20-28 October 2017

BoxBox Office:Office:01422 305 959 halifaxcomedyfestival.com WelcomeWelcomeComedy toto thetheHalifaxHalifax Festival 2017 Oh Frig I’m 50 For a third year running Richard Herring we are celebrating all Richard Herring things comedy in Halifax. Fri 20 Oct The nights are getting colder and darker host to some fab stand up from Shazia The Victoria Theatre, 8pm so what better time to lift our spirits with Mirza, Tony Burgess and Archie Kelly. some top class comedians and comedy Now an annual must see Festival gig Opening the Comedy Festival this year shows from across the UK! This year is the mischievous comedy devilment we have the “Podfather” () we’re starting with a short weekend Kids hosted by Halifax Minster, which this and star of Radio 4’s Relativity, Comedy Festival that includes The year sees Justin Moorhouse and Paul Richard Herring in his once-a-decade Show and Comedy Club 4 Kids. Tonkinson perform in one of Halifax’s examination of ageing. Following on most beautiful heritage buildings. from “Oh F***, I’m 40!” Richard has got The Halifax Comedy Festival is to a half century (against all odds) and welcoming some familiar faces with We’re making comedy more looks at how his life has changed in the prankster Lee Nelson and Britain’s Got affordable this year too, with a 3 last decade, from irresponsible, single Talent favourite Daliso Chaponda as shows for £30 bundle! Keep an eye kidult, literally fighting his way through a they stop by on their tours. For movie out for the ‘I’m in the Bundle’ button mid-life crisis, to married father who is fans, we have the campest cult classic on the show info pages. mid-way to the telegram from the Queen of all time and invite everyone; women, We’re excited for this year’s festival and (though given she will be 140 in 2067, men and gender fluid friends to don we hope you are too, so take a load off, she might forget to send it). your finest fishnets and join us for our have a brew, peruse this booklet, book screening of the Sing-a-long-a Rocky Tickets: £16.75 some laughs and we’ll see you there! Horror Picture Show. All the best A gloriously infantile delight There are also plenty of opportunities The Halifax Comedy in mischief, provocation and to discover new comedy talent. Catch inspired rudeness favourite Ed Gamble, Festival Team The Guardian who shares the stage with Lou Sanders www.halifaxcomedyfestival.com & Steve Bugeja. Our smaller spaces play Box Office: 01422 305959 01 SwansongSwansong TheThe SootySooty Fri 20 Oct Square Chapel Arts Centre, 8pm The rain has finally stopped. 4 people survive. They are in a swan pedalo. Following critically acclaimed runs at the Sat 21 Oct The Victoria Theatre, 11am & 2.30pm Edinburgh Festival, Dugout Theatre, the ShowShow company that bought you Inheritance Izzy wizzy let’s get busy! Sooty is back Blues and The Sunset Five - bring their in a brand-new show with guaranteed smash-hit show to Halifax. Founded by a giggles for the whole family! Direct group of comedians, writers, musicians from CITV, Sooty, Sweep and head and actors, DugOut’s work is often into town accompanied by TV’s Richard funny, sometimes sad, usually hopeful Cadell. Mr Slater has put Richard BarbaraBarbara NiceNice and always musical. It warms your in charge of running the show but heart, moves your feet, treats your eyes, nothing is going to plan! Sooty’s magic lightens your load, tickles your fancy tricks turn very messy and Sweep’s Raffle!Raffle! and swells your heart. escapology act has him all tied up. Tickets: £12.50 Maybe Soo and her tap dancing will save the day? With special guest stars Fri 20 Oct Tickets: £13.75 for Adults & £11.75 for Children (under 16s) Butch and Ramsbottom. Expect magic, Arden Road Social Club, 8pm I’m in the music and mayhem with buckets full of Join the Edinburgh Fringe and BBC 2’s Bundle audience participation. A spectacular favourite housewife Barbara Nice for treat for Sooty fans old and new - an evening of proper good fun. Entrance plus a chance to meet Sooty and price includes a complimentary Richard after the show! raffle ticket! Age: 14+ Tickets: £15.00

