Festival line-up announced

Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival has announced this year’s  line-up, with Tim Allen, Jackie Mason and the voices behind the Family Guy cartoon among the big attractions.

Dave Gorman’s Googlewhack Adventure will be making its Canadian debut there, while another Brit, James Campbell, will be hosting the festival’s first ever children’s show, Comedy 4 Kids.

Campbell also appears in the Britcom stand-up showcase, alongside Nina Conti, Stan Stanley, Hal Cruttenden and compere Boothby Graffoe.

And in the Irish O’Comics show, Ed Byrne hosts Tommy Tiernan, Reuben and Neil Delaware.

But Just For Laughs chief Bruce Hills said he is particularly excited about having Seth MacFarlane and the rest of the Family Guy cast visit for a live read-through followed by a question-and answer session.

Also on offer at the festival – a favourite hunting ground for American agents and producers - is the world premiere of  Evil Dead 1 & 2: The Musical, a comedy based on Sam Raimi's campy horror classics.

Hills added: “We’ve always tried to put together a festival for everyone and this year I think we’ve really achieved that goal.”

Other international names at the event, which runs from July 15 to 25, include Caroline Rhea, Tom Arnold,  Greg Proops, Dom Irrera and Mike Wilmot.

Just For Laughs official home page >>

Published: 17 May 2004