The Latest in UK Stand-Up Comedy: Highlights from the Past Week
The Latest in UK Stand-Up Comedy: Highlights from the Past Week
The UK stand-up comedy scene has been buzzing with excitement over the past seven days, as festivals wrap up and big announcements drop. Here’s a roundup of the top news in comedy:
Birmingham Comedy Festival 2024 Comes to a Close
The Birmingham Comedy Festival, which ran from 4th to 13th October, has once again delivered a diverse line-up of both established names and up-and-coming talent. One of the highlights was the Breaking Talent Award, designed to showcase the best new talent in the Midlands. This year’s winner, Tom Towelling, impressed audiences with his sharp wit and fresh material. The festival is a significant springboard for emerging comedians, many of whom go on to achieve national recognition.
Southport Comedy Festival Kicks Off
Meanwhile, over in the North West, the Southport Comedy Festival has been making waves since it started on 27th September, with standout performances by the likes of Henning Wehn and Patrick Monahan. One of the festival’s key events was the New Comedian of the Year 2024 Grand Final on 6th October, which drew a host of talented new acts competing for the coveted title. The festival continues until 13th October, with big names like Jason Manford testing out new material in a work-in-progress show.
John Bishop Announces 2025 Arena Tour
In exciting news for fans of John Bishop, the Liverpudlian comedian has announced a massive UK and Ireland arena tour to celebrate 25 years in stand-up. The tour, set to kick off in October 2025, will see Bishop performing in major venues like London’s O2 Arena and Manchester’s Co-op Live. What’s more, all tickets will be priced at just £25 to mark the occasion.
Scotland Stands Up Returns
Finally, for fans of Scottish comedy, the hit show Scotland Stands Up is returning for its second special. Hosted by Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, the show is set to be filmed later this month in Edinburgh and will feature top Scottish talents like Iain Stirling and Susan Riddell. It’s sure to be a night filled with laughter and sharp Scottish humour.
As the UK comedy scene continues to thrive, with festivals, new tours, and exciting showcases for fresh talent, there’s never been a better time to catch some live stand-up. Keep an eye out for more announcements, and be sure to check out your local comedy nights to support emerging performers!