First acts announced for Derby Comedy Festival!

Comedy Festival audience

Wed 1 Mar 2017

Derby Comedy Festival is returning for 2017, bringing together businesses and venues from across Derby City Centre this May, with tons of acts to keep you laughing the whole 10 days.

Now in its fourth year, Derby Comedy Festival will take place from Friday 5 to Sunday 14 May, and Derby LIVE will be hosting a number of events at the Guildhall Theatre, with more events to be announced for the Guildhall Theatre Clubrooms!

The programme has something for everyone, with different shows taking place for adults, children and families there is plenty to tickle the funny bone. Highlights include comedy panel show regular Lee Hurst, multi-award winner Tony Law, Chortle award winner Marcel Lucont, Edinburgh Fringe sell-out James Wilson-Taylor, radio favourite Jeremy Hardy and Derby’s own Lost Boys.

Appearing on Friday 5 May, Comedy Show No. 9 is Lee Hurst’s aptly named ninth full-length comedy show. A regular face on comedy panel shows including They Think It’s All Over (as a team captain) and Have I Got News for You, his combined quick wit, sharp observation and easy manner with funny stories, quality gags and no gimmicks will make an evening in Lee’s company a fun night out.

As part of his UK tour, multi award-winning comedian, Tony Law is closer than ever to nonsense nirvana as he brings his brand new show to Derby Comedy Festival on Monday 8 May. A Law Undo His-elf What Welcome showcases the inimitable surreal comedy-art that has made him one of the most celebrated live performers in the UK. 

Winner of the Chortle Award 2015 and Best Comedy - Fringe World 2013, Marcel Lucont’s Whine List appears at the Guildhall Theatre on Wednesday 10 May. As seen on BBC1’s The John Bishop Show and Sky Atlantic’s Set List, audiences can be prepared for an evening of dry wit, scandalous musings and originally sharp jokes.

Ginger is the New Black is the Edinburgh hit musical comedy written and performed by James Wilson-Taylor. Join James on Saturday 13 May for a musical history of the redhead as he attempts to end the bullying and rebrand gingers for 2017, can he make Ed Sheeran less boring? Audiences are also invited to stay on for an informal post show Q&A with James in the Guildhall Bar.

Well-known for his television and, in particular, radio appearances, Jeremy Hardy is in his 4th decade as a stand-up this year. In 2014, the tenth series of Jeremy Hardy speaks to the Nation was broadcast on Radio 4. He has never stopped doing live shows since 1984, and he will be appearing at the festival on Friday 12 May.

The Guildhall Theatre will also be playing host to some brilliant family shows, including exciting up and coming acts like Lewis Bray, an emerging actor and writer. Now on tour, his first play Cartoonopolis is suitable for ages 12+ and debuted to outstanding reviews as part of Liverpool Everyman Playhouse Ignition Project. Performed by himself on Thursday 11 May, the show follows a theatrical fantasy world inside a real story about living with autism and pulling together through adversity.

Comedy Club 4 Kids on Saturday 13 May is another fantastic event for children and their families. Taking place during the day the show is family friendly and run just like a normal comedy club with some of the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit, but without the rude bits.

On Sunday 14 May the family entertainment continues with Christian Lee and POP! - a magical comedy show for ages 3 - 8 and their families. Mr Bean meets Charlie Chaplin in a totally word-free clown and magic show where audiences are invited to join the hapless hero and follow his exciting adventures at sea.

In the first announcement for events to be taking place at Guildhall Theatre Clubrooms the popular Lost Boys Productions return with Creating Comedy Characters, a practical workshop exploring building and developing comedic characters for stage and screen. Absurd, naturalistic, human alien – there are no limits.

Tickets for the above programme can be purchased through the Derby LIVE Box Office on 01332 255800 or online, they can also be purchased at the Sales and Information Centre, on the Market Place, Derby, DE1 3AH.

Keep up to date with the latest festival announcements on twitter and facebook.