Comedy promoters Funny Way To Be have announced the return of their popular club night.
The club, based at The Witham Arts Centre in Barnard Castle, will host the first in the new run of regular club nights on Saturday 3 September.
Hebburn creator and star Jason Cook and rising stars Lauren Pattison and Tom Ward will be among the four comics to perform on the night.
Cheerful Geordie comic and master storyteller Cook presents more true-to-life stories that drag you in and won’t let go, close to the edge but always intriguing.
Cook began his illustrious stand-up career in 2007 when he took his first solo show to the fringe, selling out for the bulk of the run, and earning 5 star reviews.
He then embarked on a sell out world tour and scooped the coveted Best International Show at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, an award previously won by Eddie Izzard and Stephen K Amos. His follow up shows in 2008 and 2009 achieved similar accolades.
In 2012 Cook’s sitcom Hebburn was commissioned for a full series by the BBC. Vic Reeves, Gina Mckee, Chris Ramsey and Fresh Meat’s Kimberley Nixon joined the cast in a story based on Cook’s own life and upbringing in the South Tyneside town of Hebburn.
Hebburn earned him a Royal Television Society Award, the Journal Culture Award for Best Writer and National Television Award nomination.
Cook’s combination of honesty, sharp comedic mind and wicked charm have endeared him to the public, earning an army of fans and invites to perform across the globe.
His ability to lift an entire audience, from 150 to 3000 people, an carry them on his journeys, has seen him rise to stand shoulder to shoulder with the cream of the international comedy stars.
The opening act for the evening will be Newcastle comic Lauren Pattison, a talented stand-up and actress who has been performing for three years. One of the brightest young talents on the comedy scene, Pattison came runner up at the Funny Women Awards 2014 and in 2015 was the only female comedian to reach the final of the Chortle Student Comedy Awards.
Pattison has supported Katherine Ryan on two national tours as well as opening for Stewart Francis.
Performing alongside Jason Cook and Lauren Pattison, is Tom Ward. Comedian, writer, filmmaker and voice-over artist Tom Ward has made a name for himself in comedy as a finalist in the BBC Radio New Comedy Award 2014, Leicester Square New Comedian Final 2013 and NATY Final 2014. Tom has forged a successful and unique path in the industry, with his inventive style incorporating his voice-over talents and improvisation, in addition to his innovative writing.
Peter Dixon of Funny Way to Be said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing back our club night, and with it the best of the British comedy circuit to Teesdale. We aim to bring something for everyone in one night of quick fire laughs.
“There’s no better comic to kick things off for us than Jason Cook; his work on Hebburn has made him a national star and a regional treasure.
“We’re also excited to have Lauren Pattison, fresh from her debut Edinburgh show and Radio 4 appearance in the final of the BBC New Comedy Awards, with us before she shoots off into stardom! Likewise, Tom Ward is another rising star of the UK comedy scene. It is going to be a very exciting night of comedy.”
A fourth comedian, yet to be announced, will complete the line-up.
The show starts at 8pm. Tickets are priced £10 in advance or £12 on the door (subject to availability).