Manchester may be infamous for its music scene, but there is also a very healthy comedy circuit gaining momentum and with it, Castlefield Bowl will be taken over for four days of laughter in September for an annual comedy festival, Laughterama.
Tickets start from £25 and there are some serious names performing including Stewart Lee, Lou Sanders, John Richardson and John Robins. The event runs from Wednesday 4 September straight through to Sunday and there is plenty to watch.
Kicking off with Laughterama headliner Jon Richardson (Meet the Richardsons, 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown), he is joined by Taskmaster favourite Mike Wozniak, award-winning newcomer Jin Hao Li alongside Esther Manito and Amy Gledhill as host.
Thursday is just as strong with Taskmaster champion and Mock the Week regular Dara O Brian headlining. He’s joined by fellow Mock the Week colleague Rhys James as well as Janine Harouni, Stephen Bailey, and Jen Brister as host.
Friday night has ex- Never Mind the Buzzcocks star Simon Amstell headlining, fans of 8 out of 10 cats will be familiar with keyboard star David O’Doherty who is also on the bill. They’re joined by Celya AB, Helen Bauer, and Ivo Graham as host.
Over the weekend there are also matinee shows alongside the evening’s entertainment. Saturday has renowned Netflix star Phil Wang headlining, alongside John Kearns, Tom Rosenthal, Lindsey Santoro and Manchester’s homegrown Rachel Fairburn as host.
Into the evening and “Irish queen of comedy” Joanne McNally headlines with Sophie Duker and Manchester’s very own Dan Tiernan and Josh Jones.
On Sunday you’re spoilt for choice, in the afternoon, Perrier award winning comedian Dylan Moran headlines, he is joined by Sam Campbell, Ray Badran, Kemah Bob, Thanyia Moore and BBC 5 Live’s vibe magnet John Robins as host.
The festival is wrapped up by BAFTA & British Comedy Award winner Stewart Lee who is a critic and comics favourite. He is joined by Lou Sanders, Rob Auton, Louise Young and Felicity Ward as host.
Laughterama is clearly packed with talent for £25 you can’t go wrong for any of these shows available from Laughterama.