Craig Hill, Colin Hoult, Stephen Bailey, Alun Cochrane and Darren Connell will bring their acclaimed acts to the thriving festival, which is taking place across a multitude of city venues, bars and clubs from October 6 to October 16. The festival has been organised and promoted in its entirety by Aberdeen Inspired since 2016.

Scotland’s favourite kilted comedian Craig Hill is a firm favourite with festival audiences. Set to return during the closing weekend, Craig will perform his new touring show I Always Knew I Had it in Me! at the Tivoli Theatre on Saturday October 15.

Overjoyed to be returning to Aberdeen and in particular the Tivoli Theatre as part of the festival line up he said “I am really excited about the comedy festival and the Tivoli Theatre was an absolute joy. Comedy festivals introduce a city to the breadth of styles of comedy and that’s why they are great. It’s not just about going to see your favourite people from TV, you can also take a chance to go and see people you’ve never heard of. Just say ‘I don’t know who that is, but I’m going to go out and try that’. If I lived in Aberdeen I would take two weeks off and go see comedy every other night… because it is such a fun way to spend your evening.”

Star of the Ricky Gervais hit series, After Life screened on Netflix earlier this year, Colin Hoult will bring The Death of Anna Mann to audiences at Cheerz on Friday October 7. Anna Mann (aka Colin Hoult) tells the incredible story of her life in the arts in this, her final hour. Described as visceral, real and achingly brave, audiences are urged by Hoult “to come see this remarkable woman finally die” and he promises that audiences will leave screaming about how much they loved it!

Also taking to the stage at new festival venue Cheerz is Stephen Bailey with his show Sophisticated on Saturday October 8. Last seen supporting the wickedly funny Katherine Ryan at the Music Hall in October last year, Stephen Bailey was raised on a Manchester council estate. Recently he was told that he is not sophisticated - and he was wearing bronzer, his preview show unpacks his life as a queer, working-class man in a predominately straight, middle-class man's world onstage.

Comedy fans can also make a night of festival fun at the Park Inn on Friday October 14 where two shows are set to be staged. First up is accomplished stand up Alun Cochrane who has been seen on various TV comedy shows over the years, including Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 Out of 10 Cats. Labelled Stuff and Nonsense, Aberdeen is an early date on his Autumn tour schedule of both stand-up material (Stuff) and of his high quality on the spot frippery, impro, crowd work (Nonsense).

Alun has lots that he might discuss when he comes to Aberdeen including funerals, free speech, or feminism but specifically he told us “Aberdeen is so far from my house it’s almost an environmental crime to go there just to tell my jokes, but it would be a worse calamity to go there if hardly anyone shows up, so please do come and see it. I’m not going to plant a tree or anything, in fact I will highly likely make fun of eco protesters and perhaps even praise the burning of fossil fuels, if you can’t do that in Aberdeen where can you?”

Hot on the heels of Alun at the Park Inn will be the much loved Darren Connell who wants to Thank you for being my friend. Possibly best known for playing the role of Bobby in the television series Scot Squad, Darren is a veteran of the stand up comedy circuit with over 10 years experience. He’s had sell out shows at both the Glasgow comedy festival and the Edinburgh fringe and is delighted to be taking his first ever tour on the road. His comedy is dark, funny, and close to the bone, so definitely one for those who want to enjoy something a little different!

Tickets for all shows go on sale Thursday April 28 and are expected to be snapped up fast. Ticket prices (including booking fee), dates and performance times are:

Colin Hoult: The Death of Anna Mann, Cheerz, Friday 7 October, 7.00pm, £16.00

Stephen Bailey: Sophisticated, Cheerz, Saturday 8 October, £11.00

Craig Hill: I Always Knew I Had it in Me! Tivoli Theatre, Saturday 15 October, 7.30pm, £21.00

Alun Cochrane: Stuff and Nonsense, Park Inn, Friday 14 October, 7.30pm, £17.00

Darren Connell: Thank you for being my friend, Park Inn, Friday 14 October 2022, 8.50pm, £13.50

For more information and to buy tickets go to www.aberdeencomedyfestival.com

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