UK Comedy Festivals - October 2013
If you pop your head out the window during October this year it's likely you'll hear laughing. That's because there's a load of comedy festivals taking place up and down the country. Here's a quick summary of some of them...
Women In Comedy Festival, Manchester (1st - 27th October)
This new festival, which runs across a month in Greater Manchester, is a cross-collaboration between the growing number of women's comedy producers, performers and supporters. It aims to celebrate 'all things funny and female' across a variety of platforms including live performances, comedy theatre, spoken word, book readings, sketch, improvisation, photography, workshops and debates.
Over one hundred acts are confirmed to take part at venues such as The Comedy Store, The Contact Theatre, The Dancehouse Theatre, The Frog and Bucket and The Lowry, including Ava Vidal, Gina Yashere, Lucy Porter and Zoe Lyons, to name just a few.
Jesterval, Tyneside (3rd - 7th October)
Comprising of 24 shows over five star-studded days, Jesterval 2013 will take place in a 350-seater marquee on Baltic Square, at the heart of the Gateshead Quays development.
Ed Byrne, Terry Alderton, Marcus Brigstocke and Andrew Maxwell are some of the notable names in the programme.
Ticket prices for the festival range from £3 to £15, with a number of free performances being put on too. Worth checking out if you live in the North East!
Birmingham Comedy Festival (4th - 13th October)
This festival features over 60 comedy events spread out across Britain's second biggest city. The programme features some of the best acts from the West Midlands, including Joe Lycett, Jo Enright and Shazia Mirza, plus notable headline stars like Russell Brand.
Also look out for the other events like an exhibition of comedy-related art, and a Big Comedy Pub Quiz.
Brighton Comedy Festival (4th - 20th October)
This big comedy festival down on the south coast reportedly attracts over 30,000 visitors each year. The three week festival boasts an impressive line-up, with notable stars taking part including Stewart Lee, Jimmy Carr, Alexei Sayle, Russell Kane, Tony Law, Lee Nelson, Sean Lock, Milton Jones, Jason Manford, Jarred Christmas, Nina Conti, Ed Byrne, Andy Parsons, Doc Brown, Paul Merton, Lucy Porter, Josh Widdicombe, Abandoman and Seann Walsh.
As before, it kicks off with the opening night gala at the Brighton Dome in aid of the charity Sussex Beacon. Alan Carr will be acting as the MC for that again this year.
www.brightoncomedyfestival.com
Harrogate Comedy Festival (6th - 19th October)
Having celebrated its most successful year yet in 2012, the Harrogate Comedy Festival is back for its fifth outing. Organised by Harrogate Theatres, the festival features a mixing established comic names, cult stand-ups and rising stars.
Too many acts to mention here, so take a look at the website which lists everyone appearing:
London Irish Festival (11th - 13th October)
Channel 4 might be showing the new sitcom London Irish, but for live stand-up and sketch based laughs from London-based Irish comedians this is the festival to check out.
Now in its second year, based at The London Irish Centre in Camden, this festival features a great line up of established and emerging Irish comedians. Andrew Maxwell, Abandoman, Aisling Bea, Neil Delamere, PJ Gallagher, Barry Murphy and Grainne Maguire will be amongst those putting in an appearance.
Reading Comedy Festival (2nd October - 8th November 2013)
Bit of a cheeky one this, in that the festival spans over a month (so it's really more just a list of the comedy tours that happen to be swinging by the town this autumn).
Still, there's lots of famous names to see, including TV stars like Sarah Millican, Milton Jones and Adam Hills.
Winchester Comedy Festival (3rd - 6th October)
The Hampshire-based city has a weekend of comedy shows planned. Funny people like Doc Brown, Marcel Lucont and Tony Law will be taking part.
www.winchestercomedyfestival.co.uk
Lincoln Comedy Festival (3rd - 10th October)
The 6th Lincoln Comedy Festival will see household names and emerging talent playing the cathedral city. Sarah Millican, Alexei Sayle and Nina Conti are three of the festival's headline acts.
Also a quick mention for Belly Laughs. If you're in Northern Ireland head to Belfast where you'll find the festival running till the 6th October. www.bellylaughsbelfast.com
(If we missed a comedy festival occurring in your town or city this month email us to let us know and we'll add it. Thanks).
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