Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, Brighton Dome Comedy Festival returns for an extended run from 17-26 October this year – five days more laughter across the venue’s three event spaces for comedy fans of all ages. Promising the same inclusive mix of solo shows from big name standups, Brighton Dome debuts from the comedy stars of the future and events for families, young children and teenagers, all performances will again be live captioned, as part of Brighton Dome’s commitment to accessibility for audiences and artists alike.
Live at Brighton Dome, the venue’s flagship comedy showcase of up and coming comics alongside standup superstars, headlines the Concert Hall on Saturday 18 October, while its swear-free, family-friendly sibling Live at Brighton Dome BLEEPED, makes its way back to the Corn Exchange on Saturday 25 October.
Other Concert Hall headliners include “furiously funny” (The Guardian) Brighton-based comedian Jen Brister, premiering brand-new show Reactive which sees her attempt to find her zen. Strictly Come Dancing’s 2024 winner Chris McCausland presents a masterclass in stand up that has been Yonks in the making and award-winning comic, Taskmaster contestant and Celebrity Gogglebox regular Babatunde Aléshé stops off on his second national tour.
Joanne McNally (pictured top), comedian and co-presenter of hit podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, navigates situationships, frenemies and rejection in her new show Pinotphile. Virtuoso ventriloquist Nina Conti (and Monkey) presents her unparalleled, unscripted new show Whose Face is it Anyway? and comedy megastars Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis go live with their Wolf & Owl podcast (pictured bottom). Closing the Festival is husband and wife double act Paul Merton (Have I Got News for You) and Suki Webster’s improv show, featuring yet-to-be announced special guests.
Elsewhere, in the Corn Exchange, Brighton’s own confessional comedian Suzi Ruffell talks about The Juggle of being good all the time, there is discovery and wonder with the award-winning Josie Long (pictured middle) and comic, actor and man with the golden larynx, Nick Helm is aiming high with No One Gets Out Alive. The Studio Theatre plays host to Estonian clown Julia Masli, “whose mischief is matched only by her compassion” (The Guardian) and there is a not-to-be-missed preview of a brand-new show from Sri Lankan born, London-based rising star Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa.
Free comedy workshops for young people in partnership with Komedia Productions will return to Brighton Dome’s community space Anita’s Room in the run up to the Festival, culminating in a showcase of the hard work of these next generation comic superstars in the Studio Theatre on the closing weekend.
More acts will be announced over the coming weeks, including a programme of daytime shows in the Studio Theatre for families with young children.
Rosie Crane, Comedy Producer at Brighton Dome says: “We are super proud of this line-up and of how Brighton Dome Comedy Festival has grown since its first year. We have hand-picked some of the most exciting comedy talent around for this year’s Festival, from huge stars to the funniest shows you haven’t discovered yet. Hop from room to room, take advantage of some amazing ticket offers and immerse yourself in nine days of pure hysterical joy.”
Comedy at Brighton Dome is supported by Mayo Wynne Baxter. Echoing the venue’s year-round programme ethos, Brighton Dome Comedy Festival aims to be an inclusive and accessible celebration of all things funny, for everyone.
For more details and to book tickets visit brightondome.org
Josie Long picture by Stephanie Gibson
