Comedy: Brighton Comedy Festival
With October arriving again it’s time to sit down and pick your favourite shows in our own Comedy Festival
There is a positive array of comics old and new heading into town in two short weeks’ time, ranging from Paul Daniels to Micky Flanagan, with late additions coming in thick and fast from the bookers, who have kept a fresh eye out throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to bring us the brightest and newest.
Among those is the familiar face of Nick Helm, whose first show last year brought him down to the Brighton Comedy Festival, and this, his second show, won him a nomination for the Edinburgh Award. Fellow nominee Andrew Maxwell can also be found, as well as Best Newcomer nominee the very funny Josh Widdicombe.
The big headline names include Sarah Millican, Tommy Tiernan, Phill Jupitus, Milton Jones, Reginald D Hunter and Margaret Cho, to name a few. But there is also space for a variety of different kinds of comedy, from Chris Cox’s breathtaking mindreading magic to Delete The Banjax, Late Night Gimp Fight and Idiots Of Ants with their delightful sketch comedy. And not forgetting the cabaret showstoppers Frisky & Mannish. Plus Showstopper!, an improvised musical comedy created before your very eyes and with an indecently well-respected cast.
Make sure you don’t miss any of the homegrown talent, too, as Brighton home favourites step away from the compereing mic and we get the rather excellent trio of Zoe Lyons, Stephen Grant and Seann Walsh all providing their own full-length shows. If you liked them linking comics and their regular nights, you’ll love a full-on blast of undiluted humour from each of them.
Add to those the marvellous up-and-coming acts – like Nick last year – who have been spotted by well tuned comedy-finding eyes, along with the usual Best Of The Best variety boxes, plus Best of Chortle Awards and you’re spoilt for choice. Prices vary so there should be something to suit every pocket. Treat yourself – have a giggle as summer ends and autumn arrives.
Brighton Dome venues, 7–22 October, Brightoncomedyfestival.co.uk
