Wells Comedy Festival 2016: the smallest city in England hosts a big weekend of stand-up

First names announced – including Stewart Lee, Sara Pascoe, Arthur Smith, Bridget Christie and Robin Ince – for Somerset’s annual weekend-long stand-up shindig

After last year’s hugely successful inaugural celebration, the Wells Comedy Festival is back, bigger and better, for 2016.

Over the weekend of 3-5 June more than 20 comedians are making the trip to England’s smallest city to play this ‘weekend-long stand-up jamboree’ ().

Comics performing at the three-day fest include a very special guest who can’t be named here, Bafta-winning BBC star Stewart Lee, panel show regular Sara Pascoe, legendary grump Arthur Smith, ‘Infinite Monkey Cage’ co-host Robin Ince and Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award-winners Bridget Christie and Sam Simmons.

That’s not all. Also announced so far are shows from Radio 4 star Robert Newman, Canadian madman Tony Law, physical comedy loon Spencer Jones, silly stand-up Pat Cahill and the Comedians Cinema Club performing the Wells-shot cop comedy movie ‘Hot Fuzz’, live.

Ben Williams, WCF founder and producer, said ‘I couldn’t be more chuffed with the line-up for the second annual Wells Comedy Festival. I’m delighted that many of my comedy heroes are heading to Wells, and there are lots more shows to be announced.’

On Friday 3 June Arthur Smith hosts the WCF Opening Gala. Then on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June there are solo shows throughout the afternoon and evening, at two venues.

Tickets for the Wells Comedy Festival are on sale now from www.wellscomfest.com.

Full details

Wells Comedy Festival Dates: Friday 3 to Sunday 5 June 2016 Tickets: from £5 Website: www.wellscomfest.com Direct ticket link: www.ticketsource.co.uk/wellscomfest

Full show listings

Opening Gala with Arthur Smith, Robin Ince, Sam Simmons and more Friday 3 June, 8pm, Little Theatre, £15

Robin Ince is Curious Saturday 4 June, 1.30pm, Little Theatre, £8

Sam Simmons: Not a People Person Saturday 4 June, 1.30pm, Globe Inn, £7

Robert Newman: The Brain Show Saturday 4 June, 3.30pm, Little Theatre, £10

Bridget Christie: Mortal – Work-in-Progress Saturday 4 June, 3.30pm, Globe Inn, £8

Arthur Smith: Mindlessness – A Beginner’s Guide Saturday 4 June, 5.30pm, Little Theatre, £6

Stewart Lee: Content Provider Saturday 4 June, 5.30pm, Globe Inn, £8

Special Guest Saturday 4 June, 7.30pm and 9.30pm, Little Theatre, £22

Spencer Jones Presents Herbert’s Eggy Bagel: A Work-in-Progress Saturday 4 June, 9.30pm, Globe Inn, £5

Sara Pascoe: Animal Sunday 5 June, 1.30pm, Little Theatre, £9

Pat Cahill: D.O.T.T Sunday 5 June, 5.30pm, Globe Inn, £5

Tony Law Sunday 5 June, 7.30pm, Little Theatre, £8

Comedians Cinema Club: Hot Fuzz Sunday 5 June, 9.30pm, Globe Inn, £8

Official media partner

Wells Journal. www.wellsjournal.co.uk

Wells Comedy Festival is produced by the Long Paws Comedy Club More info about the Long Paws Comedy Club

Deemed ‘Somerset’s sharpest comedy club’ by the Sunday Times, the Long Paws Comedy Club was established in 2005, and has been hosting shows at the Wells Little Theatre ever since. Over the last decade dozens of comedians have played the club, including Tim Minchin, , Simon Pegg, Al Murray the Pub Landlord, Jon Richardson, , Greg Davies, Milton Jones and Sara Pascoe. www.longpawscomedy.co.uk

Hi-res pictures and logo available from https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dw5wqh8vllqvh9t/AACkuL8Ul595QsYfHAt00pg5 a

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