Bingo may be built around numbers, but at Dabbers Social Bingo, the person calling them matters just as much as the winning line.
This July, the London venue brings back its Bingo Comedy Caller Contest for a sixth year, inviting eight rising stars of comedy, cabaret and character performance to compete for the chance to become one of Dabbers’ resident hosts.
The competition returns with a larger £1,500 cash prize for the winner, while audiences can attend the shows for free and receive a complimentary cocktail, thanks to new sponsor WhichBingo.
The semi-finals take place on Friday 3 and Friday 10 July at Dabbers Social Bingo in Houndsditch, followed by the grand final on Friday 17 July. Each show will be hosted by musical comedian Katie Pritchard.
Dabbers launched in 2018 with the aim of giving traditional bingo a more theatrical update, combining the game with live entertainment, immersive themes, music, comedy and high-energy hosts. Its annual Comedy Caller Contest has since become an opportunity for emerging performers to test their humour, charisma and originality in front of a live audience.
The opening semi-final on 3 July features Kudzanayi Chiwawa, Paul Aitchison as Klaus Fantastiche, Kathy Maniura as The Cycling Man and Rachel Baker as Gwen.
Kudzanayi Chiwawa is a South London-raised actor turned comedian who began performing through Soho Labs. Chiwawa now appears regularly on the comedy circuit and at events including FOC It Up! at Soho Theatre, as well as winning gong shows including Big Belly.
Comedy actor Paul Aitchison appears as Klaus Fantastiche, a character comedy magician and mind reader who describes himself as the “Wurst magician”. Aitchison has headlined on cruise ships including Virgin and P&O, sold out a show at the Pleasance EICC and has writing and performance credits for BBC Radio 4. His sketch act Mixed Doubles won the DAVE People’s Choice Award and reached the finals of Sketch Off.
Kathy Maniura brings The Cycling Man, a middle-aged and newly single character who has spent the salary of an NHS nurse in Decathlon and is on the verge of a breakdown. The show was among the best reviewed at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe and is currently on a Tour de UK. Maniura won Sketch Off in 2020 and was shortlisted for BBC New Comedian in 2023.
Rachel Baker competes as Gwen, described as a lovable but awful woman who loves to dance and is guaranteed to lift the energy. Baker has been named a Big Value Act for 2026, reached the Funny Women final and received a Birmingham Breaking Talent nomination. As Gwen, she has also won the Luke Rollason Sketch and Character Award and reached the Sketch Off final.
The second semi-final on 10 July brings together Nerine Skinner as Sadie The Motivator, Ben Pollard, Tara Boland as Dusty Creases and CJ Cabaret.
Nerine Skinner is an actor, comedian, improviser and writer. She was previously one half of the comedy double act Franks and Skinner before joining The Dots, who reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. Skinner also became known for her online Liz Truss parody videos and sold out her debut Edinburgh show in 2024.
Ben Pollard describes himself as a “demonic twink who was sent to Earth to rock you”. He has been a finalist in So You Think You’re Funny, the Musical Comedy Awards and LGBTQ New Comedian of the Year.
Tara Boland appears as Dusty Creases, a movement muse, choreographer and dancer who loves to dance “more than Gwyneth Paltrow loves vagina candles”.
Completing the line-up is CJ Cabaret, a multi-award-winning comedy burlesque performer who also works as an MC and stand-up comedian. CJ is a multiple gong show winner, including at The Comedy Store’s King Gong.
The winners of the two semi-finals will progress to the grand final on 17 July, where the competition will decide who takes home the prize and earns the opportunity to join Dabbers’ line-up of resident hosts.
By bringing together bingo, character comedy, cabaret and live performance, the contest reflects the venue’s wider approach to the game. The result is less quiet concentration in a traditional bingo hall and more of an unpredictable London night out.
Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller Contest
Venue: Dabbers Social Bingo, 18–22 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB
Friday 3 July at 7.30pm
Semi-final hosted by Katie Pritchard, featuring Kudzanayi Chiwawa, Paul Aitchison as Klaus Fantastiche, Kathy Maniura as The Cycling Man and Rachel Baker as Gwen.
Friday 10 July at 7.30pm
Semi-final hosted by Katie Pritchard, featuring Nerine Skinner as Sadie The Motivator, Ben Pollard, Tara Boland as Dusty Creases and CJ Cabaret.
Friday 17 July
The grand final, hosted by Katie Pritchard.
Get you free tickets here
Five things worth knowing — new openings, exhibitions, fashion drops, music releases and travel finds across Brighton, London and the South East. Sent every Saturday.
Just your email — that's all we need.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
