John Hegley to headline first Worthing Comedy Festival
Comic performance poet John Hegley is to headline the first ever Worthing Comedy Festival.
Set for 10-12 September, the festival is hosted and organised by Matt's Comedy Club, the up and coming family-friendly comedy showcase that has been running nights in Worthing since 2008.
Author, musician and performance poet Hegley (top), a regular at clubs and festivals all over Europe during the past 25 years, brings his high energy set to two punchy 60-minute shows at the Dome Gallery Bar on 11 September, with support from Worthing's own quirky comic and storyteller Ben Salter.
"We're chuffed to get John Hegley down to Worthing," says Russ, "and we're looking forward to a great few days of high class comedy for all ages. It's a great chance to put Worthing on the comedy map and start a new festival we hope will become a regular part of the town's entertainment landscape."
Rapper, singer and stand-up Jude Simpson (left) headlines at the St Paul's Centre in Chapel Road, Worthing, on Friday 10 September, backed by BBC Radio 4's musical maestro of mirth James Sherwood, in an evening fronted by Matt's Comedy Club MC Russ Bravo.
At lunchtime on Saturday (11 September), Ben Salter, Russ Bravo and guests will be popping up in coffee shops and restaurants in the town around lunchtime with Comedy Lunchbox, a free 15-minute taster session of songs, poems and silliness.
And everything is rounded off on Sunday 12 September with the Comedy Brunchbox – a special topical lunchtime show starring BBC writer and stand-up Paul Kerensa (co-writer of popular sitcoms Miranda and Not Going Out) and the ever popular comedian Andy Kind (below right).
Paul and Andy will be joining Russ Bravo for a topical wander through the Sunday papers, bouncing off the cuff gags off the day's news stories – with plenty of help from the audience at The Dome Function Suite.
The festival schedule – and ticket details are below. Matt's Comedy Club and the Worthing Comedy Festival have pages on Facebook, and you can also see videos from the club's shows at www.youtube.com/mattscomedyclub.
The festival has received welcome support from Worthing Arts Council, Sea Change and Worthing Borough Council.
FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
8pm at St Paul's Centre, Chapel Road, Worthing:
Poet, singer and stand-up Jude Simpson + musical mirthmaker James Sherwood + MC Russ Bravo
...
SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
Comedy Lunchbox with Russ Bravo, Ben Salter & friends – FREE 15-minute taster sessions at coffee shops and restaurants around Worthing, 12pm-2pm. Watch this space (and local press) for details
7.30pm and 9pm at The Dome Gallery Bar, Marine Parade, Worthing:
Performance poet legend John Hegley + Ben Salter
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
12.30-2pm at The Dome Function Suite, Marine Parade, Worthing:
Sunday Comedy Brunchbox – a satirical wander through the Sunday papers with Paul Kerensa, Andy Kind and Russ Bravo
HOW TO GET TICKETS
Tickets for all shows are £7 adults and £5 concessions, available now from:
Parklife, 6 Bath Place, Worthing
Madisons Coffee Shop, 3-5 The Royal Arcade, Worthing
Green Cuisine, 37 Rowlands Road, Worthing
Music Mania, Crescent Road, Worthing
Eclipse Cafe Bar, Goring Road, Worthing
The Dome Function Suite, Marine Parade, Worthing (11 & 12 Sept shows)
St Paul's Centre, Chapel Road, Worthing (10 Sept show)
St Matthew's Church Office, Tarring Road, Worthing (weekday mornings – 01903 207024)
Or call 077200 40456 or 01903 218026
We're also offering a special Friends of Worthing Comedy Festival Pass for £35 – this will admit TWO people to ALL gigs over the weekend (one Saturday night show), saving you £7! Limited numbers available at ticket outlets.
For any further details or enquiries, please contact Russ Bravo.