I have had the pleasure of working with Vanessa a couple of times. She is a tremendously versatile and talented actor who embodies that special quality every director craves, ‘watchability’.

— STEVE CONNELLY (Winner of 4 BAFTA’s, Yonderland, Horrible Histories)

Vanessa-Faye studied clowning and comedy at Lecoq with Jos Huben, and also with Phillipe Gaulier and Mick Barnfather. As a writer/performer, she has been in development talks with production houses Talkback and Objective, and the producer Charlie Hanson (ExtrasDerek), Baby Cow’s Richard Grocock (Garth MarneghiDNNCitizen KhanSome Girls) and comedy guru Victoria Pile (GreenwingSmack The Pony).

To see more of Vanessa-Faye’s comedy characters and creations, you can visit her VanStanTheMan youtube channel here.

LIKE-A-LOOKS

(UK Sitcom Trials 2016 Winner)

Writer, Performer, Director

Look-A-Likes was conceived by Vanessa-Faye Stanley and Kate Bowes Renna. The pilot script was performed live in London and went on to win the UK Finals at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh 2016.

"An exciting world which sparkles with witty dialogue and funny one liners" BAFTA Rocliffe.

To see the trailer for the sitcom click here

 

CBBC’s DIDDY MOVIES

(BBC)

Contributing performer.

Vanessa-Faye starred alongside Dick and Dom in this critically acclaimed TV show.

You can watch the episodes here and here.

BEND IT LIKE BINDA

(Promo for a Pilates Guru with Sharp Teeth and a Neon Soul)

 Performer, Director, Writer

In eda's bowl

(A Food Blog Spoof with Eda Haversome-Bacon)

 Performer, Director, Writer

 

BIRDS AND BEES 

(London Short Film Festival 2017, Best Shorts Competition Winner 2016, Funny Women Semi-Finalist 2016)

 Performer, Director, Writer

The facts of life. Complicated.

A comedy short where a teacher who can't handle the truth tries to teach the young inmates of Crock-Ash Heights about bodies and bees.

 

 

 

ABC dead

performer and collaborator

Funny Women Awards 2015 finalist, in collaboration with The Huffington Post, this silent slapstick one-hander stars Vanessa-Faye and was a collaboration with film maker Camilla Robinson. Inspired by the dark tales of Edward Gorey, ABCDead is a gothic tale of of sadness and woe.  It traces the decline of Amy, Basil, Cynthia and Doris who all come to untimely ends (for which Vanessa also choreographed the movement), and in the most fashionable attire.

 

THE HISTORY GIRLS

Director, Writer, Performer

Described as “a sort of Bronte Python”(Chortle) from “a crack team of female sketch comedians" (Three Weeks),The History Girls came together over a love of British humour, idiots, and the fact that despite multiple English degrees and black belts in mime, they still didn’t know anything at all. So they named themselves “The History Girls” and decided to tell the History of The Empire.

Best Show Award nominees at Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival 2012, they won the Co-filmic Audience Award (2011) and were semi-finalists in the Laughing Horse New Act Competition in 2010. They have collaborated on projects with several talented people including directors David Sant (Peepolykus), Steve Connelly (Horrible Histories, Yonderland) and Cal McCrystal (One Man Two Guv'nors, Spymonkey). Their show A Summary of Things So Far… was developed with funding from the Arts Council, and enjoyed a run at the Jermyn Street Theatre, London, before selling-out at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh 2012. With Objective Productions (Peepshow) they filmed a series of sketches for BBC Online Comedy under Ben Farrell (ex Executive Comedy producer at the BBC), who declared they were "the best sketch show I've seen in 9 years!"

View a selection of their BBC sketches here and here.

Ideal Heating sponsored The History Girls and commissioned this ident for the 2012 Olympics

CHRISTMAS STARTY (Theatre)

Contributing director, writer, performer

Vanessa has created work for Gideon Reeling’s Christmas Starty.

Unashamedly bizarre and full-fat fun
— Timeout

 

Cenerentola TOUR (Madame Jojos)

Contributing writer, performer

photography: Karim Muasher

photography: Karim Muasher

With twisted comedy, bawdy burlesque and a hint of Pantomime - Cenerentola mixes childhood nostalgia, a night out to a strip joint and a side show freak act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER COMEDY

AS A DIRECTOR

Boileroom Presents… Show and Tell
A series of themed monthly cabarets inspired by silent movies, film noire and stylish comedy. Treats include special guest performers, a live band and a real octogenarian tap-dancing granny.

Robin and Partridge's Robin Dies at the End of the Show
From the seriously talented comedy duo, Robin Dies at the End of the Show was awarded a series of four and five stars reviews in 2014.

IMPROVISATION TROUPE

Vanessa-Faye performed regularly across London with the musical improvisation team MIT, coached by Showstoppers member Justin Brett.