Kev Orkian
Guest Host
Kev Orkian hosted a number of VIAM shows at the London O2, Birmingham LG, Liverpool Echo and Wembley Arenas. He also wrote and performed the intro music used at our events from 2010 – 2012.
A highly skilled Pianist, singer & actor, Kev has honed his art to perfection over many years from his days as a classical concert pianist to performing Stand-up comedy and supporting some of the biggest names in British comedy. Blending his off beat humour with sensational performances on the piano he has been dubbed one of the world’s finest comedy pianists.
Kev’s vast repertoire of appearances with other entertainers has seen him share the stage with such artists like Katherine Jenkins, Lionel Richie, Dame Edna, & Matt Lucas to name a few.
Supporting some of the UK’s biggest comedy names, Kev has shared critical acclaim and standing ovations not only as a support act but also with his own one-man show. As a consummate pianist he has toured with a variety of orchestras and appeared at many prestigious venues including the Sydney Opera House, Windsor Castle & The Kodak Theatre in LA. He made his West End debut starring in Fame at the Victoria Palace Theatre. This foray into London’s theatre scene led to many other West End roles in musicals like Me & My Girl, Grease, Buddy Holly, Happy Days and Boogie Nights.
2009 saw Orkian’s leap onto the UK comedy circuit with performances at London’s Comedy Store, Jongleurs and Highlights chain of comedy clubs at which he regularly receives standing ovations and rave reviews for the originality of his act.
In August 2010 Kev took his ‘Illegal Tour’ to the Edinburgh Fringe, appearing at the Underbelly, in what was his debut appearance at the festival. 2011 saw him bring the second chapter to his foreign comedy character “The Guilty Pianist” to the fringe festival, which earned him the Spirit of the Fringe award.
2011 also saw him performing at the South African Vodacom funny festival where he received the accolade for the most standing ovations for one entertainer, including an appearance for Archbishop Desmond TuTu.
Kev has entertained audiences from all over the world, including private invitations to entertain numerous members of the royal family, including HRH Prince Philip’s 89th Birthday, HRH Prince Charles, Princess Margaret, Prince Andrew, and Numerous Royal families from Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Kev is the only international entertainer to have been invited 4 years in a row to perform for South Africa’s most prestigious Comedy Festival. Including private invitations to entertain the likes of Saudi Prince’s in Seychelles, Grand West Arena audiences in Cape Town to ITV audiences with Katherine Jenkins.
Kev can also be seen touring the globe with the “History of The Piano” Tour, visiting such countries like Australia, Dubai, South Africa, LA and head-lining at the prestigious Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, plus hosting LA’s Telethon for a third year running.
A patron and avid supporter of the British Forces Foundation, Kev is constantly invited to entertain army bases around the UK, flying out to Afghanistan to entertain with fellow performers Katherine Jenkins and James Blunt…