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Graham Dickson

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Graham Dickson
Dickson in 2025
Born1985 or 1986 (age 39–40)
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
EducationUpright Citizens Brigade
Notable workAustentatious
Comedy career
Years active2011–present

Graham Dickson (born 1985 or 1986)[1] is an English writer, actor and comedian. He is a founding member of Austentatious as well as co-founder and creative director of the improvised comedy theatre The Free Association (or The FA) in London.

Early life

[edit]

Dickson was born in Leeds and moved to Hertfordshire when he was five years old.[2] He trained at New York Film Academy, Upright Citizens Brigade, and East 15.[3]

Dickson has cited an early love of The Simpsons as "by far the biggest comedic influence of my life".[4]

Career

[edit]

Dickson is a founding member of the Jane Austen-themed improvisational comedy troupe Austentatious, performing regularly with the group since 2011.[5] In 2014, the show won the Chortle Award for Best Character, Improv or Sketch Act.[6]

Dickinson noted the lack of a UK improv training school and theatres to match U.S. institutions such as UCB, IO and The Second City, and was inspired to found The Free Association in 2014 alongside comedy duo Max & Ivan.[7] After starting out as an improv troupe, the group began hosting classes and shows at the De Beauvoir Arms in Haggerston and the Lord Stanley in Camden.[8] In October 2025, a new purpose-built venue was opened in the Old Union Yard Arches in Southwark.[9] Dickson is currently Creative Director of The FA.[10]

At Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017, Dickson performed his show Graham Dickson is The Narcissist. The show featured commentary by director Hamish MacDougall live from the tech box.[11] The following year, he performed Timber at the festival, a show which explored themes of the MeToo movement.[12]

In 2018, Dickson co-wrote and starred in the short film Down From London with Liz Kingsman which was later expanded into a web miniseries.[13] For his work on the series, Dickson received a nomination for Best Online Comedy at the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 2020.[14]

Dickson appeared in supporting roles in After Life in 2019,[15] PLS Like in 2021,[16] and Witchfinder in 2022.[17]

Dickson played the "posh cokehead" Archie in the 2021 comedy horror film All My Friends Hate Me.[18] His performance was described by one critic as "outstanding".[19]

With a cast of improvisers from The Free Association, Dickson created and directed St Doctor’s Hospital, a show inspired by medical dramas. After debuting in The FA's venue at the time (upstairs at De Beauvoir Arms) it ran at the VAULT Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023. It since runs as monthly residency at the new permanent venue of The FA.[20][21][22]

In 2024, Dickson starred in the dark comedy film King Baby, which premiered at International Film Festival Rotterdam.[23] He also brought his latest solo show No One Deserves This More Than You to Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024. This show explored the frustrations of the acting industry and involved the audience reading parts in fictional self-tape scenarios.[24]

Dickson performs regularly as an ensemble actor in the improv show Kool Story Bro, hosted by Kiell Smith-Bynoe.[25] Together with Steen Raskopoulos, he also performs in Graham and Steen, which was part of Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2025 and 2026.[26]

[edit]

Graham Dickson at IMDb

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Always Be Comedy (2025-10-13). The Always Be Comedy Podcast : Graham Dickson. Retrieved 2026-08-23 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ "Graham Dickson". BeMe Theatre. 2013-02-11. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  3. ↑ Bennett, Steve. "Graham Dickson: Timber : Reviews 2018 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  4. ↑ Gibsone, Harriet (2019-10-11). "Graham Dickson: 'My cat's pretty funny, he reminds me of Gene Wilder'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  5. ↑ "Austentatious: the cult comedy troupe bringing Jane Austen's 'lost works' to the West End". The Telegraph.
  6. ↑ ChortleUK (2014-03-28). Chortle Awards 2014: Best character, improv or sketch group: Austentatious. Retrieved 2026-08-23 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ Aroesti, Rachel (2025-03-24). "Improv was British comedy's 'ugly stepchild' – so why is it enjoying a resurgence?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  8. ↑ "London's Getting A Brand New Improv Comedy Venue". Londonist. 2025-09-11. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
  9. ↑ Raven, Paul (2025-10-14). "Improv comedy company The Free Association to launch new London venue | West End Theatre". Retrieved 2026-08-24.
  10. ↑ "Team | The Free Association". www.thefreeassociation.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  11. ↑ "Comedy review: Graham Dickson is The Narcissist". The Scotsman. 2017-08-26. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  12. ↑ "Edinburgh Fringe 2018 review: Graham Dickson - The Skinny". www.theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  13. ↑ Armitstead, Claire (2022-11-27). "Liz Kingsman: 'Who is this woman who feels she can go on stage and make people laugh?'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  14. ↑ Arandjelovic-Vaughan, Benjamin (2019-12-04). "Writers' Guild Awards 2020". The Writers' Guild of Great Britain. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  15. ↑ Guide, British Comedy. "After Life: Series 3, Episode 3". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  16. ↑ "BBC Three - Pls Like, Series 3, Arts & Culture". BBC. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
  17. ↑ Guide, British Comedy. "The Witchfinder: Series 1, Episode 4". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
  18. ↑ "All My Friends Hate Me review: a very British comedy". BFI. 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  19. ↑ "All My Friends Hate Me: a sublimely cringey comedy about millennials, their fibs and their failures". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  20. ↑ Caplin, Steve (2022-03-18). "Review: St Doctors Hospital, De Beauvoir Arms". Everything Theatre. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  21. ↑ "REVIEW – Theatre At The Fringe -St Doctor's Hospital: The Improvised Medical Drama". Welcome to The Phoenix Remix. 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  22. ↑ "Edinburgh Fringe Q&A - Graham Dickson (St. Doctor's Hospital): 'It's a wonderful playground to be very silly in'". The Sunday Post. 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  23. ↑ Balaga, Marta (2024-01-15). "'King Baby' Directorial Duo Kit & Arran Talk 'Mischievous' Sense of Humor, Upcoming 'How Dare You,' 'Jericho' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  24. ↑ Logan, Brian (2024-08-25). "Graham Dickson: No One Deserves This More Than You review – dependably funny desperation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  25. ↑ Guide, British Comedy. "Kool Story Bro". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  26. ↑ Magazine, Edinburgh Festivals (2025-08-04). "Graham and Steen". Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
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