Southport Comedy Festival sponsored feature by Stand Up For Southport
Who’s ready for some stellar names in the final week of the 2025 Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport!
We’ve seen some amazing shows since the festival launched at Victoria Park last Friday including Chris McCausland, Ardal O’Hanlon, Jimeoin, Dan Nightingale and more. Eight shows have sold out so far this year, with waiting lists open for some shows.
Get ready for more laughter from now until 19th October 2025 with ‘Godfather of Punk Poetry’ Dr John Cooper Clarke, high-energy festival favourite Jason Byrne, American comedy legend Rich Hall, Persian powerhouse and star of the silver screen Omid Djalili, Irish Comedy Queen Deirdre O’Kane, UK comedy icon Mick Miller and the thrilling Southport New Comedian of the Year competition, a highlight of the festival, sponsored for a fourth year by Dragon Soop.
The entire festival is being staged in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Events in Victoria Park, home of Southport Flower Show.Visit southportcomedyfestival.com for full line up, information and direct links to book tickets.
Saturday 11th October
Mark Steel – The Leopard in My House
Join multi award-winning, BAFTA-nominated writer and comedian Mark Steel for his new tour ‘The Leopard in My House’.
The topic? His battle with throat cancer. A battle he is winning (thankfully) and which only his rapier wit could fashion a comedy tour show out of.
Cancer has done nothing to dull Mark’s acute political observations or quash his “frankly bonkers” energy: you will laugh, you will cry, but you’ll laugh again, and again, and again.
The Leopard in My House is proof that this leftie, working-class, Radio 4 favourite truly deserves his place in the UK comedy pantheon.
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £18.00
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Sunday 12th October
Omid Djalili: Namaste
The Persian Comedy Powerhouse performs his critically acclaimed show NAMASTE where Omid peacefully bows to his inner anger and unleashes a torrent of comedic vitriol upon the current state of this dangerously messed up planet.
No government gets a green card. No tyrant avoids a take down. No audience member leaves the theatre with an ounce of laughter left in them.
You have been warned.
“So hysterically funny and at the same time so poignant and powerful that calling it stand-up barely does it justice” Michael Levin, Huffington Post.
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £30.00
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Tuesday 14th October
New Comedian of the Year 2025 Grand Final
Sponsored by Dragon Soop
The competition, now in its 15th 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+
Wednesday 15th October
Dr John Cooper Clarke
With Special Guest Mike Garry
The Godfather of Punk Poetry. A cult icon. A lyrical genius. A razor-sharp wit.
Dr John Cooper Clarke—Salford’s original punk poet performs at this year’s Southport Comedy Festival with a brand-new live show packed with classic verse, new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs, chat and the unmistakable swagger that’s made him a legend.
From the stages of the ’70s punk scene—sharing bills with Joy Division, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash—to the pages of the UK school curriculum, Clarke’s influence is undeniable. His iconic I Wanna Be Yours, famously reimagined by Arctic Monkeys, has racked up over a billion streams, while Evidently Chickentown made its mark on The Sopranos.
This is a rare chance to see one of the world’s most important and entertaining spoken word artists at his bold and brilliant best.
“One of Britain’s outstanding poets” Sir Paul McCartney
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £29.50
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Thursday 16th October
An Evening with Mick Miller
Sponsored by SB Patel
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 from Allyson June Smith
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £18.00
Age Restriction: 18+
Friday 17th October
Rich Hall – Chin Music
“Chin Music” has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in baseball or cricket to intimidate the batter.
Both describe Rich Hall’s comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp, quick, splenetic, and sublimely improvisational.
If you’ve never seen him, you need to hustle down to this year’s Southport Comedy Festival and grab a seat because he never disappoints. Ever.
As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC2) Have I Got News For You (BBC1) and QI (BBC2)
“As close as it gets to a guaranteed good show” Scotland on Sunday
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £18.00
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Saturday 18th October
Jason Byrne: Head In The Clouds
Where does he get it all from? A common phrase heard outside Jason Byrne’s show as the crowd leave with utter joy in their hearts. Jason literally has his Head in the Clouds most of the time, but thankfully, mainly when he’s on stage!
It’s laughter at its highest, as we watch Jason pull magic from his cloudy head down onto the stage. Be it, stormy stand up, calm fun or audience members with clouds literally on their heads. Come join Jason in the clouds, for a night of beautiful unpredictable, fluffy, mayhem.
“Outright King of Live Comedy” The Times
“Full on, double-up, gasping-for-oxygen hilarious” Chortle
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £28.50
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Sunday 19th October
Deirdre O’Kane: O’Kaning It
Award winning Irish TV Star, Comedian and Actress Deirdre O’Kane brings the curtain down on this year’s Southport Comedy Festival with her brand-new show O’Kaning it.
Comedic fireball Deirdre O’Kane is mad for road, mercilessly mining hilarity from the human condition. Will she conquer the chaos or revel in it? Tame the mayhem or “O’Kane it”? Either way you’re in for a night of relentless laughs fuelled by warped personal insight.
A household name in Ireland, she was a Dancing with the Stars finalist for (RTE1) and has appeared on QI, The Blame Game, Delete Delete Delete (BBC), As Yet Untitled (Dave), and Amazon’s global hit Last One Laughing with Graham Norton. As an actor she has starred in Chris O’Dowd’s Moone Boy and the acclaimed film Noble.
“Unique star quality” The Guardian
“When she exits, applause follows her all the way down the street” The Scotsman
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £19.50
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
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