Comedy festival launches in city

The headline act for the 2015 Derby Comedy Festival is stand-up star Jimmy Carr, who will perform his hit show, Funny Business, at the new Derby Arena on Friday, July, 10.

The Derby Comedy Festival was launched in 2014 and is produced by Derby City Council’s entertainment arm, Derby LIVE, who will work alongside other arts organisations in the city including: Déda, Derby Theatre, Funhouse Comedy, Furthest From the Sea, QUAD and Sinfonia Viva.

This year’s festival will run from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 12.

The festival will feature many comedy genres including: stand-up, improvisation, children’s comedy, burlesque and theatre and will appeal to a wide range of audiences and take place at a host of venues in the city, including Derby Arena, Bar 1; Déda; Derby Theatre; Guildhall Theatre and QUAD.

The festival kicks off on Friday, July 3, with a Funhouse Comedy Club event at The Old Bell Hotel’s ballroom. Doors open at 7.30pm, and the show starts at 8.15pm.

Don’t miss Steve Royle, Yianni Agisalaou, Barry Dodds in action, all compered by Annette Fagon.

Also on July 3, you can see Jonny Awsum and Friends at the Guildhall Theatre.

Don’t miss Derby’s own ‘comedic whirlwind’ for a night full of fantastic guests, music and comedy.

Jonny Awsum and Friends will deliver a night of unmissable comedy to celebrate the start of the 2015 Derby Comedy Festival. Join your host as he presents some of the best and most varied comedic talent from across the UK and further afield.

Joining Jonny are Gein’s Family Giftshop, Mark Simmons and Mickey D.

After that, the acts in the first few days of the festival include:

n Little Howard’s Big Show for KidsQUAD. This is taking place at QUAD on Saturday, July 4, from 1pm.

Little Howard is the world’s only live interactive animation. He’s won so many awards and fantastic reviews and he’s only just celebrated his sixth birthday (for the tenth year in a row)!

Following the success of their TV show Little Howard’s Big Question (CBBC) real human Big Howard and animated six-year-old Little Howard are bringing their unique family comedy show to QUAD. With interactive stand-up, live animation on stage and lots of jokes and songs this really is a show that all the family can enjoy.

n Morgan and West perform their show Parlour Tricks at the Guildhall Theatre on July 4. Time travelling magic duo Morgan and West present a brand new show chock full of jaw-dropping, brain-bursting, gasp-eliciting feats of magic.

n Edinburgh Festival Preview All-Dayer at Bar One. No need to go to the Edinburgh Fringe. Catch six of the best shows for just one great value ticket in a lovely covered beer garden.

The event features festival patron Jonny Awsum, Radio 4 favourites Mitch Benn and Alfie Moore, popular Patrick Monahan, Chris Turner and the amazing spoof spirit medium Ian D. Montfort.

n Ey Up Mi Duck- A Celebration of Derby Comedy is at the Guildhall Theatre on Monday, July 6. From the far reaches and indeed dark recesses of Derbyshire comes a night of the finest Derbyshire comedians, frivolity and rather amusing turns.

n Interrobang takes place at Déda on Tuesday, July 7, at 7.30pm. Interrobang, brought to you by Furthest From The Sea, features an improvised comedy jam in which everyone can take part, followed by a showcase of the best improv in the region.

Lewis Schaffer Is Free Until Famous is a free show at the Guildhall Theatre on July 7, featuring the US comic who combines the comedy genes of Joan Rivers and Jackie Mason with the relevance of the freshest British comedians.

For more on the events in the festival, see www.derbycomedyfestival.co.uk

For more on the acts in the latter stages of the festival see next week’s paper.