Southport Comedy Festival makes a much-awaited return this October, with 16 headline shows over just 17 days this October!
This year promises to be the biggest and best yet with stars of comedy including Russell Kane, Ed Byrne, Rich Hall, Mark Thomas, Jo Caulfield and more besides.
Courtesy of Elite Marquees this year’s festival will be staged in a giant luxury marquee in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show, between 1st October and 17th October.
Headline Sponsor Anthony James Estate Agents is providing a special night of Comedy Bingo exclusively for our NHS and care home heroes and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle will bring his Royle Variety Performance for all the family to enjoy.
Festival Director Brendan Riley said: “There will be comedy for all ages and tastes. So turn off your TV, grab your coat and join us for some real live comedy!”
Book your tickets and discover more details at: www.southportcomedyfestival.com
There are age restrictions on some shows. Where permitted, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Shows containing a PG rating may contain strong language and adult content.
Friday 1st October
Best of the Fest featuring Troy Hawke, Katie Tracey and David Eagle
This show brings together three of the finest comedy performers currently working on the international comedy circuit.
Award winning character comedian Milo McCabe brings you his erudite, home-schooled, 1930’s throwback alter ego, Troy Hawke.
As seen on Live at the Electric and Benidorm. “Mad comic genius” The Scotsman
Katie Tracey, Co- Host of the hilarious ‘Fix The World’ Podcast with Sam Avery. Guaranteed to get any audience on-side. The hilarity comes in effortless torrents from this scouse comic expert.
Fast rising star David Eagle, New Comedian of the Year (Leicester Square Theatre 2019, Bath Comedy Festival 2019, Nottingham Comedy Festival 2018).
Hosted by Brendan Riley
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £12.
Age Restriction: 18+
Saturday 2nd October
Rich Hall – Live
Multi award-winning comedy legend Rich Hall is renowned for his expertly crafted tirades, quick-fire banter with audiences and delightful musical sequences. Montana native Rich has been described as a transatlantic messenger, lampooning each country he visits with his laser-guided observations.
As seen on QI, Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You.
“As close as it gets to a guaranteed good show” – Scotland on Sunday
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £17
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Sunday 3rd October
Luisa Omielan – God is a Woman
Fresh from a successful Off-Broadway run, BAFTA award winning comedian Luisa Omielan brings her highly anticipated God is a Woman show to Southport Comedy Festival.
Luisa already has three ground-breaking hit shows under her belt earning her sell out shows across the UK and Australia. She has been twice nominated for best show at Melbourne Comedy Festival and her famous thigh gap joke went viral with 45 million views on YouTube.
“The biggest stand up hit of the decade” – The Guardian
“She should be put on the national curriculum” – The Scotsman
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £15
Age Restriction: 18+
Tuesday 5th October
Hal Cruttenden Work in Progress with support from Helen Bauer
Ahead of his forthcoming national tour, multi award-winning comedian Hal Cruttenden brings his Work in Progress show to this year’s Southport Comedy Festival.
As seen on the Royal Variety Performance, Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News for You, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, Bake Off: Extra Slice.
Hal will be joined by fast rising star Helen Bauer.
Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer Nominee 2019
BBC New Comedy Award Finalist 2018
As seen on CelebAbility, The Stand Up Sketch Show and Hypothetical
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £15
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Wednesday 6th October
Tez Ilyas – The Vicked Tour
The brand-new stand-up show from the star of The Tez O’Clock Show (Channel 4), TEZ Talks (BBC Radio 4) and the multi-award-winning Man Like Mobeen (BBC Three). One of the most celebrated stars in British Comedy. Tez has also appeared on our TV screens on Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and The Last Leg. Expect mega laughs, happy groans and cheeky provocations, as Tez guarantees a “vicked” time.
★★★★ “Radiantly entertaining” – The Times.
★★★★ “Blackburn’s Chris Rock” – The Guardian.
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £15
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Thursday 7th October
Southport New Comedian Of The Year Grand Final 2021
Now in its 12th Year the Southport New Comedian of the Year, sponsored by Crystal Clear Opticians, returns for 2021.
Tickets are just £5 each!
Aspiring comedians from all over the country have been invited to apply to win one of eight places in the grand final for the coveted title of Southport Comedy Festival New Comedian of the Year 2021.
Come along 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 comedian Brendan Riley, “A born compere” – The Guardian
Doors 6pm, show 8pm, tickets £5, Age Restriction 18+
Friday 8th October
Tom Stade – You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
Following his last smash-hit UK tour, Tom is back on the road with a brand-new show. The kids have moved out and it’s the dawn of a new era! Tom’s embracing change with his usual spirit and irrepressible sense of mischief; what’s coming is way better than what has gone!
As seen on Ch4’s Comedy Gala, BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, The John Bishop Show and Live at the Apollo.
“Swagger of a rock star, charisma of a talk show host. Hilarious. See for yourself before the secret gets out.” – Warrington Guardian
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £17.50
Age Restriction: 18+
Saturday 9th October
Paul Sinha – Hazy Little Thing Called Love
Star of ‘The Chase’ and festival favourite Paul Sinha returns for his seventh year with a bigger, longer and more ambitious version of his 2019 Southport show.
