Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2015 Tickles Our Fancy!

By Contributor -

Fred McAuley is at this year's Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Andrew Laing Photography

The biggest comedy festival in Europe returns to Glasgow from 12 to 29 March 2015.

Now in its thirteenth year, the 2015 programme for the Glasgow International Comedy Festival is packed with not just the very best contemporary stand up, but also film, theatre, workshops, kid’s shows and discussions.

“As the festival enters its teenage years, it’s growing up to be one of the most looked forward to events in the Scottish cultural calendar,” said Tommy Sheppard, director of the festival organiser’s the Scottish Comedy Agency. “As ever, we’re delighted to bring the best to Glasgow and also to showcase what the city has to offer to the rest of the world.”

Star-studded programme

A host of headline acts feature in the star-studded programme, with Jimmy Carr, Dylan Moran and Stewart Lee all performing at the Clyde Auditorium, Radio Scotland star Fred MacAulay leading a packed King’s Theatre programme which includes Al Murray, Tom Stade, the live debut from Burnistoun and a gala benefit to raise funds for MND Scotland, featuring Frankie Boyle and Stewart Francis. At the Citizens Theatre, the line up includes Shappi Khorsandi, Paul Chowdhry, Mark Steel and John Shuttleworth.

As always, the Glasgow International Comedy Festival proudly boasts a strong Scottish flavour, from headliners such as Jerry Sadowitz at the King’s Theatre to Susan Calman and Des Clarke in the Citizens Theatre and Craig Hill, Hardeep Singh Kohli and Phil Differ at Oran Mor.

Younger comedy fans are well catered for with a range of shows specifically programmed to appeal to families, as well as the return of the ever popular ‘Watch With Baby Comedy’, where parents can enjoy an adult show with their under 2s.

International visitors

The international programme is headed by the prestigious “America Stands Up” showcase on March 28 at the Stand Comedy Club, when host Scott Capurro will introduce Time Out New York’s ‘one to watch’ Emma Willman, a well as Kendra Cunnningham from Saturday Night Live and Jimmy Fallon. Other international visitors include Irish super star Tommy Tiernan, popular Canadians Rich Hall, Craig Campbell and Jason John Whitehead plus the self-proclaimed German comedy ambassador Henning Wehn.

The Festival will team up with BBC Comedy to host comedy writing workshops in the Stand Comedy Club and there will be a topical discussion about the state of political comedy at the Citizen’s Theatre on March 26.

“Visitors and locals alike are in for a real treat“

Glaswegians are renowned for their hospitality and good humour so it’s no surprise that we’re home to one of the world’s best comedy festivals,” said Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council. “We’re looking forward to another bumper Festival – and with more than 400 shows across 46 venues, visitors and locals alike are in for a real treat.”

To find out more events happening across Scotland, pick up a copy of this month’s Scots Magazine – or subscribe by clicking here.