The star-studded line-up for the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival can now be fully revealed.
From the ridiculous to the nostalgic and everything in-between, the programme has something for all tastes. The chase is now on for fans to grab their tickets with quiz show professional Paul Sinha leading the big names joining the festival.
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A familiar face on radio and a TV quiz favourite, Paul will bring his new show Hazy Little Thing Called Love to the Park Inn on Friday October 11.
Paul said: “Aberdeen remains the furthest I have travelled within the UK to perform comedy, and I am delighted to make a return. Any city obsessed with both Britain in Bloom and the 1983 Cup Winner’s Cup is fine by me.”
Leading ladies Janey Godley, Ashley Storrie, Jojo Sutherland, Harriet Kemsley, Catherine Bohart, Megan Shandley, Lou Sanders and Vikki Stone have also been added to the line-up, joining previously announced Desiree Burch, Fern Brady, Sindhu Vee and Sofie Hagen. The laughs don’t stop there as Stuart Mitchell, Rosco McClelland, Stephen Buchanan, Scott Gibson, Eddie Summers, James Nokise, Cal Halbert and Seska also join in the fun.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It is hugely exciting to announce the full line-up for what truly will be our biggest, funniest and best festival yet. Whether you’re considering catching some live stand-up for the first time or are a comedy stalwart keen to enjoy the next big thing, then Aberdeen truly is the best place to be this October.”
With over 20 years of performing award winning comedy around the world from Newcastle to New Zealand The “Queen of Scottish Comedy” Janey Godley leads the charge with her Beyond The Fringe show on Thursday October 3 at the Tivoli Theatre. Star of BBC Scotland’s Up For It! and host of BBC Radio Scotland’s Friday night music show, Ashley Storrie will bring her raw show Hysterical to Spin on Saturday October 5, focusing on mental health and the ways she uses humour to overcome her pain. This is Jojo Sutherland’s first solo show for five years and there is a reason for that, but you have to see the show to find out why. Tragedy plus time equals comedy, and the time is now, with Jojo in action at the Ferryhill House Hotel on Tuesday October 8 for Riches to Rags.
Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018, multi award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley pulls her skirt out of her pants and shames slut shaming in a nationwide tour. Harriet will bring Slutty Joan to Brewdog, Aberdeen on Wednesday October 9.
The star of BBC2’s The Mash Report, Catherine Bohart, will smash stereotypes around sex, sexuality and relationships with her show Lemon at the Tunnels on Thursday October 10. Also on Thursday, Megan Shandley brings tales of nostalgia and things forthcoming to O’Neills Aberdeen, with likeable vigor and a high dose of sass as she makes her debut at this year’s festival with Megazoid.
On Saturday October 12 at The Blue Lamp, Lou Sanders will examine relationships, mental health and generally overshare as she invites comedy fans to Say Hello to Your New Step-Mummy. Multi award-winning comedian and musician Vikki Stone will be in action on Sunday October 13 at the Carmelite, with an all new Song Bird show of her trademark comedy songs and stand up. Fresh from touring the Middle East join the longest running panellist on BBC Scotland’s Breaking the News, Stuart Mitchell, as he brings his new show Is It Just Me? to O’Neills Aberdeen on Friday October 4.
When you get a new worst day of your life, it’s time to tell everyone about the second worst! Star of BBC Scotland’s Up For It Rosco McClelland will do exactly that at Spin on Saturday October 5 with Magic Belly. Glasgow’s critically acclaimed and award-winning son Scott Gibson will cover everything from depression to love; the murkier hues of mental health, and the pursuit of happiness in the digital age at hisWhite Noise show on Friday October 11 at Park Inn by Radisson.
Earlier on Friday at the same venue, Stephen Buchanan brings his much-anticipated debut Baby Dove to the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival. Expect sharp storytelling and offbeat observations at Park Inn by Radisson, as the 27-year-old delves into the reality of living at home with his mum and a refugee.
On Saturday October 12, rising star on the alternative scene Eddie Summers will lead fans through the physical demands of cutting alarm systems and dealing with dangerous dogs at his School of Burglary show at the Blue Lamp … but he’s terrible at it!
Also on Saturday, there will be fun for all ages at the Carmelite Hotel as Seska throws buckets of happiness into the air with his magical show Quack Quack Bang! Critically acclaimedNew Zealand Political Comedian James Nokise will add to the laughs with two different shows, focusing on a whirlwind of topics at The Glentanar on Saturday October 12 with God Damn Fancy Man, and will be ready to Talk A Big Game on all things sport and politics on Sunday October 13 at McGinty’s Meal an’ Ale.
This year the festival has partnered with Cineworld Union Square, Aberdeen to incorporate some of the best newly released funny films including Zombieland 2: Double Tap, A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, Abominable and Joker.
The Aberdeen International Comedy Festival will run at a multitude of city venues, bars and clubs over the course of 11 days from Thursday 3 October until Sunday 13 October 2019. The festival has been organised and promoted in its entirety by Aberdeen Inspired since 2016 with generous support from The McGinty’s Group Scotland and Balmoral Group.
Tickets for all seventeen shows go on sale today (Thursday July 18). For more information on the full Aberdeen International Comedy Festival line-up and to buy tickets go to www.aberdeencomedyfestival.com
