The Darlington Comedy Festival is to return for a fifth outing this summer – with another stellar lineup of shows.The annual North East comedy festival will again welcome a diverse range of comedy acts between the2nd – 27th of July, from critically acclaimed TV comics through to the best in local up-and-coming talent.
Programmed and sponsored by Hilarity Bites, the festival has boasted top comedy names including Sarah Millican, Chris Ramsey, Jason Cook and Jimmy Cricket over the past five years.
The 2016 edition is set to continue its impressive programming history with performances from comedy stars such as TV’s favourite surrealist Tony Law, the circuit’s most popular character comic Tom Binns, Teesside’s own Patrick Monahan and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Seymour Mace.
The festival’s exciting lineup features a headline show from one of the most lauded comedians of recent years, eight double-header shows featuring fifteen of the county’s best loved comedy performers, a Hilarity Bites club night, a couple of free shows, a comedy chat show, a kid’s comedy club and a new act competition – once again providing something for all ages, budgets and comedy palettes.
This year’s festival will also see shows taking place in an eclectic variety of popular venues across the town, including Darlington Library, Forum Music Centre, Seen and Inside Out, Red Lion, Old English Gentleman, The Keys and Hole In The Wall.
The month-long Darlington Comedy Festival kicks off on Saturday 2nd July with Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, featuring performances from Scottish Comedian of the Year winner Mark Nelson, Vince Atta and host Freddy Quinne.
Next up in the programme – on Monday 4th July – is just one of the festival’s many highlights; The Not So Late Show.
The finest (and only) comedy chat show in Leeds, Ross Brierley and Joshua Sadler bring a unique comedy concept to Seen and Inside Out, with special guests, sketches, music, video and a whole host of inspired nonsense.
Seen and Inside Out will also play host to Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee 2015, Newcastle’s Seymour Mace, on Wednesday 6th July.
Joining Seymour will be Irish stand-up Andrew Ryan, who, following a sellout run at last year’s Fringe, returns to Darlington with his new show, Ruined.
TV comedian Tony Law – a regular staple on the likes of Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Celebrity Squares and The Alternative Comedy Experience – is next up at Seen and Inside Out on Wednesday 13th July.
An Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, Chortle Best Live Show Award winner, and Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Award winner, Law’s cheerfully absurd humour and jazzy, free-form charisma has endeared him to both live and TV audiences in the UK and abroad. This one is not to be missed.
With value for money a top priority for the festival, organisers have aimed to keep this year’s ticket prices low and shows accessible, with entry to many shows starting from just £3. There are also two free shows featuring preview shows from four outstanding comics.
On Tuesday 12th July Brennan Reece will perform his new show Everglow at Old English Gentleman, alongside David Stanier.
English Comedian of the Year Brennan has appeared on BBC, ITV, E4 and recently supported Joe Lycett on tour – while former Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year Stanier invites you to enjoy jokes, party games and all manner of untold silliness at his Silly Party.
Another of the festival’s free shows features two members of multi-award-winning sketch group, Gein’s Family Giftshop.
Kiri Pritchard-McLean and James Meehan will each preview their debut solo shows at The Red Lion onTuesday 19th July.
As seen on Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central, Leicester Mercury finalist Kiri Pritchard-McLean presents her ambitious show, Hysterical Woman, in which the sharp-tongued comic looks at race, genetics and gender.
Fosters and Chortle award-winning comedian James Meehan then tackles classism, standing up for yourself and the realities of being a working class man in a middle class industry in his new show, Class Act.
Looking for something to keep the kids entertained? Hilarity Bites Kids’ Comedy Club have got you covered.
Taking place at Darlington Library on Saturday 23rd July at 2pm, the club will see top comics Mike Milligan and Nicola Mantalios-Lovett and MC Lee Kyle perform a special show (without the swears) suitable for kids aged six and upwards.
Rounding off the festival on Monday 25th July at Hole in the Wall is the North East’s biggest and longest-running comedy contest, the Hilarity Bites New Act Competition.
The final will feature the four heat winners and the best runners-up from June’s heats, with host Andy Fury joined by 2015 winner Rob Mulholland, who will perform a headline set.
Three judges, with the help of the audience, will then decide who gets to add their name to the prestigious roll of honour.
The festival’s final show takes place two days later with a must-see performance from character comic extraordinaire Tom Binns and his wickedly funny creation Ian D. Montfort at Seen and Inside Out.
Festival organiser Neil Jollie said: “This is the fifth year we’ve run the festival and we’ve always gotten a great response from comedy fans across Teesside and County Durham; we’re sure this year they’re going to love what we’ve got lined up for them.
“We have a few returning comics on the bill this year; everyone who plays the festival is always keen to come back, as we’ve always had really warm, really enthusiastic audiences.
“From kids’ shows and audience-favourites like Patrick Monahan, to the more offbeat comics like Tony Law and Seymour Mace, there really is something for everyone at the festival this year. There are also some outstanding newer comics on the bill, so you may just find your new favourite comedian!”
Tickets for shows at The Forum Music Centre, Darlington Library, Hole in the Wall, and The Keys are also available to buy from respective venues.