Comedy: Octoberfest

Treats are in store from the Brighton Comedy Fringe this year

Much is being made of the Brighton Comedy Festival coming to town in October, bringing with it such big names as Nina Conti, Patrick Keilty and Beardyman. The Brighton Comedy Festival has done us proud this year. Thank you very much. But it pays not to forget the homegrown Brighton Comedy Fringe, organised by Otherplace Productions who programme The Basement all the year round, and the delights that they too have in store for us.
Starting a week later than big brother BC Festival, the BC Fringe kicks off with the marvellous Tom Parry (one third of award-winning sketch group Pappy’s) with his debut solo show ‘Yellow T-shirt’ on 16th October. Known as the most anarchic member of his sketch group, seeing Tom untethered will be a masterclass in mayhem and misrule. Which, when combined with his years of performing and gathering acclaim already, proves most enticing.

Red Brick Comedy is making a welcome return as Otherplace’s Saturday night comedy hub, hosted by Sean McLoughlan. Headliners this time include Luisa Omielan – who has been selling out all over the world, including at Komedia and last year’s Brighton Comedy Festival, with her shows ‘What Would Beyoncé Do?’ and ‘Am I Right Ladies?’ – and Mitch Benn – a popular member of the core team on BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Now Show’. Support acts are also always top notch with a hint of risk, making this a raucous and marvellous evening.
Otherplace were also the masterminds behind the Brighton Fringe’s Warren site, and as such they’ve booked some of their most successful shows from May to come back. Debut comic play Threesome plays several dates, as does Sh*t-faced Showtime. Plus hotly tipped solo shows from two members of the sell-out improvisation group Racing Minds, in the form of ‘Foolball’ from Tom Skelton and ‘Möglich’ from Douglas Walker.
Plus heaps from the likes of Beasts, Tom Neenan, Fin Taylor, Mixed Doubles, James Wilson-Taylor (the man behind ‘The Whosical’), and many more. So indulge in a bit of Fringe frolicking. You know you want to.
www.brightoncomedyfestival.com, www.otherplacebrighton.co.uk