What is Piñata?
A comedy variety show based in South London started by Marion Burge and Michael Julings in 2015. We are an open collective of multi-disciplinary performers and makers that run a monthly night above a pub and one off specials at festivals.
What’s it like at a show?
We showcase the best up and coming comic variety performers and makers on the scene. No one performs for more than 10 minutes in a quick fire cabaret in three parts. We book a diverse range of fab acts and in between play videos, games and experiments before smashing a Piñata at the end!
What kind of performers can I expect to see?
Sketch, drag, burlesque, music, poetry, character, stand up, queer performance and everything in between! We book any expression as long as it’s funny. We encourage a DIY maker aesthetic, performance work which is like a Piñata - visually striking, lots of effort and never seen again!
Sounds like a laugh, how do I buy a ticket?
Join our mailing list to receive the ticket link first! You’ll receive one email a month inviting you to the show and extra invites to our one-off parties and festival shows. Alternatively you can follow us on Instagram or Twitter for updates, the ticket link is always in our bio.
I’m a performer, can I play at Piñata?
Most of the acts we book having seen them perform, so please invite us to an upcoming show! Alternatively you can email us with an idea for a 5 minute performance.
I’m a designer- illustrator animator - maker - photographer, how can I get involved?
Please send us your work! Our Piñatas are made by Flo Pick, but if you have an idea for a prop or Piñata and wanted to get involved just ask! Similarly if you work in props/makeup/costume and would like to work with us or a specific act, email heypinata@gmail.com and introduce yourself! We love connecting people and collaborating and will always try and find budget for great ideas!
Would I get paid?
Of course! We love financial transparency! We are an independent not for profit showcase. Below is our outline operating budget for our monthly show.
Act fees
5mins - £30
10mins - £50
We book 3x 5min slots and 3x 10min slots = £240 acts fees.
We pay our poster designer and photographer £75 each, and our Piñata maker £60.
We pay our tech £40 and door person £20.
We split £100 between the hosts and the remainder goes in the pot to help fund our festival shows and one off parties throughout the year.
Are you still making video content?
We are! Although we can’t promise consistent output as we put so much in to the live shows and have limited time. We always like hearing new ideas though so please email us if you have a script or ideas that you’d like help making.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see what we like to make.