Consett’s famous Comedy Festival returns for it’s second year with a jam packed weekend filled by some of the funniest acts in the industry.
The event will take over Consett Rugby Club from April 27-30, for a weekend promised to be “full of funniness”.
This year, the line up features local Britain’s Got Talent winner Lee Ridley (Lost Voice Guy) and clairvoyant psychic act Clinton Baptiste, played by Alex Lowe.
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Lee Woolhead, Events Manager for the festival, spoke to The Northern Echo about the creation of the festival and what the community can expect this year.
Lee said: “I usually organise comedy club nights in and around the Consett area.
“But, me and my group of friends, we went to a comedy weekend in Southport. We were there one year, and my friend asked me ‘Why have you never done this where you are? Why have they never done this in Consett?’
“So I thought, yeah, I’m going to do it!”
Following last year’s success, 2023’s bumper weekend of acts include a special appearance from comedy legend Bobby Davro.
Lee told the Echo that locals have been thrilled to have such a weekend for the community, adding that initially people were a bit “shocked” such a festival would happen in Consett.
He said: “Events would usually come to Durham or Newcastle, so I think people were a bit shocked it was happening in Consett.”
One headliner from 2022 included London comic Simon Brodkin who plays the character Lee Nelson.
After acts were announced, Lee admitted that festivalgoers didn’t believe comedians would come to Consett.
He said: “People were saying to me, ‘are you sure this is actually happening?’ People couldn’t believe that Simon Brodkin was going to come to Consett.”
Following last year’s highly successful debut of the festival, Lee has plans to make 2023’s show even better.
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He said: “We’ve doubled our numbers from last year, so that’s fantastic. We’ve got three fantastic headline acts.”
Those attending will be able to see Phoenix Night’s Clinton Baptiste, Angelos Epithemiou and Britian’s Got Talent winner Lee Ridley headline the three nights of the festival, with many more comedians alongside them.
A special Saturday afternoon family friendly show is also available, free of charge for children and £8 for adult tickets.
Tickets for the weekend are available here.
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