Prepare for the Unexpected: USCF Presents – Live Table Read / Off the Cuff

Summer in Utrecht is about to get a lot more unpredictable. As the sun sets over the canals on Friday, 24 July, the basement vault energy of the city shifts into high gear. If you are looking for a night out that completely abandons the safety of a rehearsed script, make your way to the heart of the city. At 21:30, the Utrecht Summer Comedy Festival (USCF) is unleashing one of its most anticipated English-spoken formats of the season: Live Table Read / Off the Cuff.

Hosted at the iconic De Kargadoor (Oudegracht 36), this show promises a masterclass in spontaneous wit, creative chaos, and high-wire comedic tension. There are no safety nets, no teleprompters, and absolutely no filters.

The Concept: Comedy Without a Safety Net

What happens when you strip comedians of their meticulously polished material and force them to rely entirely on their raw instincts? You get Off the Cuff.

This fast-paced, playful comedy night brings together a brilliant panel of sharp local and international comedians who are willing to put their reputations on the line for your amusement. The entire evening is fueled by the ultimate wildcard: the audience.

As a comedy-goer, you are not just a passive observer in the crowd; you are the catalyst for the entire show. The comedians will look to you for topics, bizarre premises, and unexpected angles. A simple word, a strange piece of trivia, or an awkward personal anecdote thrown out by the audience could spark a ten-minute run of pure, unadulterated hilarity.

The beauty of Off the Cuff lies in its loose, lively, and beautifully chaotic structure. It features a brilliant mixture of quick-thinking riffs, experimental games, and impromptu table reads. Part of the joy is watching the performers on stage navigate the madness in real-time. You will get to witness the exact moment a joke is born, alongside the delightful friction of comedians actively trying to break each other character-wise and make their peers laugh just as hard as the audience.

The Masterminds Behind the Madness

A show this volatile requires exceptional guiding hands, and USCF has assembled a fantastic lineup to steer the ship.

• Emily Higgson (Host): Serving as your brilliant host for the evening, Emily is a force of nature in the European improv and comedy scene. Known for her infectious energy and lightning-fast crowd work, she is the perfect ringmaster for this evening of beautiful chaos. She knows exactly how to coax the best (and weirdest) suggestions out of the audience and channel them directly into comedic gold.

• Steven Morgan: Joining the panel is the seasoned and brilliantly sharp Steven Morgan. Steven possesses the rare ability to find the surreal angle in absolutely any situation, making him a lethal weapon in a live riffing environment.

• And Many Others: In true festival spirit, the panel will be rounded out by a revolving door of stellar international talent, fresh festival voices, and seasoned veterans from the Utrecht International Comedy Festival community.

The Venue: De Kargadoor

Throughout July and August, the large hall of De Kargadoor transforms into the ultimate comedy oasis. Situated right on the beautiful Oudegracht, this venue is legendary for its intimate atmosphere, making it the perfect incubator for raw, independent comedy.

The Utrecht Summer Comedy Festival prides itself on total autonomy on stage. With no restrictive funds and no filters, the comedians have complete creative freedom. When you step into the main hall on 24 July, you are stepping into the rawest, most authentic comedy experience of the summer.

Discover Your Own Comedic Voice

Did watching the pros spin gold out of thin air inspire you? Don’t let the laughter stop at De Kargadoor. If you have ever fancied stepping up to the microphone or mastering the art of the quick-witted comeback, look into our English Comedy Courses. Whether you are a absolute beginner looking to build public speaking confidence or an aspiring writer searching for your unique comedic voice, our structured courses provide a supportive, brilliant environment to learn the craft from experienced industry professionals.

Bring the Laughs to Your Team

If you want to inject some of this vibrant, high-energy entertainment into your professional life, we have you covered. You can book our professional Corporate Shows for your next company event, team-building day, or celebration. We bring the city’s finest comedic talent directly to your team, tailoring the clean (or edgy!) humour to perfectly suit your corporate culture.

Event Details & Tickets

• Date: Friday, 24 July 2026

• Time: 21:30

• Location: De Kargadoor (Main Hall), Oudegracht 36, 3511 AP Utrecht

• Language: English

Secure Your Spot:

Because Off the Cuff is one of the standout international English concepts of USCF 2026, tickets are expected to move fast. Spaces in the main hall of De Kargadoor are limited to maintain that electric, close-quarters comedy vibe.

Keep a close eye on our official schedule and social media channels. Grab your tickets early to take full advantage of our tiered summer discounts. Come prepared with your strangest thoughts, your wildest suggestions, and get ready for a scorching night of pure comedy.

