City launches second comedy festival

The second Glasgow International Comedy Festival has officially been launched, boasting 35,000 tickets over 150 performances.

Highlights of the event, which runs from March 17 to April 3, include Dylan Moran, Al Murray, Jimmy Carr and Johnny Vegas

Festival organiser Tommy Sheppard, who also runs the city's The Stand comedy club, said: "Last year's festival was a stunning success, exceeding targets and bringing considerable benefits to the city. It was always going to be a challenge to for us to try and improve on our achievements of 2003, but we can confidently say that we've done so.

"We believe there is potential to develop the festival into a major event on the international arts calendar", says Sheppard. "We aim to put it on a par with the internationally renowned Montreal and Melbourne comedy festivals."

Bailie Hanzala Malik, of the Glasgow's Economic Development Committee, added: "Glasgow's talent for producing gifted performers makes us the ideal location for a festival to celebrate comedy in all its forms."

The inaugural event last year incorporated 119 events - more than double the amount originally envisaged ­ and this year there's even more. For more information, visit the official website.

Published: 22 Jan 2004