Glasgow hosts Europe’s largest comedy festival

The biggest comedy festival in Europe was unveiled today by television celebrities Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove at the City Chambers in Glasgow. Taking place from 8 – 24 March this year's Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival marks its fifth anniversary with a programme bursting with a stunning array of talent.

Established masters such as Paul Merton, Jimmy Carr, Cannon and Ball and Sean Hughes are just some of the names who will be joining established international superstar Joan Rivers and new sensations Russell Brand and Alan Carr in the festival's most expansive – and inclusive – programme yet.

The festival is now firmly established, after four successful years, not only as part of the global comedy calendar but as an early highlight of Glasgow's cultural year. The announcement of this year's line-up today confirms Glasgow as the largest comedy festival in Europe.

Announcing the launch of the 2006 programme, Linda Allan, from festival organisers the Scottish Comedy Agency, said: 'This year we have an incredible 288 shows in 40 venues throughout the city, surpassing last year's festival and once again providing a great range of talent from right across the comedy spectrum.'

This is the first year that Magners Irish Cider is the title sponsor of the festival. Joanne Hayden, GB Marketing Manager for Magners, said: 'Magners was introduced to Scotland in 2003, the same year that the Glasgow International Comedy Festival was launched. Both brands have grown to become leaders in their field. This new sponsorship provides us with a platform from which we can demonstrate our continued commitment behind the Scottish market and to recruiting new consumers.'

Scottish Comedy Agency Director Tommy Sheppard said: 'The festival has now grown to become a key event in Glasgow's cultural calendar and is fast on its way to becoming a local institution. But just as importantly the event is now well regarded by the entertainment industry and any comedian worth their salt is keen to get into the programme.'

A Truly International Event

Cementing the reputation of the festival as a truly international event, the First Lady of US Comedy Joan Rivers waltzes into town for one night only. The doyenne of the caustic one-liner is as sharp as ever, fresh from hosting The Joan Rivers Position on Channel 5. Other hot US acts include master of laconic satire Rich Hall and fearless Reg D. Hunter. Canadian comics are also on the bill, with appearances from the inimitable Phil Nichol and the coolly laidback Tom Stade.

The finest acts from the Southern Hemisphere are also flocking north, with Aussies Sarah Kendall, Jim Jeffries and Brendon Burns all performing solo shows.

As befits a festival that shares a celebration with St Patrick, Irish comedy is well represented. There's a rare chance to see Father Ted star Ardal O'Hanlon live at The Academy, a gently surreal autobiographical evening with Owen O'Neill at The Tron and a two- night stand from loveable mentalist Jason Byrne. Channel 4's King of Comedy Andrew Maxwell performs solo as well as hosting his anarchic late night cult Maxwell's Fullmooners and, to round it all off, special St Patrick's Day shows at The Stand Comedy Club and the Old Fruitmarket.

The sheer size and scope of this year's festival has been made possible by the huge success of the first four years, with top line talent now actively campaigning to be a key part of the program. The continued growth of the festival owes much to support from key partners Magners Irish Cider and Glasgow City Council, with additional support from media partners The Sunday Times, radio partner Radio Clyde, airline partner Continental Airlines, Citylink and several city hotels.

Local Heroes

The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival sets the stage for some spectacular homecomings from Glasgow's finest. Mock The Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats star Frankie Boyle, motor-mouthed Des Clarke, manic maniac Phil Kay and brilliant writer-broadcaster-raconteur Bruce Morton all top the bill of homegrown hilarity. Accomplished magician Jerry Sadowitz is in residence at The Tron Theatre, presenting Card Tricks and Close Up Magic, brand new for 2007, whilst Glasgow bestseller Janey Godley and the winningly camp Craig Hill both play The Garage.

The young at heart can also relive Glasgow's proud heritage of variety theatre with the return of The Gaieties in The Most Excellent Old Time Music Hall at The Ramshorn Theatre and Amateur Night at the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall. And no festival would be complete without the Queen of Scottish Comedy Karen Dunbar, bringing a host of her much-loved characters to the King's Theatre, a venue that also sees the live premiere of football's Odd Couple Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove in Off The Bawl. Stuart commented : 'The Glasgow comedy festival is making its mark on a very competitive comedy festival circuit and promises to be an event that competes with the best.'.

Councillor Alex Mosson, chairman of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau,
agrees: 'This year's programme is the most ambitious in the event's five year history. It features a host of household names performing in superb venues right across the city, reinforcing Glasgow's credentials as one of the UK's top centres for live entertainment.'

NEW FOR 2007 – FROM DAWN 'TIL DUSK

New this year and showcasing the best of the talent on show during the festival is a unique FREE event, MacAulay & Co at the CCA. Start the day with Fred MacAulay for the broadcast of BBC Radio Scotland's live flagship breakfast show every weekday during the festival. Those who can't make the broadcasts can catch up with the best of the fest at the end of the day at The Festival Club at The Stand Comedy Club on Fridays and Saturdays.

BBC Radio Scotland will also be hosting a free stand-up comedy workshop and a lively debate on women in comedy when its popular show Radio Café broadcasts live from the CCA. There's also a selection of free industry workshops hosted by Channel 4 and BBC Scotland offering guidance to those wishing to pursue a comedy career in television.

EVERYONE'S INVITED

This year, the festival features a host of events exclusively for kids (of all ages) with a new show from Scotland's most popular children's entertainers, The Singing Kettle, special children's shows from Phil Kay and Howard Read and an expanded film programme. There's also the chance to get out and about with the Family Friendly Comedy Coach Tour, a Sunday afternoon magical, musical, mystery tour through Glasgow's murky past.

Returning by popular demand is Glasgow Stands Up: On Your Doorstep, taking the talent to the community centres of Toryglen, Castlemilk, Easterhouse and Pollok in specially priced shows that will ensure no- one gets left out of the fun.

FROM BUSTER TO BORAT-BIG SCREEN COMEDY TREATS

New for 2007, The Grosvenor Cinema hosts a series of late night comedy classics, featuring everything from Dr Strangelove to Borat, via Withnail & I and Airplane. Alternatively, settle in at the GFT to indulge in the whole of John Byrne's masterful musical comedy drama Tutti Frutti in one sitting or Buster Keaton's silent masterpiece The General, complete with live musical accompaniment.

A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

This year the theatre programme has been significantly expanded to reflect Glasgow's standing as Europe's biggest comedy festival. From Hay Fever, a star studded production of a copper-bottomed classic by the Master himself, Noel Coward, to a contemporary Scottish classic - Stephen Greenhorn's Passing Places. Enjoy a wild night out with the girls at Hot Flush, a brand-new musical comedy starring Rula Lenska and Marti Webb at The King's. There's also a chance to have a taste of culture at lunchtime with The Oran Mor's hugely successful season, A Play, A Pie And A Pint and enjoy a spot of cutting political satire in Green MSP Chris Ballance's new play, It's My Party!

Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival – it's Glasgow's party and everyone's invited.

The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival runs from Thursday 8 March to Saturday 24 March 2007. From Monday 22 January 2007 please visit The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival website at glasgowcomedyfestival.com for the full event programme and all the latest festival news.