02 03 SaraSara PascoePascoe SING-A-LONG A

Sat 21 Oct Victoria Theatre, 7.30pm Picture Show Ladsladslads Sara is enjoying a year-long, one- ROCKY HORROR woman stag do. From spiritual retreats, Sun 22 Oct city breaks, life drawing classes and The Victoria Theatre, 7.30pm football matches - she has been drunk and lonely everywhere. The Campest Cult Classic of all time Following a sell-out live tour of Animal gets the Singalonga treatment it’s been (inspired by her acclaimed book of the SCREAMING for! Featuring the film, same name), the multi award-winning starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, comedian and star of Live at The Apollo, Meatloaf and Richard O’Brien, it’s Mock the Week, QI and Taskmaster, the most outrageous, riotous, kitsch, returns with a brand-new (best ever) wonderful romp ever. stand-up show. If you’ve done The Time Warp before, you’ll never have done it quite like this! The evening begins with your host Pascoe’s lively mind teases leading a vocal warm-up before out big questions with they show you how to use your free Tickets: £16.75 intelligence, silliness interactive props bag. Fancy dress is not and self-deprecation obligatory but highly recommended! The Guardian ––– Please note that this is a screening of the iconic Hilarious confessions movie and not a live stage show. of a forensic mind Evening Standard Tickets: £16.00 04 05 George Egg Ed GambleSteve Bugeja DIYDIY ChefChef Ed Gamble Sun 22 Oct Square Chapel Arts Centre, 8pm LouLou SandersSanders Following sell out Edinburgh Fringe runs in 2015 and 2016, award winning* Comedy Club comedian George Egg (the ‘Anarchist 44 KidsKids Cook’) returns. In ‘DIY CHEF’ George’s Mon 23 Oct doctor has told him he needs to rethink Sun 22 Oct The Victoria Theatre, 8pm his culinary habits. As a result his family Square Chapel Arts Centre, 2pm A comedy club on a grand scale! have banned him from the kitchen. Three top comedians feature in this They’ve banished him to the shed. Like the name suggests, it’s a Comedy fantastic night of comedy. Ed Gamble Club 4 Kids that brings the best Expect power tools, gardening has recently been seen supporting stand-ups and sketch acts from the equipment and office supplies to be Russell Kane and Greg Davies on tour, international circuit to do their thing abused and re-purposed. Expect lots and describes himself as “essentially for an audience of children and their of laughs. Expect to learn something a nice guy delivering humour”. He has families. Cracking entertainment for new. And you get to taste the food also been seen on Mock the Week and everyone over six years old and under at the end.** Dave’s One Night Stand. The surreal 400 years old (no vampires). We have and refreshing Lou Sanders presents *Spirit Of The Fringe Award, Edinburgh 2015 the best comedians from the UK and **At your own risk! a charmingly haphazard show that’s world circuit doing what they do best- refreshingly different. Finally, Steve Tickets: £14.00 but without the rude bits! with concessions available Bugeja, is known for his compelling Tickets: £10.00 storytelling and comic detail, describing himself as an “out and proud nerd”. The night promises to be varied and A highlight for children... giving hilarious, where you can discover the them a taste of some of the biggest ‘next big thing’ at the Victoria Theatre! names in comedy with the fun, rowdy feel of a real comedy club Tickets: £16.75 The Guardian 07 JustinJustin MoorhouseMoorhouse

Howard Read Paul TonkinsonTony Vino MarcStand Blake Up Comedy Workshop Tue 24 Oct Marc Blake The Halifax Minster, 8pm Four top comedians perform cutting edge stand-up in the Halifax Minster. Watch as they all try not to swear or blaspheme in this unique setting! The whole evening will be MC’d by Tony Vino, who mixes friendly observational Mon 23 & Tue 24 Oct humour with audience interaction and Victoria Theatre, 10am - 4pm quick witted responses. Paul Tonkinson is noted for his effervescent physicality This intensive two day workshop covers and skilful impressions, infectious persona, gag-writing and the complete energy and comic reflections on love, skill-set required to become a stand- family and 21st Century living. up comedian. Marc Blake teaches performance at Winchester University As seen on Phoenix Nights, 8 Out and was a stand-up for 20 years, as of 10 Cats, Live At The Apollo and heard well as having written several books as a regular on BBC Radio 5 Live’s on sitcom and comedy writing. Fighting Talk; Justin Moorhouse charms the pants off any crowd with his down- Tickets: £96.75 for 2 days, to-earth comedy. Last but not least is including refreshments & lunch Howard Read, a comic, writer, animator and actor, best known for being one half of Big Howard, Little Howard on CBBC. Howard has also written for Ross Noble and Ricky Gervais. 08 Tickets: £15.00 09 DalisoDaliso ChapondaChaponda I’m in the Bundle GeoffGeoff Tony NorcottNorcott Burgess

