Programme for Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival unveiled
bosses say the festival in its 15th year has the biggest line-up yet
Organisers of the Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival are promising the biggest line-up yet.
The programme for the 15th festival has been unveiled and includes performances from TV comic Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle and Sue Perkins alongside less well known comics.
It kicks off from Thursday 9 – Sunday 26 March 2017.
Organises say it has a reputation for showcasing the very best in local talent and this year includes the likes of Fred MacAulay, Des Clarke and Craig Hill.
The eighteen-day festival takes in stand up, sketches, improv, theatre, film and family fun, with shows putting a comedic spin on everything from gin to gussets, football to climate change.
Sarah Watson, Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival Director, said: “We’ve pulled out all the stops for our fifteenth year and are very pleased to be offering festival goers our biggest programme ever.
"It’s great to have new venues like the Riverside Museum and Barras Art And Design on board, and our new partnership with title sponsors Glasgow Live will make it even easier for visitors and locals to keep up with all the latest festival news.
"2017’s Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival offers something for every taste and budget so I hope people will dive in to the programme, make a date to see their favourite comedian and hopefully discover some brilliant new acts too.”
The Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival is supported by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and EventScotland and recently won Best Large Festival at the Scottish Event Awards.
Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “Some of the biggest names in comedy have graced the stages of the Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival over the years and the calibre of this year’s programme is again a strong reflection of this – it’s diverse, bold and packed with an eclectic mix of top performers from the UK and internationally. “Glaswegians are renowned for their hospitality and good humour so it’s no surprise that we’re home to one of the best comedy festivals in the world, which perfectly encapsulates our city’s personality.
"We're also well used to staging major events with global appeal and with more than 470 shows across 50 venues, visitors and locals alike are in for a real treat.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We are delighted to support the Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival, which has quickly grown to become one of the most highly-acclaimed comedy festivals in the UK.”
“Scotland is the perfect stage for cultural events, and the 2017 programme is testament to this, celebrating the very best of both local and international talent. I have no doubt that this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever.”
Gregor Kyle, Editor of Glasgow Live said: “For 15 years now this city has provided the perfect stage for Europe’s biggest comedy festival. Rising stars, household names and global acts have all played the Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival and on this 15th outing it’s shaping up to be the biggest to date.”
“As a fledgling news site, dedicated to promoting what’s best about this city, for Glasgow Live to be involved as headline sponsor is a great honour. We’ve been looking forward to the 2017 event for a long time now and now that it’s finally arrived, it’s looking like exceeding our expectations.”