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What's On
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Birmingham
Comedy Festival: 2007
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| _BRMB Birmingham Comedy Festival: Full Listings | |
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_To download full festival listings in PDF format, click here |
For brief details,
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Thursday 27
September to Saturday 3 November 2007 Artists Dave Beech, Andy Hewitt and Mel Jordan, aka Freee, create a series of objects with the IPS gallery, as well as a series of small public art works which are both interrelated and also independent. Humour has been important in the work of Freee in the past - a previous project featured a collaboration with stand-up comedian Norman Collier. International Project Space (IPS), Bournville Centre for Visual Arts, BIAD, UCE, Maple Rd, Birmingham B30 2AA. Tel: 0121 331 5785 / 07828 537 989. Free. Mon-Sat, noon-5pm, (Wed noon-7pm). www.internationalprojectspace.org |
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Saturday 29
September 2007 to Saturday 14 October 2007 In a bar in
rural Ireland, the landlord and three regulars are telling ghost
stories to try and spook Valerie, a young woman recently arrived
from Dublin. But as the conversations move on, things take an unexpected
twist as Valerie starts recounting her own story - and it's she
who ends up scaring the men... The Crescent Theatre, Sheepcote St, Birmingham B16 8AE. Tel: 0121 643 5858. £10-£9. 7.30pm. www.crescent-theatre.co.uk |
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Thursday 4 October
to Saturday 6 October 2007 With two actors
portraying over thirty different roles - from gruesome school bullies
to demonic deputy heads, using little more than a box of props and
a load of imagination - Prologue's acclaimed production of John
Godber's school comedy is a performance not to be missed! mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham B12 9QH. Tel: 0121 440 3838. £7.50/£7. 7.30pm www.macarts.co.uk |
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Friday 5 October
2007 Jimmy Carr is one of the biggest faces in comedy. Literally - he's got one of the biggest faces. Fresh from presenting 8 Out of 10 Cats, writing his first book, The Naked Jape, and recording his third DVD, Comedian, the British Comedy Award winner is back on the road. Not suitable for the easily offended. In fact, not even a show for people that are quite difficult to offend. Essentially this is a show for people without a moral compass. Symphony Hall, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EA. Tel: 0121 780 3333. 8pm. £19.50 www.thsh.co.uk |
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Friday 5 October
2007 A new, exciting, hilarious and exhilarating show from the award-winning actor and comedian. Fusing acute observational and satirical stand-up with brilliant character studies, Felix, as seen in shows such as The Real McCoy, The Lenny Henry Show, The Fast Show and Radio 4's Down the Line, brings his multitude of comic talents to The Drum. With host Teletubbie turned comedian John Simmit. The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU. Tel: 0121 333 2444. £10-£15. 7pm www.the-drum.org.uk |
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Friday 5 October
to Sunday 14 October 2007 Rob Greenie
(The Neighbour) detests all women, children and old people apart
from his wife, daughter and mother. Why is he such a bully? This
glimpse into The Neighbour’s nightmare world will leave you in no
doubt as to why. What is The Neighbour doing as he watches you from
behind his tree? A thoroughly embarrassing ten minute comedy monologue,
guaranteed to leave its audience a heaving mass of guffawed-out
weaklings. “Hilarious comedy” - Birmingham Post. Fri Oct 5, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, 4 Temple Row West (Off Colmore Row), Birmingham B2 5NY. Tel: 0121 200 0946. Free. 1pm-2pm. Rob Greenie
will be appearing in offices, canteens, cafes, pubs and homes throughout
Birmingham. To book this ten minutes that will change your life
(subject to availability) and bring riotous laughter to any venue,
please contact: www.ComedyMoment.co.uk.
