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A brief history of Birmingham's comedy festival... Birmingham is the home of a vibrant yet largely unsung comedy scene. The comedy festival was suggested as the best way to raise the profile of comedy within the city and surrounding regions. Promoters, comedians and organisations were contacted, and the response was positive, and plans for a brand new arts festival got under way. Not limited by stand-up comedy, from the outset, the festival strove to challenge and inspire, opening the programming up to include films, theatre, workshops, new talent nights, club nights, classical music, dance, book readings, visual arts, events for children and performance. The festival was founded by Dave Freak with original partners including The GAG Club's Rich Batsford, Janice Connolly (aka Barbara Nice), Glee Club, ComedyKav's James Cook, John Simmit and UpFront, Simon from That's The Badger! and mac. The festival works directly with venues, promoters and other organisations and individuals to achieve its goals. The festival is volunteer-led and not for profit. It does not receive any arts funding. 2001
With a programme of over 40 events, the first festival was far bigger than anyone imagined, with blanket media coverage and sell-out performances. Highlights included: Out In The Open, a brand new play written by Jonathan Harvey (Gimme Gimme Gimme, Beautiful Thing) and directed by Kathy Burke (Nil By Mouth, Kevin & Perry) at Birmingham Rep; Guardian columnist and broadcaster Jon Ronson; an unannounced appearance by Peter Kaye at Barbara Nice's Comedy Playgorund; author and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig; classic Ealing comedy Kind Hearts & Coronets; Dominic Holland; Will Smith; Reginald D Hunter; Natalie Haynes; James Cook; a look at the comedy of Frankie Howerd & Tommy Cooper from a Buddhist perspective; classical music from Blazing Saddles; Sean Lock and Supergirly. 2002 Due to the success of 2001's festival, the event was moved from the spring to autumn. Highlights included: The Fast Show Live at the NIA for a series of sell-out nights; the official return of Peter Kaye; three new productions at Birmingham Rep - Dealer's Choice by Patrick Marber, Kevin Elyot's award-winning My Night With Reg, and Ryman And The Sheikh; Ealing Studios 100th Anniversary Tour; Daniel Kitson; Matt Holness; a whole day dedicated to Bham-born genuis Tony Hancock; a video installation by internationally respected artist Mike Marshall at the Ikon Gallery; Ross Noble; The Funjabis; Ed Byrne; Mum's The World starring Coronation Street's Beverley Callard and Casualty's Julia Warson; Dr Phil Hammond; Hattie Hayridge, celebrating the Gag Club's 10th birthday; The SideShowSociety; Barbara Nice's Screamers featuring Ida Barr; Jo Enright; Natalie Haynes; Dave Spikey; John Simmit; James Cook; The Andy Robinson Rhythm Method; and a day devoted to Laurel & Hardy. 2003 Highlights included: contemporary dance troupe New Art Club; Al Murray The Pub Landlord; Ken Campbell; Mitch Benn; sketches from Bread & Circuses; Alan Parker Urban Warrior; Dr Phil Hammond; An Audience With Mrs Barbara Nice; global dance sensation Stomp at the Hippodrome Theatre; Jimmy Carr; Alan Carr; Karen Bayley; Donna McPhail; James Cook and his Charity Crawl; '80s alternative comedy legend Alexei Sayle; Men In Coats; more classic and rarely seen Laurel & Hardy; Barry Cryer & Ronnie Golden; Danny Bhoy; Daniel Kitson; and Jim Davidson. 2004 Overwhelmed by the size of the festival, 2004's was slightly smaller in scale, but nonetheless included yet more sell-outs and a returning local hero... Highlights included: Dudley legend Lenny Henry with his challenging new show, So Much Things To Say; Marcus Brigstocke; Barbara Nice; Ken Campbell; Glenn Wool; new play Mandragora King Of India; an Edward Lear inspired production from Hoipolli; Sody Singh Kahlon's Sikhs In The City; Curtis Walker; Bead & Circuses; Laurel & Hardy; Ian Cognito; and Rhod Gilbert. 2005 Another huge festival featuring four nights at the NIA from Lee Evans Highlights included:Lee Evans; Patrick Kielty; Joe Pasquale; Tim Vine; The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players; Birmingham stand-up comedian and crime fiction writer Mark Billingham; folk singer Billy Mitchell; a signed comedy show at Jongleurs; improv from Dan Smith & Ryan Gough; cricketing japes from the stars of Test Match Special; a comedy quiz night; Craig Campbell; Mark Watson; Sheila M; Barbara Nice; Jo Enright; Jo Caulfield; an exclusive screening of comedy documentary It's Nice Up North by John Shuttleworth and Martin Parr; Phil Nicol; Natalie Haynes; Jefferson & Whitfield; and Ross Noble. 2006 2007 Refreshed, and back with a (comedy) blam! A stellar line-up of comedic talent including Jimmy Carr, Sean Hughes, Marcus Brigstocke, Andy Parsons, Josie Long, 2007 If.Comedy winner Brendon Burns, Felix Dexter and such returning local heroes as post-punk anti-comic Ted Chippington, Shazia Mirza and the mighty Stewart Lee. Plus the West Mids debut of Bad Film Club (presenting The Village People's disco musical, Can't Stop The Music), Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party and John Godber's Teechers, a workshop promoting the health benefit of laugher and contemporary art from Freee. For the full line-up details, see: 2007 Festival 2008 |
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