WorkWork InIn ProgressProgressTue 24 Oct Tue 24 Oct Victoria Theatre - Green Room Bar, The Wellington Rooms, 8pm 7.30pm & 9.30pm A comedy double header at the 2017 Britain’s Got Talent Finalist & intimate setting of the Wellington Golden Buzzer winner, Daliso Chaponda Rooms! This night features two is a versatile writer and a comedian who comedians who are well-known on regularly performs across Africa and in the comedy circuit for their witty and the UK. He is a dynamic comedian and clever comedy. Geoff Norcott, who has has been known to jump on planes written for Sarah Millican, A League of and tell jokes anywhere on the globe Their Own, Live at the Apollo and BBC (even on the planes - whether the Radio 4, is the master of anecdotal passenger next to him wants to listen storytelling. As well as being a regular or not). He has been part of the on the circuit and writing scene, Geoff Melbourne, Montreal, Edinburgh and has also featured on The Comedy Cape Town Comedy Festivals. Store on Comedy Central. Tony Burgess, star of BBC Three Comedy A stand-up comedian Ideal and writer for various house-hold with raw Eddie Murphy Tickets: £12.50 names including Lily Savage, Steve confidence, cheek and with concessions available Coogan (Paul and Pauline Calf’s Cheese Tickets: £16.75 super-polished style and Ham Sandwich) and Johnny Vegas, NERVE, ENGLAND has been described as clever and 10 hilarious, and he definitely fits this bill! 11 SeanSean PercivalPercival

WithWith LoveLove fromfrom ShaziaShaziaStSt MirzaMirza TropezTropez ArchieArchie KellyKellyWed 25 Oct The Wellington Rooms, 8pm Two no-nonsense comedians known for their ‘down-to-earth’ comedy take on Wed 25 Oct the world and the discerning comedy Victoria Theatre, Green Room Bar, fans of Halifax! Black Country comic 7.30pm Sean Percival’s act is steeped in the Following her critically acclaimed tradition of working men’s club that’s 2016, 103 date sell-out international been brought bang up to date. Sean tour; ‘The Kardashians Made Me Do It’ confronts realism in an explosively funny Shazia Mirza announces her brand way, the working man’s revenge on the new stand-up show for 2017. safe, middle-class, politically correct humour that has dominated comedy. A show about lies and truth- or is that the same thing? Nudity and The Periodic Archie Kelly is recognisable as Kenny Table, these things hold the key to the Senior in Phoenix Nights and Max and future. How much do you wear? What Paddy’s Road to Nowhere, as well as The do you look like, and will they let you in? Street, Coronation Street, Emmerdale Oh, and don’t you dare wear more than and Shameless. Archie is dynamic dental floss on a French beach. comedic entity and an effortless master of bone dry anecdotes, well-aimed Tickets: £14.25 I’m in the Tickets: £12.50 vitriol and razor-sharp song parodies. with concessions Bundle Don’t miss out on these two comedians at the top of their games! 12 13 Scottish Falsetto the 6 wives

ofof henryhenry viiIviiI Fri 27 Oct Square Chapel Arts Centre, 7.30pm I’m in the Thursday 26 Oct Two Actors. Too Many Characters. SockSock PuppetsPuppetsThe Wellington Rooms, 7.30pm Bundle One Big Ego. Howard Coggins looks Earth’s funniest footwear are back like Henry VIII and Stu McLoughlin with their hit new show of songs, doesn’t really look like any of the wives, I’m in the sketches, socks & violence, taking on but he’s going to give it a go. The Six Bundle The Bard Of Avon himself. Howl at their Wives of Henry VIII was an undisputed Hamlet, roar at their Romeo & Juliet, hit at the Bristol Old Vic, and with live original music, embroidery, Barbie dolls, and peer into their Coriolanus. Plus all Let’sA Celebration do ofit the usual satirical nonsense from the EverythingA Celebration Victoria Wood of silly songs and historical hysteria, this Two Gentlesocks Of Verrucca. promises to be an ill-researched, cross-dressing lesson in Tudor Hit routines include their versions history that you’ll never forget. of Richard the Third and Othello, Tickets: £12.50 an investigation of gender roles in I’m in the Shakespearian comedies, and a demonstration of how the comedy Thur 26 & Fri 27 Oct Bundle routines in Shakespeare can be Arden Road Social Club, 8pm done funny. All of this is even funnier than it sounds! Made up North Theatre Company presents the very best local amateur actresses and singers in a tribute to the late, great Victoria Wood. Tickets: £12.50 with concessions Tickets: £12.50

