London Comedy Festival launched

The London Comedy Festival has officially unveiled its programme - with 265 events under its banner.

This year's event - only the second - runs from May 18 to 26, and encompasses comedy events right across the capital.

The most high-profile event will be the free outdoor screening of a classic comedy film in Trafalgar Square.

Readers of London's Evening Standard will vote on the movie to be shown on Sunday May 19. And, in the following week, comedians will introduce their all-time favourite movies at the Curzon Cinema in Soho. (More details here)

The festival is wrapped up with a star-studded gala at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, with a line-up that includes Jo Brand and Al Murray. (More details here)

Other big names involved in festival events include Bill Bailey, Harry Hill, Neil Innes ad John Hegley.

A running strand in the festival is Cultures Of Comedy, a series of gigs showcasing comedians from different backgrounds.

There will be nights dedicated to Asian, Jewish, Canadian, Australian, Scottish West Indian, East End and Irish humour.

London Underground is also getting involved, with a series of Mind The Gag Tube posters offering comedy snippets in a similar fashion to Poems On The Underground.

A comedy festival in Lewisham has also been incorporated into the overall event, and libraries in Newham are staging a series of comedy-related activities.

Also Jongleurs is inviting punters to vote for their favourite comedian who has appeared at the chain of venues, for an award to be presented during the festival run.

Published: 17 Apr 2002