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Friday 5 October
2007 to Saturday 6 October 2007 A night of the very best in live comedy featuring four of the finest comedians, hand-picked from the sharp end of the UK and international comedy circuit. Murphy is one of the most inventive Irish comics around, Hughes the long-haired heavy metal God of satire, Kitty the sweeter side of the evening and Morton, the seasonal stalwart of the gang. Can't fail to entertain! The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Birmingham B5 4TD. Tel: 0870 241 5093. £6.50-£17. 7.45pm. www.glee.co.uk |
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Friday 5 October
to Saturday 6 October 2007 Four leading comedians guaranteed to knock your socks off - or at the very least your loose fitting sandals. Monahan is a bundle of energy whose experience doing warm-up for Friday Night With Jonathan Ross has helped mould him into a real crowd pleaser, while Cole is a true giant of the comedy scene (6ft 7in to be precise). 3 Non Blondes star Ninia brings the sass, followed swiftly by soft-hearted wideboy Ricky Grover. Jongleurs, Quayside Tower, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2HF. Tel: 0870 7870707. £14-£17. 7.30pm. www.jongleurs.co.uk |
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Saturday 6 October
2007 Edinburgh Fringe's 2006 If.comedy Best Newcomer Josie invites you to a very special 'electric' version of her popular London night, The Adventure Club, set within the swish art deco surroundings of Brum's fantastic Electric Cinema. The evening will come complete with homemade badges, amateur craft and some of Josie's very special comedy friends. You might even get a biscuit. Bourbon Creams and everything! Electric Cinema, 47 Station St, Birmingham B54DY. Tel: 0121 643 7879. £7. 3pm. www.theelectric.co.uk |
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CANCELLED
Saturday 6 October
2007 Lily's Big Night Out |
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Sunday 7 October
2007 Somewhere between Xanadu and Pearl Harbor, among the rubber sharks and evil leprechauns live The Bad Film Club, committed to bringing you the best in comedy and the worst in movies via a live DVD-styled commentary. The unlucky movie chosen for this year's festival is camp classic Can't Stop The Music, the ill-fated 1980 big screen debut of The Village People that Newsweek described as "the first all-singing, all-dancing horror film; the Dawn Of The Dead of the disco era." Electric Cinema, 47 Station St, Birmingham B54 DY. Tel: 0121 643 7879. £12/£8. 1pm. www.theelectric.co.uk |
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Sunday 7 October
2007 For over 25 years Kevin's been wowing audiences all over Australia and the UK with his unique storytelling style, his bawdy ballads and his incredibly refreshing 'who gives a f*** who I offend, mate?' attitude. Expect a great bunch of hilarious new songs alongside choices from his ever-growing collection of old favourites. Alexandra Theatre, Station St, Birmingham B5 4DS. Tel: 0870 607 7546. £16.50. 7.30pm www.alexandratheatre.org.uk |
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Sunday 7 October
2007 An eclectic mix of music, comedy, poetry and cabaret in the suburban oasis that is Kings Heath's acclaimed Kitchen Garden Cafe - an organic cafe/ restaurant/ garden centre/ arts venue. Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17 York Rd, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA. Tel: 0121 443 4725. £5.50-£3.50. 7pm. www.kitchengardencafe.co.uk |
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CANCELLED
Sunday 7 October
2007 - Hare of the Dog Gong |
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Sunday 7 October
A bumper night of top laughs featuring four top comedians, including Andre Vincent, fresh from his critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe show with Phill Jupitus ... and don't worry, Mrs Barbara Nice (aka Janice Connolly from TV's Phoenix Nights, Coronation Street and That Peter Kay Thing) will still be hosting! Nightingale Club, Kent St, Birmingham B5 6RD. Tel: 0121 622 1718. £6. 7pm. www.nightingaleclub.co.uk |
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Tuesday 9 October
2007 to Wednesday 10 October 2007 Mike Leigh's ruthless, achingly funny examination of suburban life, complete with neighbours, wine and 'nibbles'. A true modern classic, and as pertinent today as when Alison Steadman premiered it in 1977. Suitable age 14+ Solihull Arts Complex, Touchwood, Homer Rd, Solihull B91 3RG. Tel: 0121 704 6962. £12-£13. 7.30pm. www.solihull.gov.uk/arts |
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Tuesday 9 October
2007 One of Britain's
foremost topical funny men, Andy is a lynchpin of BBC 2's Mock The
Week and London's infamous Comedy Store Cutting Edge team, plus
one half of the beloved radio double act Parsons And Naylor. The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Birmingham B5 4TD. Tel: 0870 241 5093. £10-£12. 7.30pm. www.glee.co.uk |
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Tuesday 9 October
2007 Learn to laugh - learn to heal yourself. Happy Laughter is a physical act which can be learned. Faking laughter to begin with reminds the body what to do when real laughter emerges. Laughter creates many positive physical and emotional changes in your body including a feeling of well-being, a stronger immune system, lowered stress levels and healthier heart and lungs through increased blood flow. Body And Being, Canal Square, Browning St, Birmingham B16 8EH. Tel: 0870 850 1895. £12. 6pm. www.lifefitltd.com |
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Tuesday 9 October
2007 A friendly pub-based
club running under a cleaner, less offensive ethos, The Laughing
Sole presents the return of famed Birmingham comedian Shazia Mirza.
