Funny Way To Be Comedy announce 2014 programme
Some of stand-up’s biggest stars will visit the Barnard Castle in 2014 – as one comedy club announces a barnstorming programme for the coming year.
Teesdale promoters Funny Way To Be have today launched their new year line-up, with award-winners, TV stars and history makers amongst those coming to Barnard Castle in the next twelve months.
Based at the newly-refurbished Witham Hall, Funny Way To Be’s programme begins on Saturday February 8th with a comedy club night hosted by Hebburn actor Alfie Joey.
Alfie, who will be appearing in the second series of the BBC2 sitcom, joins Andrew O'Neill and Paul F Taylor at The Witham, both of whom will be making rare trips to the North East.
With Bridget Christie and Adrienne Truscott both winning awards at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe, feminist comedy has never been so funny.
And on March 1st we go back to where it all started by bringing the first ever female Edinburgh Comedy Award winner to Teesdale.
Jenny Éclair, who scooped the top prize in 1995, is celebrating nearly three decades at the top with a brand new tour, Eclairious.
You might recognize her from TV, with small screen highlights on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, the Grumpy Old Women series, plus the Grumpy Guides, Grumpy Holidays and It’s Grim up North.
As a child Jenny spent a couple of years living in Teesdale; we are delighted to bring her to perform here for the very first time.
Matt Richardson was a huge success hosting the Funny Way To Be comedy gala in September 2013.
Since then he has appeared on numerous TV shows including hosting Xtra Factor on ITV2.
Now, he's on his first tour – Hometown Hero – and he’s returning to Barnard Castle on March 22nd.
Another tour landing in Teesdale next year is Mike Wozniak’s fantastic Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated show, Take the Hit.
Mike, who can currently be seen in Greg Davies’ Channel 4 sitcom Man Down, is a critic’s favourite, with the Sunday Times describing him as “bang on the money” and the Daily Express hailing him as the “master of deadpan.”
He travels to Barnard Castle on April 26th, with support from Nish Kumar.
Craig Campbell is a formidable stand-up, one of the most charismatic and inventive performers around.
Last year Campbell supported Frankie Boyle on his record-breaking national tour, playing to an audience of over 300,000 nationwide.
The Canadian star has also made appearances on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Russell Howard’s Good News and Dave’s One Night Stand.
At the peak of his career, Craig returns to Barnard Castle for our Whit Weekend show on May 24th.
Pete Firman is, quite simply, extraordinary.
His skill for fusing magic and comedy has made him one of the most in demand magicians working on British television, making guest appearances on shows like BBC Breakfast, The One Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme.
As well as his hugely successful show, Pete tells us we'll be seeing a few new set pieces for the first time ahead of his new show. Don’t miss it.
Support for Pete’s show on June 21st comes from Steve Shanyaski (Jason Manford’s Comedy Rocks).
The Observer calls her “one of the finest female comics at work”, and we agree; Jo Caulfield is a firm Funny Way To Be favourite.
The Mock The Week and Comedy Roadshow star will be bringing her new show, Better The Devil You Know, to Barnard Castle on July 19th after a sell-out performance here in 2012.
Lucy Beaumont is a comedy actress, stand up and writer. She was last year's winner of the BBC New Comedy Award and has recently won the Chortle Award for Best Newcomer.
On July 26th join Lucy and Show Me The Funny winner Patrick Monahan for a special night of comedy as they both preview new Edinburgh Fringe shows. Our final show of the summer is not to be missed.
Organiser of Funny Way To Be Comedy Peter Dixon said, " We are delighted to have secured such a wonderful array of top quality comics each month for the first half of 2014. Our return to the refurbished The Witham venue enables us to programme some of the best comedians that regularly fill large venues. We always look to provide a variety of different style of comic within a give period and with rising stars, well established acts, club nights, tours, stand-ups, magicians, new acts and returning favourites we have certainly done that this season. There is something for everyone in these line ups."
All Funny Way To Be shows start at 8.00pm. Doors are 7.30pm.