Big names confirmed for Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival
The final line-up for a major weekend comedy festival has been announced.
A number of big name comedians such as Greg Davies, Joe Lycett and Tom Wrigglesworth will be joined by local and national comedy acts for the Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival later this summer.
The festival is being held at a number of venues across the town on the weekend of July 21 to 23 and has attracted some of the most famous faces in comedy.
Along with Davies, who grew up in Wem, Birmingham-born Lycett – who has appeared on Live at the Apollo and Eight Out of 10 Cats – and stand-up comedian Wrigglesworth, who also stars in hit Radio 4 show Tom Wrigglesworth’s Hang Ups, and 13 other local and national comedians will be taking to the stage.
These include Adam Rowe, Grenn Wool, Pippa Evans, Matt Richardson, Phil Nichol and Abandoman.
Tickets, which are available from Theatre Severn box office on 01743 281281 or by going to www.theatresevern.co.uk, cost £5 per gig.
The festival will round off with a sell-out three hour long Gala at Theatre Severn hosted by Davies, known for his performances in The Inbetweeners, Cuckoo and his guest appearances in Mock the Week and Would I Lie to You?
It is timed to provide top circuit acts with opportunities for last minute previews for their Edinburgh Fringe Festival shows, and will contain 15 hour-long performances in four town centre venues over the three days.
The festival is the brainchild of Kevin Bland and Beth McGowan. Kevin is a former stand-up comedian who has promoted comedy in Shropshire and beyond for over a decade. Beth holds nearly 20 years' experience in sound production and event management.
Kevin said "This is something Beth and I have talked about for a while, but we couldn't have got it off the ground without the enthusiasm and support of the venues. Securing someone of Greg Davies’ calibre for our inaugural event is fantastic.
"Shrewsbury has a great tradition of hosting festivals. We have one for everything, from beer to flowers, food to comics and street theatre to folk music, so it’s about time for some comedy too."
The venues hosting the comedy acts are The Old Post Office, High Street; Theatre Severn; St Nicholas Cafe Bar, Castle Street and The Old Market Hall in the Square.
