Stand-up fans are in for a treat as more than 50 comedians descend on the Granite City to perform during the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival.
Now in its fourth year, the festival, which is delivered by Aberdeen Inspired, will run at a multitude of city venues, bars and clubs over the course of 12 days from tomorrow (Thursday, October, 3) until Monday, October 14, 2019.
The opening night on Thursday (October, 3) will see nearly 2,000 people head into the city for a comedy gig. Ben Elton will kick off proceedings at the Music Hall as he makes his return to stand-up after 15 years, while Janey Godley will be in action at the Tivoli Theatre and Fern Brady will bring the laughs at the Lemon Tree.
From the ridiculous to the nostalgic and everything in-between, the festival line-up has something for all tastes and features Daniel Sloss, Sofie Hagen, Craig Hill, Jimeoin, Sindhu Vee, Hal Cruttenden, Ashley Storrie, Abandoman, Catherine Bohart, Paul Sinha and Desiree Burch among many others.
Along with established acts, the festival has also secured exciting new talent fresh from the Fringe, with 2018 Best Newcomer nominee and Amused Moose National New Comic 2018 winner Maisie Adam making her Aberdeen debut, and Jordan Brookes, who scooped the prestigious Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Comedy Show at the Fringe.
This year the festival has been extended by one day with late addition to the programme of the hugely popular Scottish stand-up farmer turned comedian Jim Smith who will now close the festival at the Music Hall on Monday, October, 14.
One of the fastest selling shows to date there are just a handful of tickets left for ‘Back to The Teuchter’ Jim’s third solo show and his biggest Scottish tour date yet. Described as ‘Countryfile’ meets ‘The Only Way Is Essex’, Jim will hit the stage using characters, regional accents and impressions to help explain to city slickers what the outside world looks like through the eyes of those that 'bide up the glen'. Hot topics include internet dating for farmers, village nightlife and how to pimp your Land Rover. Suitable for both country bumpkins and dead trendy city folk.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “From when it first launched in 2016, the festival was truly embraced by the public, and it has been our ambition to make it the biggest and best celebration of comedy the North-east has ever seen.
“This year’s festival is drawing in acts from across the world and with big names like Ben Elton, ‘Irish Australian’ Jimeoin and New Yorker Desiree Burch, the line-up is truly international and positions Aberdeen as a must visit destination for comedy. As 12 days of stand-up gets underway this week and a number of sold-out shows already, it’s time to get out and soak up the atmosphere and everything the city has to offer.”
Organisers Aberdeen Inspired are encouraging comedy goers to support local throughout the festival period and enjoy the buzz in the centre at great pubs, restaurants, hotels, and shops, with some great deals on offer.
Organised and promoted in its entirety by Aberdeen Inspired since 2016, the festival also receives generous support from The McGinty’s Group Scotland and Balmoral Group. This year the festival has also partnered with local charity Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA).
For more information and to buy tickets for the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival go to www.aberdeencomedyfestival.com
Sindhu Vee