14 RobAreAre Rouse YouYou SittingSitting Comfortably? SeriousSerious JokerJoker Fri 27 Oct Victoria Theatre, Green Room Bar, LeeLee NelsonNelson 7.30pm Sat 28 Oct He’s married, has two kids, a dog The Victoria Theatre, 8pm and an eye-watering mortgage in Due to huge demand, Lee’s these times of austerity and uncertainty, brand-new, best ever stand-up show but remains resolute that a career Dick & Liddy’s has been extended into autumn 2017. in unpredictable world of comedy You’ve seen him sneaking into places was absolutely the right way to go. he shouldn’t be, now come and see Rob takes this trademark comedic him where he most definitely should storytelling to a career high in this be: live on stage with his sensational full length show. He leads us on an Serious Joker Tour. All profits from the irresistibly hilarious journey of enforced ComedyComedy ClubClub show will be going to Lee. introspection that has taught him to relinquish any attempts to control his life and to face down, literally, one of Fri 27 Oct Victoria Theatre, Green Room Bar, YOU SHOULD BE the most awkward situations you’re 9.30pm ASHAMED OF YOURSELF ever likely to hear about. Sepp Blatter ––– The Victoria Theatre’s popular monthly Tickets: £15.75 comedy club is a must stop on GET HIM OUT! Donald Trump the comedy circuit for all stand-up ––– comedians old and new. With the line- Tickets: £21.75 YOU’VE GOT FOUR up announced just a few days before YESSES. WELL DONE the show, it’s a lucky dip that usually Simon Cowell pays off with big laughs and a ––– chance to discover new talent. COMEDY LEGEND The Sun Tickets: £11.75 17 For accessibility I’m in the and specific information for each venue, BookingInformationInformation Bundle please contact the venue directly:

Book In person BOOK BY TELEPHONE Halifax Comedy Festival Bundle The Victoria Theatre Halifax Comedy Festival Box Office, Telephone the Box Office: Fountain Street, HX1 1BP The Victoria Theatre, Fountain Street 01422 305959 3 Shows for £30! 01422 351158 Halifax, HX1 1BP The bundle applies to the victoriatheatre.co.uk Booking Fees [email protected] The Box Office is openMonday Please note that some performances following shows that are all to Saturday from 10am to 6pm may attract additional costs at the time priced at £12.50 each: Square Chapel Arts Centre during September and October and of booking. Any such fees are included Swansong 10 Square Rd, HX1 1QG every day during the Festival. We in or along with the advertised ticket Square Chapel 01422 349 422 can reserve tickets for you, which price in the brochure. –– squarechapel.co.uk must be paid for within 4 days. Tony Burgess & Geoff Norcott [email protected] Refunds & resale of tickets Wellington Rooms Tickets for shows at Square Chapel Please note that no refunds are –– The Halifax Minster are also available from Square Chapel, available unless a performance is Sean Percival & Archie Kelly Causeway, HX1 1QL 10 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG. cancelled. Unfortunately purchased Wellington Rooms 01422 355436 –– halifaxminster.org.uk Tel: 01422 349422 tickets cannot be resold by Scottish Falsetto Socks Box Offices at all venues are open the Comedy Festival. Wellington Rooms Arden Road Social Club until at least 15 minutes after ‘curtain Queries & Comments –– Arden Road, HX1 3AG up’ on performance days if you need The 6 Wives of Henry VIII 01422 362349 We welcome customer feedback Square Chapel to collect tickets or purchase any and comments. If you have any –– ardenroadsocial.co.uk extras on the night. suggestions please email them to Let’s Do It The Wellington Rooms Book online: [email protected]. If you Arden Road Wellington Street South have any questions regarding tickets halifaxcomedyfestival.com PLEASE NOTE: It is not possible to purchase www.haosproductions.com/ victoriatheatre.co.uk for the comedy festival please email bundles online; they need to be bought directly wellington-rooms [email protected]. from the comedy festival box office on the [email protected] squarechapel.co.uk phone or in person. 18 19 Peoples Park

