Summer Comedy Festivals

Summer Comedy Festivals

03 July, 2009
by: Emma

Around this time of year, the comedy industry goes into overdrive in London with most clubs putting on a run of Edinburgh previews - until it all goes dead around August when everyone buggers off to The Fringe. At least that's what used to happen. Now we have plenty of our own 'Fringes' to keep us entertained throughout the summer, with no need to spend all that money and effort trying to book last minute B&Bs in 'The Burgh' - the mere thought makes us break into a sweat! So here is a festival guide to all the entertainment you have to look forward to over the coming months, including two massive preview seasons if you still want to catch some on the cheap before August.

Split Your Riversides Preview Season
11th July-Saturday 1st August

In anticipation of the Edinburgh Festival, Riverside Studios are holding their own scaled down version, with over 30 comics performing previews of their new shows before they take them up north. Over 16 dates in July you can catch mostly stand-up double bills there from headline acts like Alistair McGowan and Richard Herring.

They say: "The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is fast approaching and once again Riverside Studios previews a feast of comedic delights including one of the most original and compelling comics on the scene, John Gordillo, and the nation's favourite impressionist, Alistair McGowan with a brand new one man stand-up show"

Top picks: John Gordillo: F*ckanomics, Richard Herring: Hitler Moustache

Website

Battersea Arts Centre N2O Season
Monday 13th July-1st August

Every summer, Battersea Arts Centre holds its N2O comedy season where you can see Edinburgh previews and work-in-progress shows from a stream of quality acts warming up for the Fringe. From Perrier winners like Laura Solon and Daniel Kitson to top sketch groups like The Penny Dreadfuls and Pappy's Fun Club, you are spoilt for choice with all the new material on offer here.

They say: "N2O is the perfect way to get a taster of the Fringe if you won't be heading to this year's Festival. We're looking forward to work by some of our favourite names and also to welcoming some of the best new and up-and-coming comedians to the old Town Hall. Come and join us for a pint."

Top picks: The Penny Dreadfuls in The Never Man, Daniel Kitson: The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church

Website

Ealing Comedy Festival
Friday 17th July-24th July

As part of their big annual arts festival, Ealing council is holding a mini comedy festival in Walpole Park in July. Each day will feature several headline acts from the devilishly dry BBC4 host Simon Evans to sassy Iranian comedienne Shappi Khorsandi.

They say: "This year's line-up is sure to impress because there is something for everyone. Tickets will sell out fast - going to a comedy festival is such a great way to spend a summer evening."

Top picks: Pete Firman, Simon Evans

Website

RVT Hot August Fringe
27th July-28th August

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, South London's home of camp humour and alternative cabaret, is this year holding its own 'Hot August Fringe' festival with 25 nights of cutting edge performances from comedy to music, cabaret, magic and performance art. Confirmed acts so far include magician Christian Lee, nu-cabaret king Dusty Limits and top female stand-up Shazia Mirza. Every night during the festival from Monday to Friday, the RVT will run four different shows from 6-11pm; each costing £7.

They say: "The Hot August Fringe will appeal to Londoners seeking to explore London's rich cultural scene outside of the West End and offer performers, who find the cost of other fringe festivals prohibitive, an affordable alternative. We're programming the finest emerging and established talent to ensure the HAF is as wild and unpredictable as possible!"

Top picks: Shazia Mirza's New Show and Picture of Dusty Limits

Website

Camden Fringe
3rd-30th August

Every year the Camden Fringe gets bigger and bigger and 2009 is no exception. Spread over four North London venues throughout August - The Roundhouse Studio Theatre, The Camden Head, The Etcetera Theatre and The Camden People's Theatre; there are stacks of performances going on all day and all night - 399 to be exact!

They say: "Our line-up is an exciting mix of old favourites and great fresh faces. It's not just stand-up - we've got sketch comedy, clowning, comic characters, funny poets and musical acts - oh, and a full programme of theatre as well.

Top picks: Robin Ince's School For Gifted Children, Simon Amstell - Do Nothing, Intimate Strangers – I am Sasha Fierce

Website

Greenwich Comedy Festival
7th-13th September

Created in memory of the infamous comedy promoter Malcolm Hardee by his step-children, this is another brand new comedy festival and not only that, it's now London's biggest in terms of size. As well as holding shows in Greenwich Theatre and Up The Creek Comedy Club, a temporary 1,000-seater tent will be set up in 'The Grounds' of the Old Royal Naval College to cope with overwhelming demand. Some very special comics have been lined up to perform including Kevin Eldon, Russell Howard, Adam Buxton, Jo Brand and Arthur Smith.

They say: "Will & 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 Londoner's are more in need of a laugh now than ever! 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. We really want to recreate the energy and vibrancy of the Edinburgh Fringe and music festivals but without any jugglers or wellies!"

Top picks: Adam Buxton, Kevin Eldon

Website


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Emma