Sunderland Comedy Festival 2013: the full programme revealed
The events company Sunderland Live have officially announced Sunderland Comedy Festival’s full programme, which runs 29 June until 7 July.
Hebburn duo Jason Cook and Steffen Peddie, Paul Foot, Patrick Monahan, Sara Pascoe and Carl Donnelly are some of the names touching down on Wearside next month, with 33 shows scheduled over ten venues.
A double header featuring Viz creator Simon Donald and Dave’s One Night Stand’s Seymour Mace, and MCed by Show Me The Funny winner Monahan, is the festival’s first major show on Sunday 30 June.
Sully O’Sullivan and Ian Cognito share a bill the next night at The Queen Vic, Roker.
On Tuesday 2 July, The Burlesque Comedy Project is at Serendipity Tea and Trinkets, featuring ‘Lollie Larouge, Lady Jasmine, Betty Bang, Miss Twilight Sparkles, Fifi Galore, and comedy from Nana Chic, Nick Banks, Catherine Scott, and host Andrea Whitaker.’
Carl Donnelly presents a preview of his new show, Different Gravy, on Wednesday 3 July, alongside Patrick Monahan.
Last year’s Edinburgh Fringe sensation, Luisa Omielan, teams up with Martin Mor on Thursday 4 July for more Edinburgh preview shows.
One of the comedy world’s true eccentrics, Paul Foot pays his first visit to bonny Sunderland with an appearance at Independent on Friday 5 July.
On Saturday 6 July, Sara Pascoe vs The Truth is the main attraction, with her show taking place at The Marriott Hotel in Seaburn.
While BBC Two’s Hebburn creator Jason Cook, and fellow sitcom actor Steffen Peddie, bring the festivities to a close on 7 July with a show at The Point. Support for that show comes from Andy Fury.
However, as Giggle Beats revealed back in January, 25 out of the 33 gigs are free shows from local and amateur comics.
Of the free shows, Pretty on the Inside – the three hander from Lee Kyle, Si Buglass and Jonny Pelham – is our pick (Saturday 29 June, Infinity Bar, 2-3pm), while our vote for ‘most interesting/foolish title’ goes to Hull 5 Sunderland 0, a package show from five comedians…from Hull (Tuesday 2 July, The Place Café, 3-5pm).
Chris Alexander, Chief Operating Officer for Sunderland Live, said: “Sunderland Comedy Festival is a fantastic new event, and a brilliant opportunity to expand the city’s cultural horizons.
“With such a wide variety of shows and performers on offer, there truly will be something for everyone to get involved with. Everyone loves to have a laugh, and we’re proud to be able to bring such great comedy names to our city.
“We hope that this festival will not only bring a smile to the people of Sunderland, but also attract comedy fans from outside the city, and continue to shine a light on the outstanding culture and events we enjoy here.”
Sunderland Live was formed in April 2013 as a spin-out from Sunderland City Council, and is the company behind Sunderland International Airshow and the Stadium of Light’s concerts programme.
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Saturday 29 June
Paul Savage: Cheerful Shambles
Arizona Bar, Holmeside
12:30 – 13:30
FREE
Lee Kyle, Si Buglass and Jonny Pelham: Pretty on the Inside
Infinity Bar, 1-2 John St
14:00 – 15:00
FREE
Tony Basnett’s Bucket List
Arizona Bar, Holmeside
14:30 – 15:30
FREE
Sir Reginald Tweedy-Duffer’s Youth Jamboree
Arizona Bar, Holmeside
16:30 – 17:30
FREE
Sunday 30 June
Ryan McDonnell
Serendipity, Fredrick Street
12:30 – 13:30
FREE
Heavy Petting
Infinity Bar, 1-2 John St
12:00 – 13:00
FREE
The Howling Monkeys
Infinity Bar, 1-2 John St
14:00 – 15:00
FREE
Bruce Dingerdik’s Top End Tour
Serendipity, Frederick Street
14:30 – 15:30
FREE
Simon Donald/Seymour Mace Double Headliner, with MC Patrick Monahan
The Place Cafe, Athenium Street
19:00 – 23:45
Tickets: £10/£8 Concessions (Available from The Place and We Got Tickets)
Monday 1 July
We are The Brethren of Levity
The Place Cafe, Athenium Street
15:00 – 17:00
Immersive character comedy.
FREE
Sully O Sullivan/Ian Cognito
The Queen Victoria Hotel, Roker
19:00 – 23:45
Tickets: £10/£8 Concessions. (Available from The Queen Victoria Hotel and We Got Tickets.)
Tuesday 2 July
Hull 5 Sunderland 0
The Place Cafe, Athenium Street
15:00 – 17:00
FREE
The Burlesque Comedy Project
Serendipity, Frederick Street
19:00 – 23:00
Tickets: £5. (Available from Serendipity and We Got Tickets.)
Stephen ‘Friz’ Frizzle: Plinky Plonker
Infinity Bar, 1-2 John Street
20:30 – 21:30
FREE
Wednesday 3 July
Cranked Anvil Presents: A Sketch Show
The Place Cafe, Athenium Street
15:00 – 17:00
FREE
Carl Donnelly/Patrick Monahan
The Quayside Exchange, High Street East
19:00 – 23:45
Tickets: £10/£8 Concessions. (Available from The Quayside Exchange and We Got Tickets.)
Thursday 4 July
Cranked Anvil Presents: A Sketch Show
The Place Cafe, Athenium Street
15:00 – 17:00
FREE
Martin Mor/Luisa Omielan
Infinity Bar, 1-2 John Street
19:00 – 23:45
Tickets: £10/£8 Concessions. (Available from Infinity Bar and We Got Tickets.)
Friday 5 July
Daphna ‘Miss D’ Baram: Killing Miss D
Plugged Inn, Holmeside
17:30-18: 30
FREE
Paul Foot
Independent, Holmeside
19:00-23:00
Tickets: £10/£8 Concessions. (Available from Independent and We Got Tickets.)
Saturday 6 July
Andy D Chambers, Sammy ‘Tinkerbell’ Dobson, Danny Doyle
Serendipity, Frederick Street
12:30 – 13:30
FREE SHOW
Daphna ‘Miss D’ Baram: Killing Miss D
Serendipity, Frederick Street
14:30 – 15:30
FREE
Andy D Chambers, Sammy ‘Tinkerbell’ Dobson, Danny Doyle
Infinity Bar, John Street
16:30 – 17:30
FREE SHOW
Sara Pascoe Vs The Truth
Marriot Hotel, Seaburn
19:00 – 23:45
Tickets: £10/£8 Concessions. (Available from We Got Tickets.)
Sunday 7 July
Lolie Ware: Too Cool To Care
Infinity Bar, John Street
12:00 – 13:00
FREE
Stapleface
Serendipity, Fredrick Street
12:30 – 13:30
FREE
Fernando, Friz and Oakes
Arizona Bar, Holmeside
12:30 – 13:30
FREE
Paul Pirie: A Show About Life
Infinity, John Street
15:30 – 16:30
FREE
Jon Pearson
Infinity Bar, John Street
14:00 – 15:00
FREE
Al Mac’s Hate Bingo
Arizona Bar, Holmeside
14:30 – 15:30
FREE
Adam Rushton
Serendipity, Fredrick Street
14:30 – 15:30
FREE
Tim and Luke’s Wacky Antics American Tour
Arizona Bar, Holmeside
16:30 – 17:30
FREE
Jason Cook/Steffen Peddie
Union, The Point, Holmeside
18:30 – 23:45
Tickets: £10/£8 Concessions. (Available from We Got Tickets.)
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