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 at The Old Nun’s Head 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 performance! However, we also have a new ideas form that acts as our Maker Bursary...
I hear you run a maker bursary, what’s that?
Yes! Our £50 maker bursary runs every month. If you have an idea that needs some extra support then please apply! We pick our favourite one each month and they receive fifty quid to create it on top of their performer fee. Bursary applications close on the second Friday of each month (Piñata day!) and reopen the following Monday. The recipient will be emailed that week and be booked for the following show. Fill out THIS FORM to apply!
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 sell 60 tickets online for £10, with a concession/unwaged ticket for a fiver. We sell 10 tickets on the door for a tenner.
We’re paid £200 by the pub for each show and with a sell out receive £515 from DICE and £100 from the door = £865 income.
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.
£50 goes to our maker bursary, to fund our favourite prop/costume idea submitted each month.
We pay out 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.