Southport Comedy Festival 2024 has enjoyed a “brilliant start” with two superb shows – and a great line-up this week, with some already sold out and others selling fast.
The Festival opened on Friday night with a Comedy Bingo event, sponsored by Anthiony James Estate Agents, which was raising funds for the Southport-based Community Link Foundation charity.
Saturday night saw Mark Thomas bring his Gaffa Tapes tour to town, while tonight (Sunday, 29th September 2024) sees a Best of The Fest gig starring Jo Caulfield and Hal Cruttenden.
There are more shows to enjoy this week with Dan Nightingale and Fiends (Wednesday, 2nd October 2024); Big Comedy UK Presents: Best of the Fest featuringThe Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue, Katie Tracey, Patrick Monahan and Host Bren Riley on Friday (4th October 2024); Bingo Nights UK Presents 80’s Disco Bingo on Saturday (5th october 2024); and the Southport New Comedian Of The Year competition on Sunday (6th October 2024).
Comedy Bingo at Southport Comedy Festival raising funds for the Community Link Foundation charity. Festival Director Brendan Riley (centre) with Community Link Foundation Chair Enda Rylands (left) and Anthony James Estate Agents Director Mark Cunningham (right)
Some shows have already sold out, including Mick Miller on Tuesday and Henning Wehn on Thursday.
Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said: “It’s been a brilliant start to the festival!
“The Comedy Bingo night raising funds for the Community Link Foundation was a great way to open this year’s event.
“It was a lovely show and with a fantastic atmosphere.
“Elite Marquees has taken the venue up another level again this year – the marquee looks stunning.
“The night’s sponsors, Mark and Lyn Cunningham and Anthony James Estate Agents, provided 60 free spaces to members of our emergency services locally, and it was great to see them there after everything they have done for our local community.
“We’d like to thank local businesses including Halliwell Jones, Southport Flower Show, Elite Bars, Crystal Clear Opticians and others for providing some excellent prizes for people to win.
Mark Thomas at Southport Comedy Festival
“On Saturday, we were delighted to welcome Mark Thomas back to Southport Comedy Festival, with his Gaffa Tapes show.
“It was a really funny gig, with a night of superb stand up comedy.
“We can’t wait to welcome Jo Caulfield and Hal Cruttenden tonight in a superb double bill ahead of a really exciting line-up this week.
“We have five sold-out shows now this year and others nearing capacity so if there are any shows you’d love to see please book them before the tickets go.”
Comedy Bingo at Southport Comedy Festival raising funds for the Community Link Foundation charity
The 17 day Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones MINI has a star studded lineup to include the undisputed godfather of modern stand-Up Ben Elton, TV superstar Jason Manford, German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn, American Comedy Legend Rich Hall, Festival favourites Jason Byrne, Jimeoin, Godfather of Political Comedy Mark Thomas, Star of ITV’S The Chase Paul Sinha ‘The Sinnerman’, comedy stars of TV Jo Caulfield, Hal Cruttenden, Ria Lina, Patrick Monahan, Comedy Circuit favourites The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Review, Rising local star Katie Tracey, host of smash hit podcast ‘Have a Word’ Dan Nightingale and one of the UK’s most treasured entertainers Mick Miller.
Courtesy of Elite Marquees, this year’s festival will be staged once again in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show, between 27th September and 13th October 2024.
The Southport New Comedian Grand Final will take place on Sunday 6th October 2024. Tickets are just £5 each which are kept low to make the events as accessible as possible.
Tickets for all shows are available from the festival website southportcomedyfestival.com
Mark Thomas at Southport Comedy Festival
Southport Comedy Festival 2024 line-up this week:
Sunday 29th September 2024
Big Comedy UK Presents Best of the Fest featuring Jo Caulfield and Hal Cruttenden Sponsored by SB Patel
Jo Caulfield and Hal Cruttenden
Two of the comedy industry’s most celebrated comedians and stars of TV and Radio come together for one fantastic night of comedy as part of this year’s Southport Comedy Festival.
Jo Caulfield
“Quite simply one of the most consistently funny and creative comics in the country” Guardian
Hal Cruttenden “An absolute joy to watch…fabulous” The Scotsman
As seen on Have I Got News for You (BBC1), Mock The Week (BBC2), Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Live at the Apollo (BBC2).
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £17.00+BF
Age Restriction: 18+
Tuesday 1st October 2024
Big Comedy UK Presents An Evening With Mick Miller – SOLD OUT
Mick Miller. Picture by Andy Hollingworth Archive
Join us for a very special night with comedy legend Mick Miller, one of our most treasured entertainers who has been at the top of his game for over 40 years. Often referred to as “The bald guy with the long hair,” Mick first came to prominence in the 70’s on the iconic ITV show ‘The Comedians’ but remains as relevant and funny today, he is one of the few comedians of his generation who has made the transition onto the alternative circuit, creating a younger fan base along the way.
