Birmingham Comedy Festival: the shows you can still book and 8 free shows not to miss

It’s back in real life - Birmingham Comedy Festival returns with ten days of hilarity with a fantastic line up featuring some of the best comedians in the UK.

The comedy-based arts festival celebrating its 20th year in style - and has already sold-out appearances from Russell Brand, Chris Ramsey, Tailenders, and Max Fosh.

But there are still plenty of brilliant acts that you can still see.

See the highlights below.

Birmingham Comedy Festival acts that you can still book

Barbara Nice (3 Oct, Irish Centre);

Rob Kemp (1 Oct, MAC), who is fresh from a successful run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe;

Britain’s Got Talent Finalist Danny Posthill (7 Oct, Hennessey’s Bar);

Birmingham Footnotes (5 Oct, University of Birmingham); and magician/ comedian Damon Conlan (9 Oct, The Crescent Theatre);

And of course, camp smash The Rocky Horror Show runs from 27 September to 2 October (The Alexandra).

Other highlights

Other highlights include Finn Taylor (3 Oct, The Glee Club),

Rachel Fairburn (8 Oct, The Glee Club),

The acclaimed Eric Ruston (2 Oct, 1000 Trades), and

British As Folk’s Darren Harriott (1-2 Oct, The Glee Club).

8 free shows not to be missed

The festival concludes on Sunday 10 October with the return of the Birmingham Comedy Festival Free Half-Dayer.

Featuring eight free shows the afternoon event (1pm-6pm) runs across two nearly adjacent city centre venues, Cherry Reds and The Victoria, in John Bright Street.

Acts appearing include Danny Clives (whose artwork was featured on C4’s The Last Leg), podcast Tea With The Devil, Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent winners Josh Pugh (BBC Sounds) and Celya AB, and concludes with James Cook’s cult Edinburgh Fringe show, Board Game Smackdown.

For more information and to book go to Birmingham Comedy Festival.

Are Brummies really still interested in live comedy?

A spokesperson for the festival said: “The response to the fest’ this year has been amazing. Given the number of shows that have sold out in advance, or are close to selling out now, it’s clear there continues to be a real appetite for live comedy in the city – regardless of whatever else is going on in the world. It’s also clear that the city’s comedy scene is as strong and vibrant as ever.

“Earlier in the year, we wondered if a 2021 ‘live’ festival would be possible, so we’re so pleased to be back, especially as it’s our 20th anniversary.”

Reflecting on the landmark, the spokesperson added: “Twenty years is a significant feat, and it’s so nice to welcome back a number of acts who took part in that very first 2001 festival, such as Barbara Nice, Jo Enright, Andy Robinson, James Cook and John Simmit.”

Birmingham Comedy Festival runs from Friday 1 to Sunday 10 October 2021 at venues across the city. For more details, see: bhamcomfest.co.uk