Since her appearance in an open mic night at the 2001 Birmingham
Comedy Festival, Shazia has earned herself an international reputation.
The British Oak, 1364, Pershore Rd, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2XS. Tel: 0121 458 1758. £5. 7pm. www.thelaughingsole.org.uk |
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Tuesday 9 October
2007 A fully trained
classical actress, Knight opted to follow a path into stand-up comedy
and has since scooped the Time Out Best Female Comic award and,
as a writer and actress, worked with such names as Jo Brand, David
Baddiel and Des O'Connor. Her solo shows include I Might Be Single
But The Voices In My Head Keep Me Company and Some Of My Best Friends
Are Ginger. The Station Pub, 7 High St, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7BB. Tel: 0121 444 1257. £5/£4. 8pm. www.cheekycomedy.co.uk |
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Tuesday 9 October
2007 Think you know your comedy, eh? Confident you know your Simon Pegg from your Simon Amstell? Your Partridge from your Peep Show? Well, how's about putting your money where your mouth is? Praise be, because there's finally a place where you can show off your comedy knowledge, as part of the BRMB Birmingham Comedy Festival's prize-winning quiz! Covering everything from films and sitcoms to stand up comedians, expect both cash prizes and naff prizes. Atticus Bar, 113-114 Three Shires Oak Rd, Bearwood, Smethwick B67 5JG. Tel: 0121 429 9423. Free. 8pm. www.myspace.com/atticusbar |
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Wednesday 10
October 2007 Championed by Stewart Lee, Phill Jupitus and a hoard of contemporary comics, Ted returns from self-imposed retirement to present his unique brand of stand-up. Welcome back a post-punk West Midlands cult comedy legend! Atticus Bar, 113-114 Three Shires Oak Rd, Bearwood, Smethwick B67 5JG. Tel: 0121 429 9423. £5. 7.30pm. www.myspace.com/atticusbar |
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Wednesday 10
October 2007 Award winning
ivory-tinkling comedy brilliantness from Aussie comedian, musician
and international mega-f**king rockstar Tim Minchin. Since bagging
the Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
in 2005 Tim has continued to ravage sell-out crowds with his fast-fingered,
charmingly dark and acidic humour. The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Birmingham B5 4TD. Tel: 0870 241 5093. £10-£13. 7.30pm. www.glee.co.uk |
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Wednesday 10
October 2007 A mixture of ethnic comedians in the first regular night of its kind in the region. Tonight's line up features Haqi Ali, Annette Fagon and Ashley Frieze plus compere Dharmander Singh, as featured on BBC1 and BBC Asian Network. The Newt, 58 Stephenson St, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 643 2969. £4. 8.45pm. comedydhar.libsyn.com |
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Wednesday 10
October 2007 Comedy Up The Cross' regular fortnightly comedy night presents a top bill of A-list comedy headlined by the fantastic Roger Monkhouse. A veteran of the UK comedy circuit, the manic motormouth has earned himself a deserved reputation as a razor-sharp stand-up. Years of experience mean any audience is in safe hands with Monkhouse, a first-class comic of the highest order. The Cross Café Bar, 147 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JP. Tel: 0121 449 6300. £5. 7.30pm. www.hear-me-out.co.uk |
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Thursday 11
October 2007 A night of OTT non-PC comedy and music hosted by rising stars of the Birmingham comedy scene, Bullett And Gunn and featuring the always unpredictable and utterly hilarious Ian Cognito. Adam And Eve, Bradford St, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0JD. Tel: 0121 6931500. £4-£3. 8.30pm. www.theadam.co.uk |
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Thursday 11
to Saturday 13 October 2007 Another fine and dandy line-up of excellent stand up talent. Sarcastic comic Welcome has been known to throw the odd card trick into his act, while Richardson has been making a name for himself on his pal Russell Howard's BBC6 Music show. The follicly-challenged Thorne is always a hit with his easy banter, while laid-back Canadian Glenn Wool is a hidden gem of the circuit and never shy of delving into the surreal. The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Birmingham B5 4TD. Tel: 0870 241 5093. £6-£17. 7.30pm. www.glee.co.uk |
