Event is the biggest yet

Glasgow’s comedy festival has unveiled its full programme, boasting more than 500 shows at 54 venues  – the ever in the festival’s history.

Tommy Tiernan, Rob Delaney, Katherine Ryan, Ed Byrne, Bridget Christie, Limmy, David Baddiel, Jerry Sadowitz, Alexei Sayle, Jonathan Pie and Elaine C Smith are among the comics taking part in the festival, which runs through most of March. 

John Moloney will be filming his TV pilot The Comedians at The King’s across two nights at the festival, a variation on Live At The Apollo with all the acts aged over 50 and funded by the comedians themselves in the hope of selling it to a broadcaster.

Other highlights include an exhibition of artwork celebrating Scottish comedy and art produced by comedians, Whitehall aide turned comedian Ayesha Hazarika playing her hometown for the first time and Mark Thomas’ new show about starting a comedy night in Palestine, featuring two aspiring comedians from the Jenin refugee camp.

Other acts include Mark Steel, Des Clarke, Shappi Khorsandi,Tom Allen, Richard Herring, Foil Arms & Hogg, Phill Jupitus,  Fern Brady, Iani Stirling, Janey Godley and Robin Ince.

Unusual shows include the Comedy Crawl which takes the audience to see four comedians in four West End bars and Round The Clock Comedy Roadshow which takes place over 12 hours with a different performance each hour. 

Festival director Sarah Watson said: ‘We are proud to showcase diverse voices, styles and art forms. There are shows to suit every budget and taste and I hope people will take a chance on someone new – you might just discover the next big thing.’

David McDonald, deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, added: ‘Glaswegians are renowned for their hospitality and good humour so it’s no surprise that we’re home to one of the best comedy festivals in the world with this year promising to be the biggest and best event to date. An eclectic line-up of some of the greatest comedy performers from around the globe, as well as the very best of home-grown Scottish talent, is set to delight audiences across an even wider range of venues throughout the city.’

The Whyte & Mackay Glasgow International Comedy Festival runs from March 8 to 25. The website is here.

Published: 10 Jan 2018