Ismo speeds up, the listener is pretty quickly aware why he has been one of the most popular comics for years. So, sit down, widen your spirit and let Ismo make you see the world in a completely different way.

• “Leikola is a Scandinavian Mitch Hedberg; an oddball with a few extra twists.” The List
• “An excellent ambassador for stand-up.” Three Weeks
• “For a man speaking his second language, Ismo Leikola is uncannily incisive, charismatic and entertaining.” – The Dubliner.
• Audience favorite award at “Tomaatteja!Tomaatteja!” stand up festival 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.
• TV-shows: Suomi myytävänä fall 2009 (YLE TV 1)
• Hyppönen&Enbuske Experience (later Tuomas&Juuso Experience) 2003-2006 (Nelonen)
• Komiikkatehdas/Komikfabrik 2005 ja 2006 (YLE TV 2 )
• Act!One 2004 (YLE TV 2)
• Relased a DVD “Hyvä keikka ja helvetisti ekstroja” in 2008
• Show at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh 2007-2008
• Performances at Galway Comedy Festival 2008
• Performed at comedy clubs in UK, Ireland and Norway

Rich Lyons

Rich -USA’s gift to Finland- has made a professional career as a comic in Finland for years. Rich explores a wide range of topics including the complications between men and women as well as the intercultural differences in his hilarious style. In addition, Rich is a musical talent with a magnificent singing voice and occasionally will include huorous songs in his set when the mood strikes him. He can be seen as well gigging as a singing pianist either by himself or with his band -The Usual Suspects.

• A screenwriter in e.g. the comedy series Tulta päin (YLE TV 2) 1998
• TV performances e.g. in the programs 45 minutes and Ihana aamu

Phillip Schwarzmann

Phil Schwarzmann is a nice guy. Chasing tail he left the US for Finland, finally finding a girl who’d laugh at his jokes. He started the popular “Finland for Thought” blog to whine about high taxes and Finnish drinking habits. His standup features family-friendly dick jokes, fresh airplane observations, and making fun of Finnish drinking habits. Also Jewish humor. TV credits he’d like to have include: Def Comedy Jam, Live at the Apollo, and Arsenio Hall. Phil Schwarzmann is a bit of an asshole.
http://www.philschwarzmann.com

Tomi Walamies

Tomi spent his most important and most challenging years as a stand up comic in the comedy clubs of England. TomiŽs funny observations and sharp opinions can really surprise the audience. Tomi is a definite intellect comic whose stories have been praised in papers like New York Post and Helsingin Sanomat.

• TV performances in Finland, England and Belgium
• “Sharp, concise and imaginative lines of pure brilliance” Chortle.co.uk
• “Dead-pan accuracy with comic brilliance” Spoonfed London
• “Looks like an unkempt student late from class. The first laugh comes and doesn’t end. It’s infectious.” Apu-magazine
• “The Finnish idiot is satisfied with his gig.” Helsingin Sanomat

Louis Zezeran

Australian Louis Zezeran has lived in only 4 different countries, which makes him a disappointment by his countryman’s standards and he now uses the pretence of “stand up comedy” to disguise his general cultural insensitivity. While living in Finland, Louis secretly prays for another Russian invasion so in the ensuing peasant led revolt and anarchy he can claim to be a native Fin from 5 generations and get a citizenship. Alternatively in the likely scenario that Russia invades Estonia, his plan would work equally well there. You choose Putin.

Fun fact not everyone knows about Louis, he has a degree in computer science but like the parents who treat you well and you still abandon, he is long gone and now performs and organizes English comedy shows across Scandinavia.

www.zezeran.com