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Thursday 11
October to Saturday 13 October Jongleurs have once again put together an impressive line up for comedy fans with many different tastes. Recently seen on Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive, Walker is a consummate professional, while Smug has the natural charm any good stand-up needs to get an audience going. Brash Aussie Jim Jeffries is a lightning rod for controversy (recently getting punched in the face by an over-zealous punter), and Simpson has an irresistible style that's made him a favourite in comedy clubs across the UK. Jongleurs, Quayside Tower, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2HF. Tel: 0870 7870707. £9-£17. 7.30pm. www.jongleurs.co.uk |
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Thursday 11
October 2007 Featuring Ryan Gough, MC Sheila M and more. A fantastic comedy night in a fabulous Thai restaurant and bar. Special discounts available for people who wish to dine while enjoying the entertainment! Open spots available by calling 07966 648156. A night not to be missed! The Place2B, Chester Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5BD. Tel: 0121 354 8228. £4. 8pm. www.theplace2buk.com |
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Thursday 11
October 2007 An official
Channel 4 survey in March named Stewart (Fist Of Fun, Jerry Springer
- The Opera) the 41st best stand-up ever. If you only see fifty
stand-ups in your lifetime, make him your 41st. A welcome and all
too rare return of a West Mids comedy king. The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Birmingham B5 4TD. Tel: 0870 241 5093. £10-£15. 7.30pm. www.glee.co.uk |
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Thursday 11
October 2007 For 16 years, Brendon Burns has stormed audiences the world over. The former host of The Eleven O'Clock Show and proud creator of the world's most gratuitous joke, Brendon (who has been compared to such legends as Lenny Bruce and Bill Hicks) uses his confrontational style comedy to capture his audience with a proverbial slap in the face. Hard-hitting comedy from the 2007 If.Comedy winner. The Comedy Junction, The Station Pub, Station St, Sutton Coldfield B73 6AT. Tel: 0121 350 4945. £10. 8pm. www.comedyjunction.co.uk [Sold out, returns only] |
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11 October 2007 The Hollybush Real Ale House Open Mic Night The Hollybush Real Ale House in Cradley Heath is hosting an open mic night during the festival. The twice monthly Black Country night will be opening its doors with compere Dave Dinsdale ("Quinton's finest") introducing up to ten brand new acts. Hollybush Real Ale House, Newtown Lane, Cradley Heath B64 5EA. Tel: 07949 594484. Free. 8.30pm. |
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Friday 12 October
2007 A whole host of Midlands acts including Paul Jennings, Dean Garbett, Dan Smith plus more to be announced. A night of comedy in the Birmingham pub where it all started. We've had the likes of Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin in the past, so let's see who comes to town tonight! The Bartons Arms, 144 High St, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UP. Tel: 0121 3335988. £5. 7.30pm. www.bartons-arms.co.uk |
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Friday 12 October
2007 A once in a lifetime opportunity for a new comic to tread the boards on stage at one of the UK's biggest comedy nights. Bid high, win the auction and get your five minutes of fame on the Glee stage. You, a mic and one of the most comedy hungry crowds in the UK...it's a life and death situation, literally. Bidding open to everyone - comedians, the public…everyone! Winner will get their moment immortalised by a top class snapper. C'mon, let's be having you! All proceeds of auction to charity. The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Birmingham B5 4TD. Tel: 0870 241 5093. £13.50-£6.50. 7.45pm. www.glee.co.uk |
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CANCELLED
