MAIA 

TASSALINI

COMEDY WRITER AND STAND-UP

Just a chubby half Italian girl trying to make it in the big city!

Boldly and despite it all a ‘woman’ in ‘comedy’, Maia Tassalini is a stand-up and comedy writer making waves in the London comedy circuit by being the first person to realise you can be a comedian and not dress like shit. A snappy dresser? I hardly even know her! No but in all seriousness she’s really funny and a total sweetie pie.

A finalist in the BBC New Comedian of the Year 2024 Competition, she has also written and produced her short film ‘GUTS’ which won best comedy short at the London Independent Film Festival. This August she’ll be at the Edinburgh fringe as part of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve.

Jump on Comedy, White City House
April 24

Leah Davis & Friends, The Conduit
May 13

Comedy Network, Corsham Pound Arts Centre
July 19

Upcoming gigs!

Promotional poster for "Some Night in Soho" event at Phoenix Arts Club. Features text with date, time, and photos of five people, including Jen Nolan and Leah Davis.

(This gig has obvs passed but it had to be left up for the dolls)

News!

Portrait of a woman smiling with her hand on her cheek, wearing earrings. Text overlays read 'Maia Tassalini' and 'The Pleasance Comedy Reserve 2025.'"

Maia has been awarded a place on the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve, where she’ll be one of four comedians performing at the Pleasance Jack Dome for the duration of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, following in the footsteps of Joe Lycett, Brett Goldstein, Roisin Conaty, Jamali Maddix, Lou Sanders, Chloe Petts, Sophie Duker and Jack Whitehall, plus loads more.

Maia was chosen by judges Babatunde Aléshé , Holly Walsh and Lara Ricote as the winner of the London and South East round of the BBC New Comedian of the Year Award, and appeared as one of six comedians in the Final on BBC One.

Woman in traditional dress holding a microphone on stage at BBC New Comedy Awards 2024
Group of people posing on stage in front of BBC One signage, some in formal attire, likely at a comedy event or awards.
Person on stage holding a microphone, wearing a sequined outfit, with a serious expression and pointing upwards.

Maia has just finished Soho Theatre’s prestigious Comedy Lab: Plus, an intensive mentoring and workshopping program for comedians run by Elf Lyons and Archie Maddocks, and was the opening act for the sold out showcase at Soho Downstairs.

Soho Theatre logo on a pink background.
Announcement of the Creative Access x McLaren Racing Bursary for 2023-24. Text includes "I have been awarded the Creative Access x McLaren Racing Bursary 2023-24!" Logos for Creative Access and McLaren Racing are present on a blue background.
Woman smiling, wearing pearl necklaces and a black top with "fcuk" written on it.

Maia has been awarded the esteemed Creative Access x McLaren Racing Bursary. She’s been awarded funds to support the festival run for 'GUTS' and as an acknowledgement of creative excellence.

Maia’s latest film project is GUTS, a short film she wrote and produced starring Jan Ravens

Animated poster for "Guts" short film featuring two stylized characters, one with pink hair holding a phone, against green checkered background. Credits include Jan Ravens, Maia Tassalini, and Florence Winter Hill.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing a dark top, sitting indoors and looking towards someone off-camera. The background is dimly lit.

GUTS centres on a meeting between Isla, an aspiring plus-size model, and Bev, her potential new agent who came of age in the 'nothing tastes as good as skinny feels' era and is drowning under the changing tides of the industry.

The film is inspired by Maia’s real-life experiences as a plus size model, and at its core GUTS interrogates the way in which the intersection of power and humiliation manifests itself in women's bodies. GUTS is also the basis of a 30-minute pilot, which is in development.

A woman sitting at a cluttered desk, talking on a smartphone while holding a pen. She appears to be in a home office with various papers and personal items scattered around. The wall behind her has framed art and motivational posters.

GUTS is executive produced by Lara Singer of Big Talk Productions (The Outlaws, Peacock), directed Florence Winter Hill, whose previous short The Gospel According to Gail with Harriet Webb made the official selection for BAFTA and Oscar-qualifying film festivals, and shot by Carmen Pellon Brussosa.

GUTS news!

GUTS has been awarded Best Comedy at London Independent Film Festival

Black and white photo of a person with long hair and leopard print clothing, posing with hands near the neck.

GUTS has won the Gold Medal for Best Student Comedy short at the London Comedy Short Film Festival

Gold medal awarded to "Guts," directed by Florence Winter Hill, at the 2024 London-Worldwide Comedy Short Film Festival.
Logo of London Independent Film Festival with golden laurel leaves.

GUTS has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Best Comedy at Big Fridge Festival London Independent Film Festival

Text reading "Big Fridge International Film Festival" with horizontal white lines on a black background.

This what Big Fridge had to say about GUTS…

‘"GUTS" brings a refreshing perspective to the world of fashion and body image, focusing its narrative around Isla, an aspiring plus-size model, and Bev, her potential agent navigating the evolving landscape of the industry. This insightful film, starring the comedy legend Jan Ravens, is inspired by real-life experiences, offering a humorous yet thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics and societal expectations concerning women's bodies.

The comedic brilliance of "GUTS" shines through with a delightful commentary that runs consistently throughout the film. The writing is sharp, cleverly crafting a narrative that not only entertains but also invites reflection on the industry's shifting standards. The film sets the stage for a hilarious twist, keeping the audience engaged and eager to see how the story unfolds.

The performances from the leads are compelling. From the start, they breathe life into their characters, portraying the complexities of navigating an industry that has historically been rigid in its standards. The clash of wit between Isla and Bev adds layers to the story, creating a dynamic that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The cinematography by Carmen Pellon Brussosa adds a layer of sophistication to the storytelling, complementing the sharp dialogue and enhancing the overall viewing experience.

At its core, "GUTS" successfully navigates the intersection of power and humiliation in women's bodies, offering a comedic lens through which to examine societal expectations. With its great writing, compelling performances, and a clever twist, "GUTS" stands out as a film that not only entertains but also sparks important conversations. It's a must-watch for those seeking a blend of humour and insightful commentary on the challenges faced by individuals in the ever-evolving world of fashion.’

Links

Watch ‘GUTShere

Watch Maia open at Soho Theatre here

Watch Maia’s micro film ‘Nurseyhere

Watch Maia’s showreel here

Watch Maia in in ‘Tea Time’ Directed by Dominic Brigstocke (I'm Alan Partridge, Green Wing, Smack the Pony, Horrible Histories) here

A person holding a decorated cigarette in a dimly lit hallway.

I CAN WRITE SOMETHING FUNNY FOR YOU

I CAN WRITE SOMETHING FUNNY FOR YOU