Top names in 2020 British Library line-up

Adam Kay, Mark Thomas, Jenny Eclair, Arthur Smith, Robin Ince and Josie Long are just some of the writers taking part in the next Chortle Comedy Book Festival.

The event is returning to the British Library in London on Sunday January 19 – with a programme that’s even bigger than last year’s hugely successful day, with the addition of a third performance space.

Also in the packed day-long programme announced today, Titania McGrath creator Andrew Doyle discusses 'wokeness' in comedy with political correctness advocate Yasmin Alibhai-Brown; Jen Brister talks about The Other Mother, her wickedly honest parenting tale, and Katy Brand discusses her lifelong obsession with Dirty Dancing, as detailed in her book, I Carried A Watermelon. 

Top TV writer David Quantick reveals the comedy books that inspired him, Helen Lederer discusses female comedy writing in conjunction with her Comedy Women In Print competition, and Comedy Store Player Andy Smart recalls his days hitchhiking across Europe.

Meanwhile, Ken Dodd and Rik Mayall are remembered by their biographers Louis Barfe and Mark Searsby respectively.

As well as the book festival programme on January 19,  the festival kicks off with a gala stand-up gig on Friday January 17 featuring comedians who are also all authors: Shappi Khorsandi, Mae Martin, Jen Brister, Olaf Falafel and MC Dominic Frisby.

All-day tickets for the festival are available here for an early-bird price of £32, and for the gala gig here.

For more information, and tickets to individual events, visit the Comedy Book Festival website.

Published: 6 Dec 2019