Canadian fest ends on box office high

The Montreal comedy festival has drawn to a close - shattering box office records.

More than 1.7million people attended the Just For Laughs event, according to official attendance figures.

In addition, a further 2,492 artists and journalists descended on the city to cover the festival.

Highlights were seen by a further six million people through live reports on the flagship Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Festival chief Bruce Hills said: "We couldn't have asked for a better line-up of shows and comics to celebrate the Festival's 20th Anniversary. Everything came together perfectly."

Performers also enjoyed the event. Simpsons creator Matt Groening, who presented a live read-through of one of the episodes, said: "It was like being a rock star. Montreal fans are very intense. It was the most amazing audience."

British and Irish stars attending included Al Murray, making his transatlantic debut as the Pub Landlord, Ed Byrne, Dara O'Briain and Jimmy Carr.

O'Briain was such a hit that he was invited to take part in one of the prestigious televised galas, hosted by Joan Rivers.

After the show an old man came up to congratulate Dara, to which he offhandedly replied "yeah thanks," only to find out later it was Brian Mulrooney, the former Prime Minister of Canada.

Next year's festival will take place from July 10 to 20.

Published: 23 Jul 2002