– Includes international names and special events.
– Featuring Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award, US superstar ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, Chris Ramsey, Frankie Boyle, and a free city centre Half-Dayer.
Birmingham Comedy Festival is set to return this October with yet another city-wide programme of top notch comedy (2-11 Oct 2015).
Giving the 10 day festival a truly international flavour is headline act multi-Grammy-winning US musical comedy superstar ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, (3 Oct, O2 Academy), whose career spans four decades.
They’re joined by Irish comic Jason Bryne (3 Oct, Town Hall), German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn (7 Oct, Town Hall), and US cult sensations Red Bas**** (2-3 Oct, mac) and Doug Stanhope (7 Oct, O2 Academy).
There’s also appearances from Scot Frankie Boyle (10 Oct, Symphony Hall), Tom Stade (2 Oct, Comedy Junction), Lee Nelson (3 Oct, The Old Rep), Daniel Sloss (8 Oct, The Glee Club), Andrew Maxwell (9 Oct, The Glee Club), Iain Lee (10 Oct, mac), Chris Ramsey (11 Oct, The Old Rep) and The Noise Next Door (5 Oct, Comedy Junction).
Theatre productions include the world premiere of Meera Syal’s semi-autobiographical coming of age tale, Anita And Me (9-24 Oct, Birmingham Rep), while Tangram Theatre conclude their science trilogy with musical comedies dedicated to theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (11 Oct, mac) and Nobel Prize winning Marie Currie (9-10 Oct, Old Joint Stock).
The festival is officially launched with the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award (2 Oct, The Glee Club). After an electric sell-out show last year, the night promises a line-up of emerging acts from across the region who’ll vie for the coveted title.
Look out too for a special free Half-Dayer on Sunday 4 October, as various acts perform their one hour shows at two city centre venues: Cherry Reds and The Victoria. Among those taking part are Andy White, Gareth Berliner, topical podcasters the News With Jokes team, Hannah Silverster and Masi Graham. The Half-Dayer is one of several one-off events showcasing West Midlands’ talent.
A spokesperson for the festival said: “There’ll be around 100 comedians and performers taking part in shows right across the city, from well-established acts to hotly tipped newcomers. We’re especially pleased to welcome so many international names this year.
“We’re also extremely excited by the return of our Breaking Talent Award, and the many shows that feature the cream of the West Midlands’ comedy scene.”
The Birmingham Comedy Festival is officially sponsored by Fosters, supported by Arcadian, and runs from Friday 2 to Sunday 11 October 2015. For full listings and more information, see: www.bhamcomfest.co.uk
LISTINGS
Friday 2 to Sunday 11 October 2015
Birmingham Comedy Festival
Sponsored by Fosters
Ten-days of the very best of stand-up comedy featuring stellar TV names and new, fast-rising talent. Plus theatre, film and special events. Highlights include international stars ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and Henning Wehn, Chris Ramsey, Frankie Boyle, the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award, a free city-centre Half-Dayer and Anita & Me.
Various Venues, Birmingham
Twitter: @BhamComFest
NOTES TO EDITORS
UPDATE: The previously announced headline appearance from South African comedian Trevor Noah (10 Oct, Symphony Hall), has unfortunately been postponed due to Trevor’s filming commitments with US TV series The Daily Show. Full ticket refunds are available from point of purchase. Details of the rescheduled date will be announced via www.thsh.co.uk when confirmed. All parties apologise for any inconvenience.
About Birmingham Comedy Festival
Birmingham Comedy Festival launched way back in 2001.
It quickly established itself as one of the region’s major annual events, and is one of the West Midlands’ biggest multi-site festivals.
A not for profit, volunteer-led festival, it was set up to highlight the city’s vibrant comedy scene.
Looking back at previous festivals, line-ups read like a who’s-who of British comedy, with appearances from Michael McIntyre, Lee Evans, Lenny Henry, Peter Kay, Jimmy Carr, Alan Carr, Sarah Millican, Tim Minchin, Stephen Merchant and John Bishop.
Although stand-up comedy forms the core, the annual 10-day arts festival also embraces theatre, visual arts, films … ‘anything with a humorous element.’
About Fosters
Birmingham Comedy Festival 2015 is officially sponsored by Fosters. This is the second consecutive year that the festival has benefited from Fosters as lead sponsor.
About Arcadian
Birmingham Comedy Festival is officially supported by Arcadian. 2015 marks the fourth consecutive year that the complex has supported the festival.
The Arcadian in the heart of Birmingham is a unique complex set around an attractive piazza and is the perfect place to relax with friends and enjoy al fresco dining and drinks. With cuisines from around the world there is something to suit all taste buds and pockets from Mexican and Indian to Modern British and Chinese.
The stylish bars are a great place to meet for after work drinks or for partying the night away with friends. If you’re looking for something different why not visit the Glee Club which hosts first class comedy acts from around the world? If you want to extend your visit to Birmingham book a room at the Ibis Hotel or rent an apartment at Staycity Serviced Apartments so that you’re right in the thick of the action. The Arcadian’s award winning car park has CCTV and 24 hr security for added peace of mind.
From relaxing and kicking back with friends or for partying the night away the Arcadian in the centre of Birmingham has something to suit all occasions!
- For more information visit www.thearcadian.co.uk
Media Enquiries
For more details on Birmingham Comedy Festival 2015, including interview and image requests, contact us:
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