The Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival has launched its 2017 programme, featuring over 470 show. It runs from Thursday 9 – Sunday 26 March 2017.
2017’s festival features performances from household names like Jimmy Carr, Al Murray, Stewart Lee, Russell Howard, Bridget Christie, Omid Djalili, Reg D Hunter, Sue Perkins and Frankie Boyle and friends; and shows from some of the biggest acts on the UK circuit including Richard Herring, John Shuttleworth, Josie Long, Simon Munnery and David O’Doherty.
Further highlights include: Taggart’s Alex Norton making his solo debut at the Citizens Theatre; West End stars the Reduced Shakespeare Company bringing William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) to the King’s Theatre; Stuart Cosgrove and Tam Cowan making a triumphant return with Off The Bawl; acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night; a rehearsed reading with live music of Ian Auld and Willy Maley’s The Lions of Lisbon at new GLICF venue Barras Art And Design.
Local talent will also feature strongly - Fred MacAulay, Des Clarke, Craig Hill, Susan Calman, Mark Nelson, Janey Godley, Iain Connell and Robert Florence are lined up alongside the rising stars of Scotland’s world renowned comedy scene, including Richard Gadd, Fern Brady, Darren Connell, Ashley Storrie, Scott Gibson, Larry Dean, Scott Agnew and Jamie Dalgleish.
International acts will include Greg Proops, Hailey Boyle, John Hastings, Rich Hall, Tony Law and Abigoliah Schamaun, while perennial sell-out showcase America Stands Up! introduces some of the most exciting comedians working in the States right now.
As well as huge performances in the city’s biggest venues and intimate gigs in pubs, the Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival features Bob Slayer’s anarchic Blundabus pulling up at the Riverside Museum, classic silent movies with live music at the Britannia Panopticon, laughs for children at the Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre, and a BBC Comedy Workshop on how to make your funny ideas a reality.
Sarah Watson, Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival Director, said: “We’ve pulled out all the stops for our fifteenth year and are very pleased to be offering festival goers our biggest programme ever. It’s great to have new venues like the Riverside Museum and Barras Art And Design on board, and our new partnership with title sponsors Glasgow Live will make it even easier for visitors and locals to keep up with all the latest festival news. 2017’s Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival offers something for every taste and budget so I hope people will dive in to the programme, make a date to see their favourite comedian and hopefully discover some brilliant new acts too.”
Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “Some of the biggest names in comedy have graced the stages of the Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival over the years and the calibre of this year’s programme is again a strong reflection of this – it’s diverse, bold and packed with an eclectic mix of top performers from the UK and internationally.
“Glaswegians are renowned for their hospitality and good humour so it’s no surprise that we’re home to one of the best comedy festivals in the world, which perfectly encapsulates our city’s personality. We're also well used to staging major events with global appeal and with more than 470 shows across 50 venues, visitors and locals alike are in for a real treat.”
Tickets for all events are now on sale. Keep up to date with all the latest news by registering at glasgowcomedyfestival.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter @glasgowcomedy.
