Nine comedians have been announced to join the impressive line-up for the 2022 Aberdeen International Comedy Festival, marking the halfway point in the festivals planned programme of around 50 shows.
Daliso Chaponda, Justin Moorhouse, Kai Humphries will all perform solo stand up shows plus Jojo Sutherland, Gareth Waugh, Conor Burns, Mark Nelson and Liam Farelly who, together with Kai Humphries will form the line-up for two comedy cabaret style nights titled Supernova!
And finally internationally acclaimed unscripted, unplanned and unbelievably funny improvised comedy troupe The Men With Coconuts are back in the Granite City weaving their magic into sketches, stories and songs based entirely on audience suggestions.
Finalist of Britain’s Got Talent and star of BBC Radio 4’s Citizen of Nowhere Daliso Chaponda says he is glad to “finally be back out of the house and on a stage” and will bring his new show Apocalypse Not Now to OGV Podium on Thursday 13 October. Described as being “Full of sharp one-liners and well crafted gags” this master of satire promises to take one of the slickest, sharpest looks at life as part of the festival.
Renowned for his very high gag rate and promising to deliver a show that just keeps the laughs coming Justin Moorhouse takes his show Stretch & Think to the Douglas Hotel on Sunday 9 October. Covering everything from self-improvement to Stig look-a-likes Justin, who’s got a new suit for the occasion is sure to charm the pants off the crowd.
Audiences are in for a real treat when happy go lucky Geordie comedian Kai Humphries joins the festival line up in his own right for the first time with his show Mischief at Union Kirk on Sunday 9 October.
Phenomenally funny Kai is a multi award-winning stand-up, podcaster and author. He has toured live in 53 countries with Daniel Sloss, opening in massive theatres and arenas all over the world. Co-star of the brilliantly funny podcast 'Sloss and Humphries on the Road', Kai is also an author, producer and has created and toured eight solo shows around Australia and off-Broadway in New York.
New for this year’s festival are two comedy cabaret shows called Supernova featuring the hottest comedians from 2022’s Edinburgh Fringe. For two nights only audiences can join some of Scotland’s best comedy talent, all celebrated solo headline acts in their own right, getting together to bring the funny to Aberdeen International Comedy Festival.
The first of the Supernova shows features Gareth Waugh who is a master of delivering whimsical, superb left of field punchlines, one of the fastest rising new stars of Scottish comedy Connor Burns alongside the legendary and brilliant stand up JoJo Sutherland who completes and headlines for the line-up on Saturday 8 October at Union Kirk.
Sunday 9 October sees the second Supernova gig at Union Kirk with the host of BBC’s hit show “The Good, the Bad & the Unexpected” Mark Nelson headlining alongside Kai Humphries and 2021 winner of Scottish Comedian of the Year and finalist in 2021 for the BBC New Comedy Award, Liam Farrelly.
Commenting on the latest announcement Shona Byrne, Festival Manager said “Audiences can expect wonderfully crafted gags at all of these gigs. We’ve got some of the best comedians from Scotland as part of the one off Supernova nights, but we’ve also thrown in a Geordie for good measure!
“All of these acts offer something different but the one thing they have in common is that they are all set to make the city howl with laughter.
“This year we are bringing a host of new venues in as festival spots and its brilliant to see places like of Union Kirk and Cheerz join our more established festival spaces such as the Douglas Hotel.
“The festival is all about showcasing the city and all it has to offer. Aberdeen is a great place to visit and the comedy festival provides locals and visitors with a compelling reason to come into the city centre, do some shopping, grab a bite to eat, meet with friends for a drink and for those travelling from further away there is a fantastic selection of places to stay offering comedy lovers a great opportunity to enjoy a short break in the city.
“We look forward to bringing lots of laughter back to the city centre this October. There is nothing better than seeing a comedy show live and up close and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the festival.”
Men with Coconuts have been a firm festival favourite since its inception in 2016. Steve Worsley, one of the bunch told us "I was Aberdeen born and bred so it's always a pleasure to come back and perform in my hometown. We've had some amazing times here and the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival is always a highlight for us. Can't wait to be back."
One of the new festival venues is OGV Podium on Windmill Brae, Kenny Dooley, Director commented "The OGV Podium are delighted to be one of the hosting venues for Aberdeen's International Comedy Festival 2022!
“As a newly opened venue, we want to highlight Aberdeen as a top destination for a variety of acts, performances and events as well as showcase the local talent we have within the North East of Scotland."
The Aberdeen International Comedy Festival will run at a multitude of city venues, bars and clubs over the course of 11 days from Thursday 6 October until Sunday 16 October 2022. It will continue to shine a spotlight on local talent as well as showcasing the best acts on both the national and international comedy circuit. The festival has been organised and promoted in its entirety by Aberdeen Inspired since 2016.
Tickets for all shows go on sale tomorrow, Friday 27 May at 10am and are expected to be snapped up fast. Ticket prices (including booking fee), dates and performance times are:
Supernova! The HOTTEST Comedians from 2022’s Edinburgh Fringe:
Union Kirk, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October, 8.00pm, £17 or both nights for £27.50
Men With Coconuts: Douglas Hotel, Sunday 9 October, 4pm, £11
Kai Humphries: Mischief!, Union Kirk, Sunday 9 October, 6.15pm, £11
Justin Moorhouse: Stretch & Think, Douglas Hotel, Sunday 9th October 2022, 8.00pm, £17
Daliso Chaponda: Apocalypse Not Now, OGV Podium, Thursday 13 October, 8.00pm, £17
For more information and to buy tickets go to www.aberdeencomedyfestival.com