A great comedian can make an event. The wrong one can make it very awkward, very quickly. Comedy is in our name, so here’s our guide to booking a comedian for a corporate event, party, wedding or fundraiser – and getting it right.
Where comedy works best
- Corporate dinners and awards nights – a comedian as host or after-dinner act keeps the evening flowing. See our corporate comedians.
- Christmas parties – a short, sharp set before the dancing starts.
- Weddings – a wedding comedian before the speeches is a brilliant icebreaker, and some even pose as staff or guests for a surprise reveal.
- Birthday and private parties – from an intimate dinner to a full comedy night. Browse comedians for parties.
- Fundraisers and charity events – a comedian who can also run an auction is worth their weight in gold.
- Venues and hospitality – regular comedy nights bring in new customers on quieter evenings.
Choose the right type of act
Stand-up comedian
A set of usually 20–45 minutes. Ideal after dinner or as the centrepiece of a comedy night.
Comedy host or compère
Keeps the whole event moving – introducing speakers, presenting awards and filling any gaps. Perfect for awards ceremonies and conferences.
Comedy magician
Laughs and “how did they do that?” moments, either on stage or mingling with guests. A great all-rounder.
Famous and TV comedians
A household name adds real prestige to a big corporate event or launch – but needs booking well in advance and a bigger budget.
How much does it cost to book a comedian?
It depends on who you book, how long they perform and where. As a rough guide:
- Experienced circuit comedians – typically a few hundred pounds for a club-style set.
- Private and corporate events – often from several hundred to a few thousand pounds, reflecting the extra preparation, clean material and travel involved.
- TV and household-name comedians – priced individually, and often considerably more.
Travel, accommodation and any tailored material (for example, jokes about your industry or company) can add to the fee. An agency can match acts to your budget quickly.
Six tips for getting comedy right
- Be clear about content. Tell the comedian whether it’s a clean corporate audience or an adults-only party – and anything that’s off limits.
- Get the timing right. Comedy works best when people are seated, fed and before the bar has done too much work. Avoid putting a comedian on during dinner service.
- Sort the room. Guests should face the performer, with a microphone, good lighting and no big gaps between the act and the audience.
- Brief them properly. Share names, in-jokes and the tone you want. The best corporate comedians tailor their set to the room.
- Watch them first. Ask for recent, unedited footage of the comedian performing at a similar event.
- Book through someone you trust. An agency vets acts, handles the contract and has a back-up if anything goes wrong.
Why book with Jokers?
For 20 years Jokers has supplied comedians to clubs, venues, cruise ships, corporate clients and private parties across the UK and beyond. We know which acts suit a boardroom and which suit a stag do – and we’ll make sure you get the right one.
Tell us about your event and we’ll send you a shortlist of comedians to fit your audience and budget, or call us on 0208 016 9581.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a comedian perform for?
Most sets at private and corporate events are 20–45 minutes. A compère or host is with you for the whole event.
Can a comedian keep it clean?
Yes – many of our comedians specialise in clean, corporate-friendly material. Just tell us your audience when you enquire.
How far in advance should I book?
For Christmas parties and Saturdays, two to three months ahead is sensible; for famous names, the earlier the better.