Comedy festivals-a-go-go

The line-up for the tenth Ealing Comedy Festival has been announced, featuring Bill Bailey, Rob Brydon and Al Murray (pictured) among others.

The event, held in a marquee west London's Walpole Park, is just one of a number of local comedy festivals taking place this summer.

Also appearing on the bills from July 19 to July 25 are Dylan Moran, Daniel Kitson, Jimmy Carr and Simon Evans. For full listings, click here.

Kitson and Carr are also taking part in the Summer Raspberry, held in a marquee in the gardens of Leicester's De Montfort Hall from July 4 to 6. Count Arthur Strong is also part of the event, organised by the Leicester comedy festival.

Meanwhile, York and Liverpool are preparing for their comedy festivals, starting on June 23 and June 27 respectively. The latter features 90 events across 15 days in the 2008 European City Of Culture.

At the other end of the scale, Hitchin in Hertfordshire is hosting possibly the smallest comedy festival in the UK - just six gigs on July 4, 5 and 6.

Published: 16 Jun 2003