Nottingham Comedy Festival gets underway today (Friday, November 4) and runs for eight days featuring some iconic comedians.
101 acts will be performing across 21 city venues – including the legendary Billy Connolly and well-known prankster Lee Nelson, otherwise known for his footballing guise Jason Bent – for the annual event.
More than 25,000 people are expected to flock to this year’s festival with all the proceeds made going towards the National Autistic Society.
The Festival Launch Show takes place tonight at 7.30pm across various venues with Mark Grimshaw, who is autistic, among the performers.
Collection buckets will be at each venue across the eight days to raise as much money as possible for the charity.
One of the team behind the festival, Elliot Bower, was diagnosed with autism and Asperger syndrome two years ago when aged 30 and organisers wish to raise awareness of the condition.
The event was launched in 2009 by co-founder Helen Stead and her friend, Rachel Greensmith.
They have been pals since 2003 and, after both finishing university six years later – Helen with a degree in media production from Lincoln University and Rachel with a human geography degree from Nottingham Trent University – the pair decided to set up the festival.
“We just loved comedy and realised there was nothing here in Nottingham celebrating what the city has to offer,” says Helen.
“We basically just threw ourselves in it and created the festival. The first year we had about 50 shows and it’s grown an awful lot – and obviously we’ve got Lee Nelson and Billy Connolly this year.
“We’re also focused on getting local artists to come forward and to add more variety. It’s more than doubled in size since 2009.”
Helen believes that the event is important in giving local acts the chance to perform in front of big audiences.
She said: “Although we have got the likes of Billy and Lee it’s not just that, there’s so many great performers out there who just need an opportunity.
“One of the shows from a local artist is actually a sell-out, Jeanette Bird Bradley. She’s going to be a special one. She won a new act award we did last year and she’s from Nottingham. It’s great to see local acts doing so well.”
Previous comedians who have performed at the festival include Rhod Gilbert, Armstrong and Miller, Jason Manford, Alan Davies, Reginald D Hunter and Paul Chowdhry.
Venues added to hold shows this year include Annie’s Burger Shack, Nottingham Trent University’s Students’ Union (City campus), Castle Pub, Cafe Sobar, Lee Rosy’s and the Loft House.
Other stalwarts hosting the hilarities are: The Admiral Rodney, Alea Casino, Canalhouse, Cross Keys, The Glee Club, Jongleurs, The Maze, Motorpoint Arena, Navigation, Nottingham Arts Theatre, The Ned Ludd, The Malt Cross, Poppy and Pint, Spanky Van Dykes, and The Understudy at the Lord Roberts.
Although comedy is subjective, there are plenty of different types going on for everyone to enjoy.
“There’s a lot of observational humour, we’ve got one performer who used to be a police officer and we’ve got sketch shows and musical acts,” says Rachel.
“We’ve got some poetry going on as well and board game shows. We’ve got a show which will be performed in Polish – and that is actually a sell-out. It’s really nice as we’ve got a big Polish community now in Nottinghamshire.”
Tickets can be booked in advance online, while you can buy tickets on the door at shows which have not sold-out.
Tickets start at £39.20 for Billy Connolly’s show at the Motorpoint Arena (November 8) and £10 for standard entry for Lee Nelson’s gig at Nottingham Trent University’s Students’ Union (November 7).
Day tickets to watch all performances at the Navigation, in Wilford Street, on Saturday, November 5, cost £7.