Going ga-ga over gags!
Birmingham Comedy Festival returns next week and some of the big-name shows – notably James Acaster, Henning Wehn and Reginald D Hunter – are already sold out, But there’s still plenty going on elsewhere guaranteed to tickle your funny bone. Here’s our pi
Friday, October 4, The Glee Club, Birmingham
The opening event of the festival sees five emerging acts from across the region slug it out for the annual prize. Hoping to walk away with the trophy (well, it’s a mug actually) are Coventry’s Doug Carter and four Brum-based comics: Parisian Celya AB, Belfast-born Mary Flanigan, University of Birmingham graduate Adam Elmi and Jay Droch, who is also a member of local improv troupe Jumprov. Comedian James Cook is MC, and the night also features an appearance from rising Scottish comedian Fern Brady. A cracking chance to see the next Joe Lycett before they break through!
Sunday, October 6 and Sunday, October 13, Cherry Reds & The Victoria pub, Birmingham
Sixteen free comedy shows across two (almost) neighbouring city-centre venues, over successive Sundays. Rachel Burns recounts how her Twitter joke about The Bee Gee’s Barry Gibb thrust her into the limelight (and caused a Twitterstorm!), Wolverhampton’s Susan Murray instructs How Not To Die In A Plane Crash, and mum Sarah Johnson discusses her Ibiza experience. Elsewhere, the Black Country’s Rob Kemp (creator of hit The Elvis Dead) airs ideas for his next show, and former Free Radio Breakfast presenter Lovdev Barpaga gets his joke book out.
Sunday, October 6, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
If you enjoyed Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly’s biopic, here’s a chance to see the real thing with a Laurel and Hardy triple-bill, including feature film Way Out West.
Sunday, October 6, The Glee Club, Birmingham
Winner of the festival’s Breaking Talent Award in 2015, Warwickshire’s Josh has gone from strength to strength. A must-see for fans of James Acaster, his punchlines rarely end where you expect. Josh’s latest one-man show is snappily titled Maybe The Real Comedy Awards Are The Friends We Made Along
The Way.
Tuesday, October 8, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
Stand By Your Nan finds Rachel talking about her Brummie grandmother, who was not, it turns out, the average working-class housewife many may had presumed her to be. A true story of family, the roles we play, and ageing.
Friday, October 11, Town Hall, Birmingham
This lunchtime baby-friendly gig sees top comedians performing their material to an audience of parents and their offspring. Baby-friendly, there’s soft flooring, buggy parking, toys and baby changing. And a bar should you fancy a tipple.
Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham
After stunning audiences at last year’s festival with the explosive Bismillah! An ISIS Tragicomedy, Wound Up Theatre return with It’ll Be Alt-Right. Matthew Greenhough recounts a tale of two former punks, who find that they, and the times, have moved on.
Friday, October 11, Arena Birmingham
America’s Impractical Jokers are one of the biggest comedy acts in the world. Aired in the UK on Comedy Central and Freeview’s Paramount Channel, their hiddencamera dares have won them a global fan-base.
Saturday, October 12, The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham
Eight improv’ groups from across the UK converge at the Moseley base of Brum’s own Fat Penguin Improv for a free day of unscripted mirth-making. Among their targets are police and daytime TV dramas, a daring robbery, and more, as Coventry Improv, Leeds’ Discount Comedy Checkout, Bristol’s Up The Antics and others use audience suggestions to create the laughs. The day culminates in a mass one-off improv jam finale!
Sunday, October 13, Birmingham Hippodrome
The Last Leg star turns his attention to such hot topics as advent calendars, pesto and life’s small (but nonetheless vital) details. Back performing stand-up after a break, Josh reckons his batteries are recharged and his new show is focused and fat-free.
BIRMINGHAM Comedy Festival runs from October 4-13 across the city. For full line-up see bhamcomfest.co.uk