With appearances from Romesh Ranganathan and Boy With Tape On His Face, plus two free Sunday afternoon Half-Dayers
The long-running Birmingham Comedy Festival returns this October with another top-flight line-up of comedic talent (Friday 7 to Sunday 16 October 2016).
This year’s 10-day festival features headline appearances from Romesh Ranganathan (9 & 12 Oct, Town Hall), the entrancing silent Boy With Tape On His Face (13-15 Oct, mac Birmingham), and Kerry Godliman, co-star of Ricky Gervais’ Derek (14 Oct, The Glee).
The festival also welcomes Irishman Jason Byrne (16 Oct, Town Hall), topical stand-up Matt Forde (7 Oct, The Old Rep), Nathan Caton (13 Oct, The Glee), Justin Moorhouse (8 Oct, The Old Rep), and Tony Law (14 Oct, Comedy Junction).
Other highlights include Richard O’Brien’s record-breaking rock’n’roll musical Rocky Horror Show (10-15 Oct, New Alexandra Theatre), a new live panel show, Panelbeaters, co-created by Mock The Week’s Gary Delaney (16 Oct, The Glee), and Paul Richards’ 50 Ways To Leave Your Drummer, in which the musician/ comedian recounts being fired from 50 acts, including Frank Turner and Heaven 17 (9 Oct, Old Joint Stock).
The festival officially kicks off with the third Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award (7 Oct, The Glee), and boasts two Free Half-Dayers in the city centre (9 and 16 October). Taking place at Cherry Reds and The Victoria, on John Bright Street, the successive Sunday afternoons see more than 18 acts perform new shows, among them Josh Pugh, improv’ troupe Foghorn Unscripted, world-ranked board gamer James Cook, podcasters News With Jokes, Karen Bayley, Hannah Silvester, Lovdev Barpag Lindsey and Danny, and Gareth Berliner.
A spokesperson for the festival, which debuted in 2001, said:
We’re very pleased to be marking our 15th year with such an excellent and varied line-up that mixes seasoned and familiar TV names, with emerging acts and some top newcomers.
There’s over 70 performances across the city, with our two Sunday afternoon Half-Dayers giving audiences the opportunity to catch some really great acts for free.
The Birmingham Comedy Festival runs from Friday 7 to Sunday 16 October 2016. For full details see: www.bhamcomfest.co.uk