Edinburgh Fringe Preview Vix Leyton - Chief Petty Officer + Stephen Catling - Clownfish Out Of Water
The Fat Cat, Sheffield, S3 8SA
Thursday 11th June 2026
Sheffield comedy fans can catch two distinctive new Edinburgh Fringe shows before they head north this summer, as Welsh comedian and podcast host Vix Leyton brings her sharp comedy lecture Chief Petty Officer together with Stephen Catling’s surreal and deeply personal Clownfish Out of Water for a special double bill in the city. Blending stand-up, storytelling and big ideas, the night promises everything from historical grudges and passive aggression to identity, vulnerability and absurdity, showcasing two bold new voices developing ambitious new work ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Chief Petty Officer
What do 50 Cent, elephants, Lord Buckethead and the wife of the man who definitely did not buy adult films on pay-per-view have in common? You’ll find out
Chief Petty Officer is a sharp, visually driven comedy lecture about history’s smallest grudges and the moment they go too far. From imperial overreach to pop culture beefs, stand-up comedian and consumer champion Vix Leyton dissects petty acts that accidentally changed the world, plotting them on an ambitious scientific framework to determine who stopped at the peak – and who disastrously doubled down. Smart, structured nonsense with bite, insight and a whole lot of laughs. Vix is serious about pettiness, and she has a lot of views to share.
Perfect for a BBC Radio 4-leaning brain, history lovers, anyone who has ever briefly considered placing Lego in someone’s shoe, and 50 Cent – he’ll love this.
Discovered by Mark Watson on Twitter in 2019, Welsh comic exiled to Sheffield, Vix Leyton is a natural storyteller with a keen eye for observation, combining warm, whimsical charm, as well as a PR hustler. You’ve maybe heard of her, you just might not know how – could be comedy, could be her consumer champion alter-ego who talks about Clubcard points on BBC morning Live. A Funny Women awards stage semi finalist, finalist for the Industry award and named as ‘One to watch’ in 2023. Not so new comedian of the year 2024 finalist.
Her panel show podcast ‘The Comedy Arcade’ is both an audio success and compelling live show, picking up a nomination for Leicester Comedy’s best podcast in 2021 and racking up sell out shows at Edinburgh Fringe. Regular MC for pro nights including Red Imp Comedy, The Stand and Outside the Box. You can also watch her Special on OUTflix – an adaptation of her 4* debut ‘Antihero’
“Bursting with impish energy, exudes an infectious delight” Robin Ince
"Vix has a talent for reading a room and playing with an audience. She is funny, charismatic, resourceful and likely to achieve great things’ Mark Watson
‘Charming, surprisingly dark and gonna be famous’ Andrew O’Neill
‘Like hanging with your funniest BFF.’ Fringe Biscuit
‘joyously full of funny’ The Scotsman
‘Purest stand up comedian I have seen in years’ BroadwayBaby
‘Affable and ebullient’ Steve Bennett, Chortle.
Clownfish Out Of Water
Award winning comic Stephen Catling brings you his new WIP
When clowns can't breathe water and fish can't breathe air- what's a poor clownfish to do in this cruel world?In 2025, Catling (Malcolm Hardee Award Nominee 2023 & 2025) lost his slug mask. It was an essential part of his hit show ‘Moving on...really really slowly.’
This time, Stephen explores his life now that Autism has been “unmasked,” as well as his fin flapping rage against an increasingly soulless entertainment industry who knows what is going to be in store? A burlesque performing cabbage/lettuce? A rendition of Robbie Williams musical biopic Betterman but they casted a real chimp? Rage against the machine (Generative AI)?Disclaimer: The show is not going to be about a literal clownfish or finding nemo. A colleague back in his lab days described him lovingly as psychotic Mighty Boosh and The British comedy guide called him “A bucking bronco of surrealism and scruffiness” if this sounds like your bag welcome aboard the crazy train.