Rose d’Or Award winner for radio comedy, Chortle Award winner and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, Paul is a familiar voice on radio, appearing on Just a Minute, The News Quiz and Fighting Talk. On television, Paul has appeared on Would I Lie to You? QI, and Taskmaster.
“One of our most thoughtful and enjoyable comedians” – Times
“This is what a good stand-up should be. Hilariously funny, passionate and articulate” – Chortle
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £15
Age Restriction: 18+
Sunday 10th October
Russell Kane – Live
Multi-award-winning comedian, presenter, actor, author and scriptwriter, Russell Kane is best known for the BBC Sounds podcast, Evil Genius which has become a flagship show and was the best performing original podcast on the platform. As ever, Russell also continues to provide his ever-popular topical online rants ‘Kaneings’. His many TV appearances include Live at the Apollo, The Apprentice You’re Fired, The One Show, Stupid Man, Unzipped, Celebrity Juice and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here Now.
“One of the quickest, most stimulating stand-ups in the land” – The Times
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £20
Age Restriction: 16+
Tuesday 12th October
Comedy Bingo – Eyes Down, Thumbs Up for the NHS
Comedy Bingo in association with Anthony James Estate Agents present this highly interactive show exclusively for NHS workers and Care Home Staff hosted by comedian Brendan Riley, “Bouncy and engaging” – The Scotsman.
Be prepared for a night of laughs, prizes and excitement.
It is our way of saying a massive “Thank You” to our NHS heroes. We have limited capacity, so you must book your tickets in advance.
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: Free to NHS and Care Home Staff (see website for details)
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Wednesday 13th October
Geoff Norcott – I Blame the Parents
‘I Blame the Parents’ is the fourth national tour for Geoff Norcott, following on the back of ‘Conswervative’, ‘Traditionalism’ and ‘Taking Liberties’.
This time Geoff talks less politics (alright, there will probably be a bit), but this brand-new show will mostly explore personal responsibility, parenting and who should take the blame when things go wrong.
As seen on The Last Leg, Would I Lie to You?, Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, The Mash Report, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Katherine Ryan’s The Duchess.
“Sets himself apart from the liberal commentariat with a sharp self-knowing wit” – Dominic Maxwell, The Times
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £15
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Thursday 14th October
Ed Byrne – If I’m Honest
Ed Byrne brings his masterclass in observational comedy to Southport Comedy Festival. Join him as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has ANY traits that are worth passing on to his children.
“He’ll make you laugh, he’ll make you smile, he’ll make you want to fall in love with him” – The Stage
A TV household name, in the past year Ed has appeared on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, The Pilgrimage, Top Gear and QI.
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £25
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Friday 15th October
Mark Thomas – 50 Things About Us
Mark uses his trademark style of storytelling, stand-up, subversion and really, really, well researched material to try and find out how the hell we ended up in the middle of this shit show.
50 Things About Us is a show about songs, gongs, loot, tradition, wigs, nicking, statues, art and identity. A sort of funny national edition of Who Do You Think You Are?
“Righteous, moving and funny… Mark Thomas should be on prescription” – The Herald
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £15
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Saturday 16th October
Bingo Nights presents Disco Bingo
Raising Money for Southport Flower Show
Eyes Down for a fabulous night of fundraising for Southport Flower Show with this truly interactive event. Disco Bingo is exactly what it says on the tin; a full night of traditional style Disco and Bingo but with a modern twist!
Guaranteed to get the whole room up and dancing, classic disco hits are triggered when certain bingo numbers are called. The entire evening is peppered with music and good-natured banter provided by comedian and presenter Brendan Riley.
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £10
Age Restriction: 18+
Sunday 17th October
The (Steve) Royle Variety Performance
Britain’s Got Talent 2020 finalist, comedian, juggler and variety star Steve Royle brings his Royle Variety Performance to the Southport Comedy Festival for a fun-filled hour of entertainment for all the family.
Steve spent many years supporting the likes of Peter Kay, Dave Spikey, Mick Miller, Roy Walker and The Lancashire Hotpots on tour. TV appearance’s include Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere, Peter Kay’s Britain’s Got The Pop Factor.
“A Brilliant Comedian” – Peter Kay
“A comedy masterclass!” – The Stage
Door: 1pm, Show: 2pm
Price: £12 Adults, £6 Children
Sunday 17th October
Best of the Fest Featuring Reginald D Hunter and Jo Caulfield
Join two of the comedy industry’s most celebrated comedians as they come together for one fantastic night of comedy to close this year’s Southport Comedy Festival.
Reginald D Hunter
Reginald’s searingly honest observations both onstage and on TV have garnered him a cross-generational fan base. His many TV appearances have included Have I Got News for You? QI, Live at the Apollo and two series of the BBC2’s hugely popular Reginald D Hunter’s Songs of the South & Songs of the Border.
“A cerebral comedian with every performative grace in his back pocket” – Voice Magazine
Jo Caulfield
Although best known for her legendary one-woman shows Jo has also won a BAFTA for her TV writing. TV appearances include Have I Got News for You, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
“One of the finest female comics at work”- The Observer
Door: 7pm, Show: 8pm
Price: £15
Age Restriction: 18+
Book your Southport Comedy Festival tickets and discover more details at: www.southportcomedyfestival.com
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