Some of the world’s biggest stand-up stars are heading to the North East this summer as part of an annual comedy festival.
The hugely popular Darlington Comedy Festival will return to the region next month, with an incredible 26 shows taking place in the town throughout July and in August.
Now in its fourth year, the programme continues to go from strength to strength, with this year’s bill featuring two shows from TV star Chris Ramsey, Edinburgh Comedy Award winners Funz and Gamez, Gein’s Family Giftshop and many more.
Comedy magician Pete Firman (BBC’s The Magicians) kicks off the critically-acclaimed festival on Wednesday 1 July as he teams up with Phil Jerrod for a show at Seen & Inside Out.
Another highlight in the programme, released today, is the Darlington Comedy Festival’s annual charity gala at the Dolphin Centre. Taking place on Monday 6 July, the show features Show Me The Funny winner Patrick Monahan, Alan Cochrane, Carl Donnelly, Jonny Awsum and more. All profits from the gala will go to local charities.
The festival is renowned for bringing quirky concept comedy shows to the region and this year’s bill is no different. The 2015 programme features high-energy variety show The Kinky Boot Institute, a live recording of Stuart Goldsmith’s award-winning podcast The Comedian’s Comedian and Andy Fury’s Coffee Morning, as well as a full day of comedy at Darlington Library.
Another Darlington Comedy Festival highlight, the Hilarity Bites New Act Of The Year final, will help round off the festival at Hole In The Wall on Monday 27 July.
Festival Director Neil Jollie said: “This is the fourth annual Darlington Comedy Festival, and I’m really pleased with the line-up we’ve managed to secure this year.
“We’ve got the cream of local comedy performing preview shows, joined by a load of comedy award winners and nominees. It’s particularly exciting that every past winner of the Hilarity Bites New Act Competition is taking part in this year’s festival, be it performing at comedy club nights or bringing their own shows to the festival.