This will be a masterclass in stand-up comedy not to be missed.
As seen in Kings of Comedy (Ch4), They Think It’s All Over (BBC1), Comedy World Cup (Ch4), John Bishop’s Only Joking (Sky1), Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford (ITV), Last Laugh in Vegas (ITV), and The Royal Variety Performance (ITV).
Plus support
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £15.00+BF
Age Restriction: 18+
Wednesday 2nd October 2024
Dan Nightingale and Fiends
Dan Nightingale
After two hugely successful national comedy tours, host of the smash-hit Have A Word Podcast Dan Nightingale is doing something a little different in 2024: He’s hosting a run of shows with some of his favourite comedians on the bill.
With Dan doing what he does best and some of his very funny Stand-Up friends (or fiends) smashing sets… you won’t want to miss out, these shows will be the very best type of comedy mayhem.
This show features Mike Rice, Eshaan Akbar and Dean Coughlin with Dan hosting
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £15.00+BF
Age Restriction: 18+
Thursday 3rd October 2024
Henning Wehn – SOLD OUT
Acid Wehn
Henning Wehn will star at Southport Comedy Festival
Award-deserving German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn takes an unbiased look at climate change, a topic sure to delight audiences and no surprise. After all, everyone loves talking about the weather. Rain or shine, all will be fine. Or maybe it won’t. Who knows?! Come along. Or else.
“Wehn has given us an understanding of German quirks” King Charles III
“You couldn’t make it up” Henning himself
Henning’s most recent television and radio appearances include Have I Got News For You (BBC1), Would I Lie To You (BBC1), Live At The Apollo (BBC2), Guessable (Comedy Central), Question Time (BBC1), 8 Out Of Cats Does Countdown (Ch4), Fighting Talk (BBC Radio 5 Live) and The Unbelievable Truth (BBC Radio 4).
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £24.50+BF
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Friday 4th October 2024
Big Comedy UK Presents Best of the Fest Sponsored by Acorn Insurance
Featuring The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Review, Katie Tracey, Patrick Monahan and host Brendan Riley
Raymond and Mr Timpkins, Patrick Monahan, Katie Tracey and Bren Riley will star at Southport Comedy Festival
Join us for a fantastic night of live comedy with a triple headline show.
Award winning The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue, highly original masters of prop and pun comedy. Excellent, fast-moving, clever, constantly changing, hilarious, musical nonsense. Winner UK Comedy Award Comedian of the Year as voted by fellow comedians.
“This is comedy that reminds us why we go out to see live shows” The Scotsman
Patrick Monahan – Show me the funny, Splash (ITV) and Celebrity squares (ITV) and more recently on The One Show (BBC), Fake Reaction (ITV), Pointless celebrity special (BBC) and Asian Network (BBC).
“Rip roaringly funny” One4Review
Katie Tracey Liverpool’s own fast rising star is regarded as one of the best female comedians in the Northwest, Funny Women Awards runner up, support act to Arthur Smith.
“Affable, cheeky and fun, but most importantly bloody funny” Blackpool Comedy Club
Hosted by Brendan Riley
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £15.00+BF
Age Restriction: 18+
Saturday 5th October 2024
Bingo Nights UK Presents 80’s Disco Bingo
Raising Money for Southport Flower Show
Disco Bingo
Prepare yourself for a blast back to the 80s!
Eyes Down for a fabulous night of fundraising for Southport Flower Show with this truly interactive event. 80’s Disco Bingo is exactly what it says on the tin; a full night of Disco and Bingo but with a modern twist! Featuring all the 80’s hits guaranteed to get the whole room up and dancing.
Fancy Dress is not mandatory but it is certainly encouraged!
RELAX! PLAY BINGO! WHEN YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN!
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £10+BF
Age Restriction: 18+
Sunday 6th October 2024
Southport New Comedian of the Year 2024 Grand Final
Sponsored by Dragon Soop
Southport New Comedian 2024 competition sponsored by Dragon Soop returns to the Southport Comedy Festival. 2024 winners Halls of Ridiculous
The competition, now in its 14th Year, will again search the nation for 8 aspiring comedians to compete to become the next Southport New Comedian of the Year.
Dragon Soop and The Southport Comedy Festival are proud to encourage new talent and help them become the stars of tomorrow. Choosing just one winner from an array of comedy talent won’t be easy.
Hosted by Brendan Riley “A born compere” The Guardian
Dragon Soop should only be consumed by adults aged 18+. Please enjoy responsibly
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £5+BF
Age Restriction: 18+
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