Bath Comedy Festival has launched its official programme.

The launch at the Bill Murray pub in London featured performances by Rory Bremner, Jess Robinson and Marcel Lucont, with puns aplenty from Darren Walsh and international stand-up from Romanian Radu Isac and Italian Luca Cupani.

Rory Bremner praised Bath Comedy Festival for its wide range of quality comedic talent and its ethos of programming household names alongside new and up and coming comedians. Director Nick Steel thanked principal sponsors Lovehoney for their support, highlighted the high ratio of female performers (over 1 in 3 over the Festival) and increased accessibility - over two thirds of Festival shows being free entry/ “pay what you feel” making live comedy truly affordable.

Other launch events have been held in both Bristol and Bath, affirming Bath Comedy’s reputation as one of England’s fastest growing comedy festivals and putting it on the map as a national destination for visitors from all over the UK and beyond.

With approximately 300 comedians performing at over 150 events across 20 days, Bath Comedy Festival 2019, now in its 11th year, runs 26th March – 14th April and recently won the Bath Business Award for Leisure & Tourism, and the Bath Life Award for Arts.

Highlights include Opening Night with Rory Bremner (pictured) and Rob Rouse, two star-packed Gala line-up showcases, An Evening of Eric & Ern and Henning Wehn headlining Bath’s fabulous art deco Forum, immersive dining and mystery tour events, a host of Edinburgh style professional shows, an extensive affordable programme and the prestigious annual New Act Competition, the winner of which receives the Lovehoney Newcomer Award. Christopher Biggins (pictured) will be the guest on a Wine Trail magical mystery tour.

Tickets for events at the Bath Comedy Festival are now on sale and are selling fast. Full details of the festival here.