"His delivery is brilliantly playful" Everything Theatre
“This is a very different voice on the comedy circuit and one it is important to hear from.” Brighton and Hove news
"Very unique act in a strange but absolutely hilarious way had audience howling. " The Stand
"Magnificently irreverent...charming and utterly bonkers " The Review Hub"Everything from silly one-liners, to props, to a surprisingly raw honesty that cuts through the surrealness like a knife" Fringe Fry Up
"He’s an interesting performer....I’d definitely like to see him again" Beyond the Joke (Bruce Dessau)
"I found myself at different times laughing out loud, staring wide-eye’d, gushing with joy & wondering what the damninnit was going on!" Mumble
Chief Petty Officer
What do 50 Cent, elephants, Lord Buckethead and the wife of the man who definitely did not buy adult films on pay-per-view have in common? You’ll find out
Chief Petty Officer is a sharp, visually driven comedy lecture about history’s smallest grudges and the moment they go too far. From imperial overreach to pop culture beefs, stand-up comedian and consumer champion Vix Leyton dissects petty acts that accidentally changed the world, plotting them on an ambitious scientific framework to determine who stopped at the peak – and who disastrously doubled down. Smart, structured nonsense with bite, insight and a whole lot of laughs. Vix is serious about pettiness, and she has a lot of views to share.
Perfect for a BBC Radio 4-leaning brain, history lovers, anyone who has ever briefly considered placing Lego in someone’s shoe, and 50 Cent – he’ll love this.
Discovered by Mark Watson on Twitter in 2019, Welsh comic exiled to Sheffield, Vix Leyton is a natural storyteller with a keen eye for observation, combining warm, whimsical charm, as well as a PR hustler. You’ve maybe heard of her, you just might not know how – could be comedy, could be her consumer champion alter-ego who talks about Clubcard points on BBC morning Live. A Funny Women awards stage semi finalist, finalist for the Industry award and named as ‘One to watch’ in 2023. Not so new comedian of the year 2024 finalist.
Her panel show podcast ‘The Comedy Arcade’ is both an audio success and compelling live show, picking up a nomination for Leicester Comedy’s best podcast in 2021 and racking up sell out shows at Edinburgh Fringe. Regular MC for pro nights including Red Imp Comedy, The Stand and Outside the Box. You can also watch her Special on OUTflix – an adaptation of her 4* debut ‘Antihero’
“Bursting with impish energy, exudes an infectious delight” Robin Ince
"Vix has a talent for reading a room and playing with an audience. She is funny, charismatic, resourceful and likely to achieve great things’ Mark Watson
‘Charming, surprisingly dark and gonna be famous’ Andrew O’Neill
‘Like hanging with your funniest BFF.’ Fringe Biscuit
‘joyously full of funny’ The Scotsman
‘Purest stand up comedian I have seen in years’ BroadwayBaby
‘Affable and ebullient’ Steve Bennett, Chortle.
Clownfish Out Of Water
Award winning comic Stephen Catling brings you his new WIP
When clowns can't breathe water and fish can't breathe air- what's a poor clownfish to do in this cruel world?In 2025, Catling (Malcolm Hardee Award Nominee 2023 & 2025) lost his slug mask. It was an essential part of his hit show ‘Moving on...really really slowly.’
This time, Stephen explores his life now that Autism has been “unmasked,” as well as his fin flapping rage against an increasingly soulless entertainment industry who knows what is going to be in store? A burlesque performing cabbage/lettuce? A rendition of Robbie Williams musical biopic Betterman but they casted a real chimp? Rage against the machine (Generative AI)?Disclaimer: The show is not going to be about a literal clownfish or finding nemo. A colleague back in his lab days described him lovingly as psychotic Mighty Boosh and The British comedy guide called him “A bucking bronco of surrealism and scruffiness” if this sounds like your bag welcome aboard the crazy train.
"His delivery is brilliantly playful" Everything Theatre
“This is a very different voice on the comedy circuit and one it is important to hear from.” Brighton and Hove news
"Very unique act in a strange but absolutely hilarious way had audience howling. " The Stand
"Magnificently irreverent...charming and utterly bonkers " The Review Hub"Everything from silly one-liners, to props, to a surprisingly raw honesty that cuts through the surrealness like a knife" Fringe Fry Up
"He’s an interesting performer....I’d definitely like to see him again" Beyond the Joke (Bruce Dessau)
"I found myself at different times laughing out loud, staring wide-eye’d, gushing with joy & wondering what the damninnit was going on!" Mumble
