Glasgow to get comedy fest

Glasgow is to get its own comedy festival.

Organisers say its about time the city had its own celebration, rather than living in the shadow of the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Great Glasgow Carlsberg Comedy Festival will take place over from June 12 to 16.

On the official website, organiser James Campbell, who runs the city's Blackfriars comedy club, said: "Edinburgh has a comedy festival, why shouldn't we?"

"If this is successful, next year we'll maybe make it bigger and who knows, within ten years, we might have something to rival to the Edinburgh Fringe!

"As well as pure stand-up we will also be putting on one-man shows, sketch-shows, plays and events for children."

Among the acts booked so far are Simon Munnery, Mitch Benn, Phil Kay, Daniel Kitson, Ross Noble, Lee Mack and Andrew Maxwell.

Glagow's comedy scene expanded last week with the opening of the custom-designed Jongleurs venue.

And the city council is planning a festival that will cover theatre, music and the visual arts as well as comedy in October., The Scotsman reported at the weekend.

Published: 14 Jan 2002