Utrecht is a city celebrated for its stunning medieval architecture, serene canals, and famously polite society. It is a place where bicycles gently rattle over cobblestones, and locals sip coffee in picturesque cafes. However, there is a distinct undercurrent of rebellion bubbling beneath the surface, waiting for the sun to set. Leave your polite sensibilities at the door and prepare yourself for an evening of spectacular savagery.

Welcome to the Haters’ Ball. This is not just another pleasant night out; it is the most notorious, unrelenting, and side-splittingly brutal night of stand-up comedy in the entire city. Hosted by the legendary Comedyhuis, this strictly All English Comedy Night takes the traditional stand-up format, tears it to shreds, and dances on the remains.

The Venue: The Underbelly of Utrecht

Situated at the iconic Oudegracht 36, the venue itself provides the perfect backdrop for this descent into comedic madness. Deep within the historic wharf cellars of the city centre, the arched brick ceilings create an incredibly intimate, almost gladiatorial arena. The acoustics are designed to capture every gasp, every shock, and every roaring wave of laughter.

When the lights go down in this subterranean cavern, the outside world and all its rules of etiquette simply vanish. What replaces them is a raw, electric atmosphere where the only currency that matters is how hard you can make the room laugh, usually at someone else’s expense.

The Art of the Roast: Where Nothing is Sacred

The Haters’ Ball is entirely dedicated to the time-honoured art of the roast. For the uninitiated, a roast is a unique comedic discipline where the usual rules of polite engagement are entirely suspended. It is a celebration of sharp-tongued insults, unapologetically dark humour, and the kind of razor-sharp wit that leaves a mark.

While modern entertainment can sometimes feel overly cautious or sanitised, this particular event serves as a magnificent antidote. It is a place where comedians are actively encouraged to cross the line, find the line again, and then obliterate it completely. This night is about celebrating the sheer, wicked joy of a perfectly crafted verbal takedown.

Gladiators of Grief: The Line-up

Of course, pulling off a successful night of relentless insults requires an exceptionally high calibre of talent. For this special edition, Comedyhuis is bringing together a fiercely talented roster of top-tier international comedians. These are seasoned professionals who have honed their craft in comedy clubs across the globe, from the bustling circuits of London and Edinburgh to the vibrant scenes of New York and Sydney.

However, the Haters’ Ball demands something entirely different from their usual polished routines. Instead of delivering their tried-and-tested observational humour or charming personal anecdotes, these comedians will be turning their formidable talents against one another.

Picture a stage filled with comedic heavyweights trading barbs, dissecting each other’s flaws, and finding the most hilariously cruel ways to take their peers down a notch. It is a psychological battle of wits where no topic is off-limits and no ego is spared. You will witness comedians picking apart their colleagues’ appearances, career choices, personal lives, and deepest insecurities, all in the name of entertainment. The beauty of this format lies in the contrast between the viciousness of the words and the underlying mutual respect required to deliver them. It takes a remarkable amount of trust and camaraderie for comedians to verbally destroy each other so thoroughly, making the resulting laughter all the more genuine and infectious.

Front Row Folly: A Warning to the Brave

The danger does not stop at the edge of the stage. A crucial element of the Haters’ Ball is its thrilling unpredictability, and that includes the audience. If you are brave enough to purchase a ticket, you must understand the risks involved, particularly if you choose to sit in the front row.

The front row at this event is essentially the comedic equivalent of a splash zone. While the comedians will spend plenty of time roasting each other, they are always looking for fresh meat. A rogue haircut, an unusual outfit, or simply making eye contact at the wrong moment could instantly make you the target of a masterfully crafted insult. Sitting near the stage requires a thick skin and a willingness to become part of the show. It is a fast-paced, high-energy environment where the performers feed off the tension and reactions of the crowd.

If you are singled out, the best course of action is to simply laugh along and appreciate the immense skill it takes to construct a joke at your expense in real time. Naturally, if you prefer to observe the carnage from a safe distance, there are plenty of seats further back where you can enjoy the show without the fear of becoming the punchline.

Essential Event Information

To ensure you are fully prepared for the chaos, please keep the following details in mind before securing your tickets:

• Content Warning: This show contains incredibly adult themes, colourful language, and unapologetically dark humour. It is strictly not for the easily offended.

• The Vibe: Fast-paced, high-energy, and completely ruthless.

• Location: Comedyhuis, Oudegracht 36, Utrecht.

• Language: The entire performance will be conducted in English.

