Lisa Toogood for United Agents Presents THE THREE ENGLISHMEN OPTIMISTS

Following their sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, The Three Englishmen bring their 2011 smash-hit show Optimists back to London for three nights only! An hour of the funniest sketches and songs, this is the show that has cemented the boys' reputation as "One of the UK's best emerging sketch groups" (The Scotsman).

"COMIC EXCELLENCE... GO AND SEE THE THREE ENGLISHMEN OR ELSE" ***** (5 stars) Broadway Baby

A hugely enjoyable combination of the warmth of Morecambe and Wise, the darkness of the League of Gentlemen, the absurdity of Monty Python and the anarchy of Reeves and Mortimer and a positive smorgasbord of assorted sketches and musical delights, this is a show to waken even the most jaded comedy palate.
"AN INSPIRED HOUR OF SKETCHES" **** (4 stars) The List

The Three Englishmen (BBC2 & Musical Comedy Awards 2011 Finalists) are Ben Cottam, Nick Hall, Jack Hartnell and Tom Hensby.

They have been together since 2009, performing sketch and musical comedy across the UK, and gaining particular attention for their residency at the Canal Cafe Theatre, where they present a new hour of material every month. Their work marries the originality and inventiveness of experimental theatre with the instant gratification of sketch comedy.

Ben Cottam met Tom as part of Alcock Improv. They later formed The Three Englishmen, and were joined by Nick and Jack. He has worked as a TV development producer on various programmes including Louis Theroux specials and Radio comedies, such as The Now Show and The News Quiz. He worked with Armando Iannucci on the third series of The Thick Of It.

Nick Hall has been working in improvised comedy for nearly ten years, and formed his own troupe, Dead Man in a Box. He attempted to become a serious actor with performances in Gogol's The Government Inspector and Shakespeare's The Tempest (Bloomsbury Theatre), but this failed. He remains stuck in comedy.

Jack Hartnell has been at the Edinburgh Festival for nearly ten years, including acting in the La Trattoria Di Segreti (2005), writing and directing an adaptation of Thomas Mann's Faustus (2008), and choreographing the comedy musical A Grave Situation (2010).

Tom Hensby was a founding member of Alcock Improv. During his University years he performed in, directed, and wrote straight plays and comedies, being shortlisted for the Footlights Harry Porter Prize for Best New Comic Play and the RSC Other Prize for Best New Play.

www.thethreeenglishmen.co.uk

Venue: The Canal Cafe Theatre Cafe, Delamere Terrace, London, W2 6ND
Dates: 19th - 21st September 2011
Time: 9.30pm (10.30pm)
Box office: 0207 289 6054
Internet: www.canalcafetheatre.com

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