Alumna Stevie Martin returns to perform in Durham

The stand-up comedy show has been sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at the Soho Theatre in London recently.  

The Durham Revue 

Whilst at University, Stevie was part of The Durham Revue comedy sketch troupe, where she was auditioned by comedians Ed Gamble and Nish Kumar. The celebrated Durham Revue turned 50 last year, having helped to launch many successful performing careers. 

“I was auditioned by Nish Kumar and Ed Gamble (they were cool third years and I was a terrified fresher) and it’s the reason that I have my current career. Before I did the Revue, I was going to be a journalist and a writer. I still ended up doing that for a while, but I think I was fooling myself because I didn’t see comedy as a valid job; there were no female Durham Revue alumni who had gone on to do comedy professionally. Feels weird saying that now – look at Ambika Mod! Liz Kingsman! Tessa Coates! ME?! – but it’s really how I felt.”

From strength to strength 

Stevie worked as a journalist after graduating from Durham, but after three years, returned to performing as one third of comedy sketch group ‘Massive Dad’ with fellow alumni Liz Kingsman and Tessa Coates. Together the trio recorded a YouTube series in 2016.  

Stevie’s career is progressing from strength to strength, she has worked on British television comedy staples ‘8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown’, and ‘The Horne Section TV Show’. More recently she has been seen on television sketch show ‘Mitchell and Webb are Not Helping’ and Series 19 of British comedy panel game show ‘Taskmaster’. 

When asked for her advice to current graduates, Stevie commented: 

“it takes time to figure out what you want. You can have a creative career. Some of your dreams will change when you collide with reality, some will stay the same and some you will achieve and go, “oh no, this doesn’t feel good at all – why did I dream this? ... the reality is rarely as romantic as the dream – but if you can hold your nerve and keep your options open then you’ll be fine.” 

Successful careers 

Stevie Martin’s show ‘Clout’ is now sold out for October, but she plans to be back at the Gala Theatre in Durham in March 2026.  

Comedian and actor, Liz Kingsman has been in ‘F1-The Movie’ with Brad Pitt and the upcoming film ‘Hail Mary’ alongside Ryan Gosling.  

Tessa Coates is a successful comedian, writer and podcaster. She has recently written and been an executive producer on Amazon Prime series Ride or Die. The series features Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham and Bill Nighy and is due to launch next year. 

Read more:  

• About Stevie Martin and for March 2026 tickets  
• About Stevie Martin’s show ‘Clout’ at the Gala Theatre, Durham 
• About Mitchell and Webb are not Helping 
• About Taskmaster series 19 
• About The Durham Revue 
• About Durham alumni  

Images: 

• Banner - The Durham Revue on stage (Stevie Martin with fellow alum Hugo Soul)
• Stevie on stage - credit: Oliver Blustin

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