Eddie Izzard has been named as the headline act of the new Southsea Comedy Festival, which runs from July 31 to August 1. He will be performing his recent acclaimed Force Majeure show on both nights.

Presented by the Portsmouth Cultural Partnership (PCP) the Comedy Festival will run alongside popular family festival, the Southsea Show, on Southsea Common this summer.  Eddie Izzard is one of several major comedians that will be participating in the Comedy Festival. Further names will be announced soon.  

“Portsmouth has a fantastic reputation for hosting the best comedians, both up-and-coming and established national names. What better way to celebrate that success than to launch a new Comedy Festival and announce one of the biggest names in comedy, not just in the UK, but around the world, as our first headliner!” says Steve Pitt, chair of the Cultural Partnership. “The Southsea Comedy Festival shows will be one of the few opportunities to see Eddie live in the UK during 2014” 

The Southsea Show is a separate family event which will run from August 1 to August 3, also on the Common. Open from 10am to 6pm daily, the Southsea Show will feature family friendly activities, shows and attractions, including a petting farm, vintage fun fair, sports activities, storytelling, music, theatre, dance and a colourful carnival finale.

PCP who is organizing both events consist of local organisations; including The Cellars, Wedgewood Rooms, King’s Theatre, the Portsmouth Cultural Trust (Guildhall management), Technical Services, MG Security, Love Southsea and Express FM.

Doors for the Comedy Festival will open at 7pm, and the line-up for each show will include a variety of acts alongside Eddie Izzard’s full length show.  Tickets for both the Southsea Comedy Festival and Southsea Show go on sale Thursday May 15 at 9am, available on 0844 847 2362 and online here.