The club, based in The Witham Arts Centre, will welcome a host of big comedy names, alongside cult comics and rising stars, in the coming months.
Funny Way To Be’s autumn programme begins on Saturday 3 September with the return of its popular comedy night.
Stand-up and creator of BBC2 sitcom Hebburn Jason Cook will present three of the circuit’s best comics, meaning audiences get to enjoy performances from four great comedians for just £10. Appearing alongside Cook will be Newcastle comic Lauren Pattison, with two other special guests to be announced. Pattison was runner up at the 2014 Funny Women Awards, and has recently supported Katherine Ryan and Stewart Francis on tour.
The club kicks off October with a little bit of magic; on Saturday 1 October Pete Firman will be presenting his brand new show TriX.
Dubbed “the UK’s leading comedy magician” by Time Out, Firman returns with more of his trademark blend of crowd-pleasing comedy and jaw-dropping magic, fresh from his 10th year at the Edinburgh Festival.
Pete’s talent for effortlessly fusing magic and stand-up has made him one of the most sought-after performers in the country, and has lead to countless television appearances on the likes of The One Show, The Magicians, The John Bishop Show, BBC Breakfast, and The Sarah Millican Television Programme. A mind-bending and family-friendly show, the event will welcome audience members aged 14+.
On Saturday 8 October Funny Way To Be’s Comedy Club welcomes another four exceptional comics, including Mick Ferry and club favourite Steve Bugeja.
Headliner Ferry, voted Best Live UK Stand-Up by his fellow comedians in 2013 Comedy Awards, is renowned as a purveyor of gloomy surrealism. He has established himself as one of the most sought after comics on both the British and international comedy circuit. BBC Best Newcomer and Funny Way To Be regular Bugeja will complete the bill along with two other top comics yet to be announced.
Saturday 29 October sees the club take on a little culture as Tim FitzHigham brings his show Will Kempe – Shakespeare’s Stand-up to The Witham.
Multi-award-winning comedian FitzHigham commemorates the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare with this hilarious tribute to seventeenth century stand-up and creator of some of Shakespeare’s greatest comic characters Will Kempe.
Another firm club favourite returns on Wednesday 9 November, as Lee Nelson dusts off his twinset to try out his brand new material.
Cheeky London tearaway Nelson, who made his Barnard Castle debut with a sell-out show in 2014, is back with more top advice, “qualitee” banter and wickedly funny gags.
Nelson’s show is the latest in a long line of successful work-in-progress shows hosted by Funny Way To Be, who have also welcomed Mark Watson, Russell Howard and Chris Ramsey to road-test jokes on their stage.
On Saturday 26 November the club welcomes one of the hottest names in currently rising through the comedy ranks; Dane Baptiste. Original, provocative and exceptionally prolific, Baptiste became the first black British act to be nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2014, and will be performing his critically-acclaimed show Reasonable Doubt for Teesdale comedy fans on his first nationwide tour.
Continuing its stellar programme in the new year, the club already has a throng of excellent comedians lined up for 2017.
On Saturday 28 January perennial Fringe favourite Lucy Porter will bring her new show Consequences to the club, followed by Mock the Week stalwart and one-liner master Gary Delaney on Saturday 18 February.
On Saturday 18 March cult comic Richard Herring will perform the best routines from his twelve most popular shows in one riotous night, while on Saturday 15 April superlative storyteller Rob Rousepresents his new show Are You Sitting Comfortably?