Belfast to host unique 8-day comedy festival
BELFAST can look forward to lots of belly laughs next month following the launch of the city’s only dedicated comedy festival.
Belly Laughs will run for eight days from 30 September – 7 October, in 15 venues across the city, with over 40 performances.
The full programme will be formally launched next week and festival organisers have promised a great line-up of new and established comedians with confirmed acts including local legend Jimmy Cricket.
Festival Director, Peter O’Neill, said he hopes Belly Laughs will provide Belfast with a unique comedy festival that will appeal to audiences of all ages with a programme that presents great value in these straightened economic times.
“It’s time for Belfast to have its own comedy festival and we can’t wait to showcase the new comic talent and the rich tradition of humour that characterises the city and its people. We aim to stretch the boundaries of comedy in the city and explore the history and role humour plays in the local community – both past and present.
“Not restricted to stand-up comedy, the festival hopes to challenge and inspire, showcasing genres such as poetry, magic, cabaret, workshops, seminars, club nights, book readings, events for children and even comedy bus tours – in fact, anything with a humorous angle!”
The festival hopes to become a permanent fixture in the city’s festival calendar and will profile local comedy clubs throughout the year. Working directly with performers, venues and other organisations to achieve its belly laughing mission, the festival has been organised by comedy enthusiasts and is not for profit.
The full Belly Laughs programme will be launched on Thursday 13 September.