The 18th edition of the Nottingham Comedy Festival brings ten days of national stand-up, improv, sketch and panel shows across the city's bars, pubs and clubs.
The Nottingham Comedy Festival returns for its 18th year from Friday 30 October to Sunday 8 November, ten days of stand-up spread across the city's bars, pubs and clubs. Canalhouse on the waterfront is one of its main homes, hosting the festival alongside its own year-round comedy nights and touring shows. Other venues include Laceworks, The Lord Roberts, The Barley Twist and The Malt Cross.
The line-up runs from brand-new acts to established names. There are plenty of work-in-progress shows to catch early: Chloe Petts, Eli Hart, Yuriko Kotani and Tony Law are all running WIPs, and Arthur Smith has one too. A good chunk of the bill is built around the Spotlight Showcases, which champion underrepresented voices — disabled and neurodiverse, local, women and LGBTQIA+ comedians — alongside improv and musical comedy. Joe Wells and Abigoliah Schamaun bring Neurodivergent Moments, and the improv side is held down by SMASH NIGHT from Missimp Improv Comedy, featuring Press X, Social Club, The Long And Short of it and Chain Mail Armour.
Beyond those, there's a wide range of stand-up to pick from. Tharun Chelley and Hitz Unadkat perform Hairy Indian Bikers Without Bikes as our mums won't let us; Alex Watt and TJ McDonald do Laughter Party; Henry Michael brings He Will See You Now; and Matt Hobs does 200 Percent Badgers: Badgers vs Hedgehogs. The FM Show Podcast goes live, and Rachel Fairburn performs Vexy Beasts. Luke Harrower does An Asexual Guide On Love, Melissa Todd Gag Writer, Hannah Byczkowski Killer, and there's a game of Musical Chairs. Alfie Moore does a Radio Warm-up Show, and the Hot Mess Mansfield Takeover makes an appearance. Milo Edwards brings Catamaran, Charlie Lewis Hungry!, and Patrick Monahan does I'm Not a Terrorist, I'm Freddie Mercury. Ali Brice does All We Have Is Now (A Crowd Work Show), Michael Akadiri Don't Call Me Uncle!, and Rob Kemp Beatlesjuice. Paddy Young is on the bill, and Kevin Daniel does Jockanory. Jules O'Brian brings Avoid Excessive Cleavage (and Other Advice to Ignore), and Katie Slater and Rachel Page do Hitched & Ditched (WIP). Matt Winning does Solastalgia, Gareth Mutch Means Well, Tom Wrigglesworth A History of Hand Driers, Cosmic Kat Big-Top Heavy, Angela Bra Secret Diary of a Bingo Call Girl 2, and Ciaran Shea Your Worst Nightmare.
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It's a big programme to work through over the ten days, so you can pick and choose the nights that suit. SMASH NIGHT at The Malt Cross is £5, with £3 concessions.
Date
30 October – 8 November
Location
Various venues across Nottingham
Price
Paid
Recommended Age
+14 years
