NORTH WEST COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR WINNER 2022

LEICESTER MERCURY COMEDY AWARD WINNER 2021

A bolshier Mrs Merton she’s not one to suffer fools lightly so watch out for a razor-sharp wit used at will.” The Skinny

Nina Gilligan sometimes outrageous, always hilarious with a charming, loveable persona which belies an acerbic wit.

Equally at home in clubs as art centre’s Nina is opening, closing and emceeing gigs up and down the country.

2021 saw her crowned as the WINNER of the prestigious Leicester Mercury Award after also Winning Liverpool Hot Water and being a finalist in English Comedian of The Year in previous year’s.

Recent work includes a sell-out show ‘Late Developer’ at Leicester Comedy Festival which is going on to The Edinburgh Fringe 2022 with Just The Tonic. Recent Tour Support includes Jason Manford, Clinton Baptiste and Rachel Fairburn.

Described as ‘A Gem of the Circuit’ and with an ability to ‘Transcend age barriers effortlessly’ she continues to rise through the comedy ranks.

“A hidden gem of the Circuit” Kiri Pritchard McLean

“Brilliant, an outstanding comic” Toby Foster (Phoenix Nights)

“Jonny Vegas meets Joan Rivers” Smug Roberts

“Naturally Funny” John Thomson (Cold Feet)

AWARDS

WINNER LEICESTER MERCURY AWARD 2021

WINNER LIVERPOOL HOTWATER COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR

Nominated Greater Manchester Fringe BEST COMEDY PLAY

ENGLISH COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2016

LIVE WORK: Opener/MC/Closer

Clubs include: The Comedy Store, Frog and Bucket, Just The Tonic, The Last Laugh, Manfords Comedy Clubs, Hifi, The Comedy Station, The Comedy Lounge, Rotunda

Tour Support: Jason Manford, Clinton Baptiste Paranormalist (Before the global pandemic he didn’t predict), Rod Woodward

TV CREDITS:

ITV Weather – Gate films ident (May 21-Oct 21)

BBC Three Sketch with Brennan Reece ‘The Office Christmas Party’

FESTIVALS:

Edinburgh 2022 ‘Late Developer’ Just The Tonic

Edinburgh 2019 ‘Broad Shoulders’ Just the Tonic

Coventry 2021 ‘Broad Shoulders’ Festival Producer, The Assembly- Alex Hall

Manchester Women in Comedy ‘Late Developer’, Festival producer- Jessica Perkins 

EDINBURGH FRINGE REVIEWS

BROAD SHOULDERS

Gilligan’s venturing through the world of adoption, trying to reunite with her biological family and discovering her own identity are all truly breath-taking.”

The Student 5 Stars

I STRONGLY suggest you join Nina Gilligan as she takes you through the story of her turbulent childhood, and revel in her brutal honesty and charming sass. Regardless of what age group you belong to Nina Gilligan’s Broad shoulders has something to offer everyone. With her relevance and broad range of topics, Nina transcends any perceived age barrier effortlessly. Or to steal her terminology she is no Milfo (mum I like to f***off)

DEADLINE NEWS 5 STARS

WRITING

Other work includes:Rescued written and performed for Greater Manchester Fringe Festival nominated Best New Play and Best Newcomer 2018.

REVIEW

Rescued is the latest work of talented comedian Nina Gilligan.

Rescued reveals itself to be an intelligently constructed and extremely witty creation. Delving into themes of mental health, relationships and recovery with a dark sense of reality and authenticity, this new play faces tough topics brazenly and with a bold humour.

Our protagonist Alice is a depressed middle-aged woman who is made to confront her situation and attend painfully but hilariously ‘mindful’ group CBT sessions. Cleverly balancing parallel narratives, Rescued follows the process of how someone, or something, can unexpectedly be the salvation Alice needs.

It is evident from the off that Rescued was produced by someone skilled in writing punchy one-liners for themselves. But beneath the shimmery surface of wit lie some very valid observations of and frustrations with the mental health system. Performing Alice with attitude and depth, Nina depicts very real anxieties and everyday communication issues with a gloriously dark humour.

NORTH WEST END

RADIO

A weekly radio show for an hour. Interviewing comedians about their inspirational idols of comedy. Gilligan’s Island ran for 18 months on Fab Radio International

Gilligan’s Island: FAB Radio International radio presenter

BBC Radio Sheffield

The Comedy Club – I wrote and performed stand up for a breakfast show during the pandemic over several weeks.

BBC Radio Manchester

Comedy Sketches : Written and performed for mental health awareness during pandemic

BBC Radio Lancashire: Performed Stand Up on several specials

(I’m on a list for the BBC called women 50/50 so if stories come out that I may be able to comment on I get asked. I have been on. BBC Radio 4 , BBC 5 Live, Woman’s Hour, Sky News. )