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SwiresSwires rdrd && GuideGuide arkark RdRd FestivalFestival MapMap SaSavilleville pp ArdenArden RdRd A629 01 The Victoria Theatre 04 The Halifax Minster Where you can catch the headliners An unusual venue for comedy SaSavilleville RdRd and TV favourites. Come here for: and a curve ball for the comedians! A58 Bus Richard Herring, The Sooty Show, Come here for: Statioion WindinWindin Sara Pascoe, Sing-a-long-a Rocky Justin Moorhouse, Paul Tonkinson, BroadBroad StSt gg rdrd Horror, Marc Blake, Ed Gamble, Howard Read & Tony Vino. Daliso Chaponda, Shazia Mirza, –– 04 05 Square Chapel 01 Rob Rouse & Lee Nelson. MarketMarket –– Arts Centre KingKing crosscross rdrd 05 ss 02 Arden Road Social Club Quirky comedy shows for a tt A cool twist on the traditional discerning audience. Come here for: kk RRdd pparar CCommercialommercial streetstreet tt working men’s club. Come here for: Swansong, Comedy Club 4 Kids, SaSavilleville ss Barbara Nice & Let’s Do It. HoHortrtonon stst ChurchChurch –– George Egg, The 6 Wives of Henry VIII. 03 The Wellington Rooms 03 A pain in the backside to find but NewNew RdRd well worth the effort! Come here for: SkircSkircooatat rdrd Tony Burgess, Geoff Norcott, Sean SaSavilleville RdRd Percival, Archie Kelly, The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets.

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Fri 20, 8pm Sun 22, 7.30pm Tues 24, 7.30pm Thurs 26 Richard Herring Sing-a-long- & 9.30pm & Fri 27, 8pm £16.75, a Rocky Daliso Let’s Do It Victoria Theatre Horror Show Chaponda £12.50, –– £16, £16.75, Arden Road Fri 20, 8pm Victoria Theatre Victoria Theatre –– Barbara Nice –– –– Fri 27, 7.30pm £15, Sun 22, 8pm Tues 24, 8pm The 6 Wives Arden Road George Egg Justin of Henry VIII –– Moorhouse, £12.50, Fri 20, 8pm DIY Chef £12-£14, & guests Square Chapel Swansong –– Square Chapel £15, Fri 27, 7.30pm £12.50, –– Halifax Minster Square Chapel Mon 23 & Tues 24, –– Rob Rouse –– 10am - 4pm Wed 25, 7.30pm £15.75, Sat 21, Victoria Theatre 11am & 2.30pm Marc Blake Shazia Mirza –– £96.75 for 2 days, £14.25, Fri 27, 9.30pm The Sooty Show Victoria Theatre Victoria Theatre £11.75-£13.75,* –– –– Dick & Liddy’s Victoria Theatre Mon 23, 8pm Wed 25, 8pm Comedy Club –– £11.75, Sat 21, 7.30pm Ed Gamble, Sean Percival & Guests & Archie Kelly Victoria Theatre Sara Pascoe –– £16.75, Victoria £12.50, Sat 28, 8pm £16.75, Theatre Wellington Rooms Victoria Theatre –– –– Lee Nelson –– Tues 24, 8pm Thu 26, 7.30pm £21.75, Sun 22, 2pm Victoria Theatre Comedy Tony Burgess & Scottish Geoff Norcott Falsetto *The Sooty Show - Club 4 Kids £12.50, Sock Puppets £11.75 Children & £10, Wellington Rooms £13.75 Adults Square Chapel £12.50, Wellington Rooms To keep in the loop and make sure you don’t miss any of the comedy action in Halifax this autumn, visit www.halifaxcomedyfestival.com and sign up to our e-newsletter or give us a follow on one of the social media channels below. Halifax Comedy Festival @HXComedyFest @halifaxcomedyfestival or call the box office on: 01422 305 959 We hope to see you there! With thanks from The Halifax Comedy Festival Team.

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