Five years of laughs

Teesdale’s Funny Way To Be Comedy Club is celebrating five years of hit shows in Barnard Castle with the return of Jason Cook, who headlined the first ever show in 2010.

On Saturday 23 May, Jason hosts a barnstorming line-up at The Witham arts centre as part of the 2015 Barnard Castle Meet celebrations.

Jason, creator and star of the BBC Two sitcom Hebburn, introduces a host of top comedy names, including former BBC New Comedy Award finalists Brennan Reece and Jonny Pelham, as well as headliner Ivo Graham.

At just twenty-three years old, Ivo’s gauche charm belies a talent rarely seen in someone so young. The Eton alumnus combines insightful stories of adolescence and fellow students with a sharp witted presence that has rapidly gained him the acclaim of his audience, fellow artists and the critics alike.

Peter Dixon, of organisers Funny Way To Be Comedy Club, said: “The Barnard Castle Meet Comedy Night on Whit Saturday has become a regular part of our calendar.

“This year we have handpicked four top comic to get us into the festival spirit.

“Jason Cook is a firm favourite in Barnard Castle and added to rising star Ivo Graham it’s a top quality show for that fun weekend.

“We are delighted to Jason Cook is able to join us for what rounds off our fifth year producing comedy in Barnard Castle.

“Jason, who in 2010 was beginning to make a name for himself nationally, is returning after becoming a key figure on the national comedy scene, being recognised as one of the UK’s top MCs.”

In the last five years Funny Way To Be Comedy has produced 70 shows with a combined audience of over six thousand.

It has brought a host of household names like Russell Howard, Mark Watson, Russell Kane, Jenny Eclair, Phil Cool and Chris Ramsey to Barnard Castle, putting the small market town firmly on the comedy map and making it a destination of choice for the UK’s top comics.

Tickets for the show are on sale now from funnywaytobe.com.