Ava Vidal is a cool and composed performer with an intriguing past. She was a teenage mum, she earned a living as a prison officer before turning to stand-up, a move inspired by watching Chris Rock.
Ava became a mother at 18, and spent five years as a prison guard at Pentonville. A chance viewing of a Chris Rock routine inspired her to pursue a career in comedy, and she quickly became a fixture of the stand-up circuit.
Ava Vidal juggles motherhood with a hectic schedule of club dates and TV appearances, both as a comedian and a commentator. Critically judged as ‘a face of the future’, Ava performs in the UK, America, Canada and Australia, and is an occasional journalist.
Ava Vidal has become a regular presence on television since she turned heads as the BBC New Comedy Awards’ only female finalist in the very first year of her career. She has appeared on Mock the Week, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Comedy Central’s The World Stands Up, Edinburgh and Beyond and C4 reality show Kings of Comedy.
Ava was the subject of the documentary From the Top, detailing her background and development as a comedian.
As a commentator, Ava has contributed to The Wright Stuff, Daybreak, ITN News and BBC World Have Your Say. She has written for The Independent and The Guardian, and has used racist abuse directed at her as fuel for her acclaimed solo stand-up show.
In a less serious vein, she has also appeared on ‘a couple of Top 100 shows where people like me who have achieved nothing get to comment on more successful people that have made a few mistakes.’
‘Well-structured, well written and skilfully delivered’
The Scotsman
‘Effective laughs from a position not often heard… Juggles the profound and the irreverent rapidly alternating between the two.’
Chortle
‘Stand-up with a harsh, dark edge, a refreshing change from all the feel-good crap.’
Melbourne Age