The Comedy Portuguese Papi - Comedian André de Freitas
Meet the amazing André de Freitas – a stand-up comedian, talented writer, and versatile actor! He's not just your ordinary performer; he's a trailblazer who made history for Portugal. Picture this: André became the very first Portuguese comedian to step onto the stage of the prestigious Edinburgh Festival with a full English-language lineup. And that's not all – he also conquered the Los Angeles Comedy Store!
What makes André's comedy truly special is his one-of-a-kind perspective on the UK, drawn from his personal experiences as an immigrant. Whenever he steps onto the stage outside of Portugal, he kicks off with his signature line: "Hey everyone, I'm from Portugal!"
André's journey in the performing arts began at the young age of 15 when he earned a spot at the Escola Profissional de Teatro de Cascais, a professional drama school in the greater Lisbon area. After his time there, he decided to venture into the world of stand-up comedy, which led him to local success and even landed him roles on TV and in the feature film Sete Pecados Rurais.
Yearning for an international career, André made his way to London in 2016 – with a pit stop in the USA. Now based in London, he's become a regular at some of the coolest comedy clubs like THE TOP SECRET COMEDY CLUB, COMEDY IN YOUR EYE, THE STAND, GLEE, BACKYARD COMEDY CLUB, ANGEL COMEDY CLUB, and many more.
André's talents have taken him across the globe, from Portugal, England, Spain, and France to Monaco, Luxembourg, Scotland, the USA, and beyond. He's performed, laughed, and connected with audiences in a multitude of countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, and Austria.
Hold onto your seats, because André's journey doesn't stop there! He's had the honor of touring with Portuguese star Rui Sinel de Cordes during a sold-out 2017 tour across Portugal. In London, he's shared the stage with some of the UK's comedy heavyweights like Jack Whitehall, Russell Howard, Ed Byrne, Josh Widdicombe, and more. He's even opened for the likes of US comic Tom Rhodes and, in 2019, had the incredible opportunity to open for Jim Gaffigan on his "Pale Tourist Tour."
André's influence doesn't go unnoticed, either. He was featured in a short documentary by the well-known Portuguese channel RTP, showcasing his groundbreaking career journey up to the present day.
But that's not all! André's star power extends even further, as he's provided tour support for none other than Canadian superstar Russell Peters and the beloved UK talk-show host Alan Carr.
Back in Portugal, André wears yet another creative hat. He's the brains behind the popular sensation "Comedy Therapy," a live show that beautifully combines comedy and mental health. This live phenomenon quickly morphed into a podcast, skyrocketing to become the country's number 3 podcast.
Fast forward to 2022 – André became one of the faces of the crypto giant Bybit. He co-wrote and co-starred in a fantastic 4-part tutorial series alongside Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Sergio “Checo” Perez and Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen. This series about cryptocurrencies was part of the massive 150 million partnership between Bybit and Red Bull Racing, making waves in the world of F1 sponsorships.
In 2023, André took his comedy special, titled, "What If" to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and gained rave reviews, including five stars from the Daily Express and Three Weeks. Chris Cooke wrote "he talks you through each hilarious low point – well, hilarious with the benefit of both hindsight and de Freitas’s comedic storytelling – you find yourself becoming ever more emotionally involved in this journey." Whilst, the Express praised De Freitas for his "audience rapport, and a combination of goofball quirkiness adn plain intelligence that could see him go far."
And there you have it, the incredible journey of André, a multitalented, globe-trotting, and history-making entertainer who's spreading laughter and inspiration across borders.
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