Just when you thought comedy festivals were over...London's biggest ever kicks off this week in Greenwich, with four venues (including a massive 1,000 capacity tent) playing host to 30 shows.
The Old Royal Naval College will open its gates to house the big top which is holding assorted line-ups of heavyweight comedians including Russell Howard, Jo Brand, Mark Watson and Jon Richardson (recently nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award) from Wednesday-Sunday. The Greenwich Theatre meanwhile is putting on some really exciting one-man shows all week from Bug: The Evolution of Music Video with Adam Buxton to the return of political activist Robert Newman (The History Of The World Backwards) who has been off the radar for several months writing his new book.
South East London's most notorious comedy club, Up The Creek is also participating with some cracking line-ups to its regular weekend gigs and the Royal Observatory will be screening Leprechaun 4: In Space as the Bad Film Club takes over for an extra special session with commentary from comedians Nicko and Joe. For anyone looking to carry on the party on Saturday, there will be an open air Silent Disco session under the stars by the Royal Naval College, with DJs Michael Minten (DJ OD) and Floor Nagengast (Deejay Flo) playing a of mix of everything from indie to electro, funk, pop and rock.
Opening for the first time this year, the festival was created in memory of legendary comedy promoter Malcolm Hardee by his step-children Will and Cass. Hardee was a well-loved character on the comedy circuit and many consider him the greatest influence on British comedy over the last 25 years. As a talent spotter and club owner, he nurtured a whole generation of alternative talent in the 80's from the likes of Paul Merton and Harry Enfield to Vic Reeves and Jo Brand. He was also a consummate prankster and publicity stuntman; famously getting questioned by police for stealing Freddie Mercury's £4,000 birthday cake and regularly appearing on stage naked.
We recently caught up with Hardee's step-daughter Cass who told us why she and Will decided to set up the festival and what they're expecting: "I grew up surrounded by comedy which will come as no surprise to those familiar with my late step-father. I always loved it when a lot of people got together to have a good time. Will and I started thinking seriously about the festival just as the whole credit crunch debacle hit. A few nay-sayers warned us that it was too risky to put something like this on but we carried on regardless knowing that Londoners are more in need of a laugh now than ever!"
"We have some of the biggest names in comedy playing in all the big venues in Greenwich plus a 1,000 seat tent going into the Old Royal Naval College. A lot of the acts we have on were touched by Malcolm in some way and as Greenwich was very much his stomping ground I imagine there'll be a few references to his many dubious escapades. He introduced Will and I to the brilliance that is stand-up comedy and we'll be taking great pleasure in introducing a whole load more people to it. We really want to recreate the energy and vibrancy of the Edinburgh Fringe and music festivals but without any jugglers or wellies!"
To find out more and to view the full line-up visit: http://www.greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk
See all Greenwich events
See all London stand-up comedy
See all events in London
Add an event
Sex with a Stranger at Trafalgar Studios
The bold title of Stefan Golaszewski’s new play, while undoubtedly attention grabbing, is slightly...