• Dynamic Line-up: The world of live comedy is unpredictable. The line-up of international acts can change at the very last moment due to touring schedules or surprise drop-ins.

• Updates: For the absolute latest news, announcements, and final line-up confirmations, you are strongly advised to keep a close eye on the official Comedyhuis social media channels.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, the Haters’ Ball is more than just a comedy show; it is an unforgettable, cathartic experience. It is a rare opportunity to gather in a dark room with strangers and laugh uproariously at the darkest, most forbidden thoughts we all secretly harbour. It is a celebration of language, timing, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit when faced with a brilliantly constructed joke.

Gather your bravest friends, prepare your absolute best defensive laughter, and head down to the cellars of the Oudegracht. It is time to embrace the chaos, revel in the insults, and experience the very best of the worst that comedy has to offer.

The Essential Details

• Date: Thursday, 16th April 2026

• Time: Doors open at 19:45 | Show runs from 20:00 to approximately 22:30

• Venue: Upstairs at The Florin, Nobelstraat 4, 3512EN UTRECHT

• Tickets: Secure your seats right here!

What to Expect on the Night

Act One: Improv on Tap We kick off the night at 20:00 sharp with a warm welcome from your Master of Ceremonies, Steven Morgan. After getting the room warmed up and buzzing, he will hand the stage over to our fantastic in-house troupe, Improv on Tap. Featuring the brilliant comedic minds of Herre, Cait, Lisanne, Kaisa, and Arwen, this half of the show is entirely unscripted. Expect high-energy games, spontaneous characters, and hilarious scenes built entirely from your suggestions. No two shows are ever the same!

The Interval. At around 21:00, we will take a brief 15-minute breather. This is your chance to stretch your legs, head downstairs to The Florin’s wonderful bar to grab a pint or a cocktail, and chat about your favourite moments from the first half.

Act Two: Stand-Up Showcase Once everyone is settled back into their seats with fresh drinks, the second half of the evening shifts gears into a classic stand-up comedy club vibe. Steven Morgan takes the mic once more to guide you through a curated line-up of stellar stand-up talent. We are thrilled to feature sets from:

• Elina * Val * Plus a special guest to be announced!

Sit back and enjoy a rapid-fire succession of unique comedic voices and perfectly polished punchlines.

The Venue & Atmosphere

We host our shows in the cosy upstairs room at The Florin, creating an intimate, welcoming atmosphere that is absolutely perfect for live comedy. Capacity is limited to just 55 seats, ensuring every audience member feels like part of the action.

Because it is a school night, we aim to wrap the show up by 22:30. However, the fun does not have to stop there; you are more than welcome to stick around and enjoy a final drink with the acts in the downstairs bar before heading home.

Tickets are strictly limited, so please book in advance to avoid disappointment. We cannot wait to see you there for a pint and a laugh!

Doors Open: 19:45

Showtime: 20:00

Pizza before the show? Please make a reservation at https://www.depizzabakkers.nl/vestigingen/maastricht-tongersestraat/

About the Comedians:

Zuva Martens (Zim)
Zuva Martens began his career as a stand-up comedian in 2016. Since then he’s represented The Netherlands at Stand Up for Eurovision in 2023, he’s been tour support for Bassem Youssef, Todd Barry, and Fern Brady, and he’s written for BBC TWO’s Mock the Week panellist Ria Lina.

He is a comedian with a sharp edge hidden in his soft and fluffy exterior. A bit nerdy and bit political, he finds the funny in his personal life, culture, and politics— mostly at his own expense. Touring all over Europe, Zuva is quickly becoming one of the most talked about comedians on the European comedy circuit.

Steven Morgan (Wal)

Described as “Robin Williams during his coke days times three” (Out Of Order Podcast), Steven is a Welsh standup and improviser who has performed across the world from Japan to Jakarta. With an energy that borders on the unhinged, Steven cut his chops in Brisbane, Australia where he ran the Brisbane Fringe Festival and performed at the curated Brisbane Comedy Festival both in 2017. Since moving to The Netherlands he’s gone from strength to strength, running the legendary LYFAO comedy night and joining the easylaughs cast in 2020. He’s a regular around the country and can often be caught at comedy venues around thrilling audiences with his infectious energy and cutting wit.

Hermes Ahmadi (Afg)

An Afghan comedian living in the Netherlands, Hermes’ comedy is all about the clash of cultures!

He has always been fascinated by human behavior, so he decided to study sociology. When he found out humanity is even weirder than science can explain, the logical step for Hermes was to become a comedian. But let’s be honest, he himself isn’t normal either, with his weird diet and hitch hiking habit!