When council funding was withdrawn for the annual Southport Comedy Festival in 2011, local comedian Brendan Riley stepped in. Brendan was determined that a popular event which benefitted the community by bringing fun and laughter to the resort should continue, particularly at a time of cutbacks and austerity.

After 9 months of planning, sweat and tears (of laughter!) Brendan had pulled off a comedy festival that Southport could be proud of.

Now the people’s Southport Comedy Festival is back. Local business sponsors are working with Brendan to provide ten days of laughter based around venues across this classic seaside town.

The festival kicks off on the 18th October in the town’s Wayfarers Arcade, a stunning Victorian shopping plaza, with a comedy cook-off. A children's cartoon event with renowned local cartoonist Paul Hardman will be held at Wayfarers Arcade on Sunday 21stas part of the Children’s Comedy Festival.

Kids again have been catered for with their own Family Laughter Party at Giggles Gym Birkdale, this will be held on Saturday 27th October and will be raisng funds for children’s charity Stick ‘N’ Step.

The festival continues with shows taking place every evening in the town’s range of intimate comedy venues showcasing comedy talent from across the globe. Festival highlights include the revamped ‘End of the Pier’shows; the landmark Southport pier hosts two of the quirkiest comedy shows of the festival. The fun begins on the ride out to the end of the pier as the audience board the famous pier tram. These are shows not to be missed!

The major hotel in the resort, the Ramada Plaza, is hosting three headline shows as part of their Comedy Festival Specials. Featuring TV stars Jo Caulfield, Tom Stade and the born again Roy Walker, to name but three, these shows will guarantee laughs but this time close-up and personal.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Southport Comedy Festival New Comedian of the Year competition is running alongside the festival to find the talent that will keep Southport smiling for many years to come.

For further information please contact Brendan Riley, Festival Director.

Mob 07770 591625
brenriley@blueyonder.co.uk
www.southportcomedyfestival.com