“Hilarious and quite brilliant” – Time Out

An exciting and thought-provoking stand-up with a
satirical and very silly edge, Hils is just now truly
coming into her own both as a performer and as a
writer. She is soon to be seen (as of 20th May) in
BBC3’s new sketch show, The Message, which she
co-wrote, scheduled for summer 2006. This is a TV
spin-off from the critically acclaimed radio show,
Radio9, for BBC Radio 4, which she created, co-
wrote and performed with Johnny Daukes. The two
series were broadcast in 2003 and 2005, repeated
in 2006 (see below for reviews).

She has also written for and appeared in topical
TV comedy such as The Late Edition (BBC 4) –
including writing for Marcus Brigstocke’s
monologue and appearing in her own news
segment – and The Comic Side of Seven Days (BBC
3), both 2005. She co-hosts her own satirical panel
game show, The Friday Night News Bonanza, at
the Arts Theatre Club in Soho. This has featured in
Bruce Dessau’s ‘Pick of the Week’ in the Evening
Standard, along with The Mighty Boosh, as being
comedy that is a refreshing change from the norm.

As an actress, she has appeared in comedy sketch
show Hello, I’m Jack Berry (BBC 2), and she has
performed various comedy characters and
impressions for animations such as Celebrity High
(Channel 4) and Waen Shepherd’s Origen’s Wake
(Channel 4), co-starring Mackenzie Crook.

She was a finalist in two major stand-up newcomer
competitions; Channel 4’s So You Think You’re
Funny? (2001) and Avalon’s Daily Telegraph Open
Mic Award (2002).

She is now turning her attention to creating her
debut solo show. For reviews of her previous work,
please see overleaf.






Hils Barker
Reviews:

“Absolutely fantastic.” Charles Nevin, The Guardian
“Barker’s multi-faceted humour has more teeth
than the sweet smile suggests.” The List
“A cynical intelligence and keen wit at
work…definitely one to watch.” Chortle
“Tore the roof off – far, far funnier than I can
explain here.”
XS Malarkey
“Sharp, fine-tuned material. ****” Sunday Herald
“Multi-talented guitar playing comedian” bbc.co.uk
“Hilarious… star of the night” – The Edinburgh
Guide
“Superbly witty… she does not seem afraid to try
out new material and stay away from the standard.
Hilarious.” funny.co.uk


Reviews for Radio9:

“From the first raucous jingle, you know Radio9 is
going to be a lot of laughs.” Sunday Times
“In the great English tradition of nonsensical
humour, laced with a dash of social satire. Spot-
on.” Financial Times
“Johnny Daukes and Hils Barker’s peculiar yet
splendid show about a radio station in a parallel
universe. Kind of.  **** ”Heat
“A hoot.” The Independent

Hils Barker