10 acts to see at Glasgow Comedy Festival
- Craig Angus
- 23 February 2018
Bridget Christie plays two shows at Citizens Theatre as part of Glasgow Comedy Festival / credit: Idil Sukan
From award-winning favourite of the metropolitan elite Bridget Christie, to the city's finest resident humorists
Glasgow Comedy Festival looms, with the west of Scotland's favourite fortnight of funny taking place from Thu 8 to Sun 25 Mar. Now in it's 16th year, the festival is bringing some of the biggest names from around the world to Glasgow in 2018, as well as some lesser-known, critically-acclaimed performers, and local favourites. It's an outstanding programme – here's some of our favourites
Mae Martin: Dope
In her best show to date, the ostensibly cheery Canadian explores the darkness of addition. It's a personal, poignant hour, but the subject matter doesn't mean a shortage of laughs – the opposite is true.
Dope, The Stand Comedy Club, Tue 13 Mar, 6:50pm
Tommy Tiernan: Under The Influence
The often controversial, never dull Irish stand-up, balances out his more mischievous tendencies with plenty of contemplative musings in Under The Influence. His latest show, which he brings to Glasgow after starring in Derry Girls,
Under The Influence, King's Theatre, Wed 14 Mar. 7.30pm
Larry Dean: Fandan
Local boy Larry Dean has been around the world in the last few years, but has named his show Fandan, arguably the best playful insult his native vernacular has to offer. He's an important voice in Scottish comedy, a gay, working class man with material as strong as Kevin Bridges.
Fandan, The Stand Comedy Club, Wed 14 Mar, 9.30pm
Bridget Christie: What Now?
In her own words, the 'multi-award winning member of the Metropolitan Liberal Elite' returns to Glasgow with a blistering show about the stress of rolling news. Brexit? Trump? Nuclear Apocalypse? What now, indeed...
What Now?, Citizens Theatre, Fri 16 & Sat 17 Mar, 8pm
Pat Cahill: The Fisherman
There's tangents a plenty in Pat Cahill's The Fisherman, a thrilling hour of alternative comedy, where a time of quiet reflection at the riverbank soon unravels, turning into an absurdist romp.
The Fisherman, McPhabbs, Sat 17 Mar, 4.30pm
Fin Taylor brings his acclaimed Lefty Tighty Righty Loosey to Glasgow
Fin Taylor: Lefty Tighty Righty Loosey
It was a bad year for the left, and a bad year for Fin Taylor too. In Lefty Tighty Righty Loosey, he effortlessly weaves those two narrative strands together. Having given up his own left-wing politics for something more central, it's a provocative hour that sticks the boot into hypocrites.
Lefty Tighty Righty Loosey, Blackfriars Basement, Sat 17 Mar, 7.30pm
Mat Ewins Presents: Adventureman 7
Arguably the funniest show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017. There are no lessons in Adventureman 7, and no epiphanies. Ewins, who has long been a gifted multimedia funnyman, brings relentless jokes in this outrageously good Indiana Jones parody.
Adventureman 7, Blackfriars Basement, Sat 17 Mar, 7.30pm
Matt Winning: Filibuster
In years gone by, Matt Winning has performed a show about his experience as Robert Mugabe's son. This time, he's using his (real) experience as a environmental economist to describe how climate change is not only ruining the planet, but Winning's life.
Filibuster, Blackfriars, Sun 18 Mar, 7.30pm
Mark Thomas: Showtime From The Frontline
A story about 'being yourself in a place that wants to put you in a box', the ever ambitious Thomas recounts the experience of setting up a comedy club for two nights in the Palestinian city of Jenin. He's joined by Faisal Abu Alhayjaa and Alaa Shehada, two aspiring comic actors from the Jenin Freedom Theatre.
Showtime From The Frontline, Tron Theatre, Wed 21 – Sat 24 Mar, 2.30pm and 7.45pm
Annie McGrath: Anniesland
The hard-working McGrath is also a member of the sketch group Twins, but her deadpan standup is a glorious thing too. Anniesland (not named after the area of Glasgow, that's just a cool coincidence) is an hour of dryly delivered, witty tales of millennial woe, dripping in sarcasm.
Anniesland, Veneer Gallery, Sat 24 Mar, 5pm
And finally...
Nev: 23 Minutes of Animal Noises
Pedigree Chunks: Best in Show 2018
What sort of festival roundup would miss out Chunks; the comedy collective whose adventurous comedy spirit and regular events are a highlight all year round. Rounding off the festival, Nev of their congregation performs his show 23 Minutes of Animal Noises, before all Chunks indulge their silliest urges and compete for the Golden Pineapple.
McPhabbs, Sun 25 Mar, 8pm and 9.30pm, tickets on sale for Nev and Pedigree Chunks now
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information displayed here is accurate, always check with the venue before attending.
Mae Martin: Sap
The co-writer and star of Channel Four and Netflix sitcom Feel Good, and star of her own Netflix stand-up special, is on tour! In her brand new stand-up hour, Mae Martin looks at the uphill battle of trying to do the right thing in a world that sometimes seems to have lost its moral compass. With her characteristically…
Matt Winning: Filibuster
Avalon Promotions Ltd A show about climate change from comedian and environmental economist Matt Winning describing how global warming is destroying both the planet and his life. ‘Lightweight stuff’ (Guardian). Matt gives a presentation on how a world which is sick of experts may not be about much longer. For fans of An…
Larry Dean: Fudnut
Alan Anderson for Ha Ha Comedy with Hireacomedian.co.uk SCOTY winner and Scottish Comedy Awards nominee. Total sell-out at Adelaide Fringe 2014. 'A natural storyteller… I'm sure Dean will be winning other awards in the near future' (London Evening Standard). 'Hooray, then, for Larry Dean who opened up with a funny and…
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