Friday 12 October 2007 |
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Friday 12 to
Sunday 14 October 2007 Outside every thin woman there's a fat man waiting to get in.... Doug needs to lose weight, Cindy needs to gain weight and they both want perfect partners (ie not each other). But Cindy has a plan - unfortunately for Doug, it's not a piece of cake. A comedy about dating, dieting and the terrible choice between sex and chocolate, starring Kaz Luckins and Phil Rea and written by David Wake. mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham B12 9QH. Tel: 0121 440 3838. £8-£6. Fri/Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm. www.davidwake.com |
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Friday 12 October
2007 The world is
ending. And it's happening at table nine... A man and a woman are
on the most awkward dinner date of their lives. He is an academic
whose research into modern day neuroses is threatening his sanity;
she is an events manager who's terrified of missing the party. Caught
in the middle is their mortified waiter, haunted by visions of global
catastrophe. Inspired by T.S. Eliot's poem of the same name, Hysteria
is a play about panic, the apocalypse and table manners. mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham B12 9QH. Tel: 0121 440 3838. £10.50-£7.50. 8pm. www.macarts.co.uk |
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Friday 12 October
2007 Have you reached that certain age? Has cool and collected become hot and bothered? Do you make a funny grunting noise when you get out of a chair? How did it happen? One day you had a twinkle in your eye, the next you can’t find your bifocals ... how did you get so ... old? Well don’t worry, you’re not the only walkman in an iPod world, we’re on your side and we’ve got three highly trained G.O.W ready to embark on another nationwide complain-a–thon. With Denise Black (Coronation Street, Bad Girls), Britt Ekland (Get Carter, 007, The Wicker Man) and Dillie Keane (Fascinating Aida). Alexandra Theatre, Station St, Birmingham B5 4DS. Tel: 0870 607 7533. £23. 8pm. www.grumpyoldwomenlive.com |
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Saturday 13
October 2007 From BBC Radio
4's The Now Show and Crimes Against Music, one of the UK's finest
musical comedians and satirists is back on tour with his band. mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham B12 9QH. Tel: 0121 440 3838. £10.50-£7.50. 8pm www.macarts.co.uk |
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Sunday 14 October
2007 A night of totally off-the-cuff improvised comedy featuring five top acts, pulling pure comedy out of the ether without the aid of a safety script. Anything could happen! Almost. Not for those who like their comedy predictable … Among those attempting feats of comedic magic will be Andy White, Andy Robinson, James Cook and If.Comedy 2007 nominee Ivan Brackenbury. The Comedy Junction, The Station Pub, Station St, Sutton Coldfield B73 6AT. Tel: 0121 350 4945. £7. 8pm. www.comedyjunction.co.uk |
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Sunday 14 October
2007 Star of BBC's
The Late Edition, The Now Show, Jack Dee's Live From The Apollo,
Marcus Brigstocke's Trophy People and ITV's News Knight. A Time
Out Comedy Award Winner, acclaimed writer and stand-up Marcus has
emerged as a major comedy talent, performing to thrilled, sell-out
audiences across the country. The Glee Club. The Arcadian, Birmingham B5 4TD. Tel: 0870 241 5093. £14-£10. 7pm. www.glee.co.uk |
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Monday 15 October
2007 The Irish comedian turned actor, writer and broadcaster officially closes the festival. A long overdue return to the comedy circuit by one of the best stand-ups of his generation, Hughes - recently spotted as a guest in Coronation Street - has retained his distinctly dark, explosive style. Alexandra Theatre, Station St, Birmingham B5 4DS. Tel: 0870 607 7546. £16. 8pm. www.alexandratheatre.org.uk |
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The comedy festival acknowledges the support of lead sponsor BRMB and also the support of What's On magazine.
Addtional support: Powder Blue (web hosting), Callprint. |
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