Glasgow is currently bursting at the seams with some of the world’s funniest people as the city prepares for the latest instalment of the 25-day Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
By Robert Carry
Scotland’s biggest city has been playing host to a comedy festival every year since 2003. However, rapid growth in popularity over recent years has seen the event develop into the biggest and most highly regarded festival on Europe’s comedy circuit.
The action kicks off from tomorrow (17 March) and runs until 10 April. The marathon 25-day event will see some 400 shows taking place across 50 events around the city – and some 115,000 tickets are currently being snapped up.
The line-up reads like a who’s who of international comedy and as is to be expected, it will be packed with more Paddies than the Chetlenham winners enclosure. Ed Byrne, Elaine Malcolmson, Frank Carson, Jeff O’Boyle, Keith Farnan, Martin Mor, Michael Redmond, Michael Smiley and wannabe Des Bishop are all set to attend.
Other internationals include US comedians Caroline Rhea, Costaki Economopoulos, Danny Bevins, Danny Lobell, Doug Stanhope, Jena Friedman, Jim David Australian Pam Ann (pictured above), Canadian Craig Campbell and something as rare as a Mensa member from Kerry – a German comedian in the form of Henning When.
The event will also witness a heavier UK presence than the scene of an Afghan war crime with Stephen K Amos, Andy Parsons, Charlie Ross, Greg Davies, Jenny Eclair, John Bishop and Phil Kay taking to the stage.
The good people at VisitScotland have decided to bring a member of the JOE team over to sample some of the shows along with what else the city has to offer this weekend, so expect to be slapped with a gloat-heavy review next week.
If in the meantime, however, you fancy making your way to the land of the Old Firm for the event, here’s where to go:
Click here or here for more information on the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival, here for accommodation options and here for info on other events being run by our favourite neighbours throughout 2011.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
