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It’s back! Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival brings the laughs

Categoriesnews Arts and parksnews

Image captionImage 1: Comic and Hammersmith Grove resident Bill Bailey

The Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival returns next month with a bill full of rib-busting stand ups. And it’s all been blessed by Hammersmith’s king of comedy – Bill Bailey.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has teamed up with comedy promoters Show And Tell to unveil the third edition of the popular festival, which runs from 18 to 23 June.

This year’s line-up of comedians includes Tim Key, Fin Taylor, Caroline Mabey, Prince Abdi, Simon Munnery and Monkey and Roy featuring Nina Conti and Shenoah Allen.

“We’re putting Shepherds Bush on the map as a major destination for comedians ahead of the Edinburgh comedy festival,” said Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for the Economy and the Arts.

Shows will be held at The Grove, The Princess Victoria, Bush Hall, White City Place, Shepherds Bush Market and the Bush Theatre.

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Image caption: Image 2: Comic Caroline Mabey

Ambassador Bailey

Comic and Hammersmith Grove resident Bill Bailey is the ambassador for this year’s comedy festival.

“The Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival grows year on year, promotes local comedians while encouraging the use of our local venues. We are growing our own talent and boosting the local economy,” added Bailey.

One of the fast-rising comedians performing at the festival is Archie Maddocks who will be part of a charity fundraiser comedy evening at White City Place in Wood Lane on 22 June.

The comic – who previously worked with the Bush Theatre – first broke onto the comedy scene back in 2016 following his popular debut show ‘Shirts vs Skins’. He has since gone on to tour South Africa and the United States. He will be joined by Prince Abdi and comedy musician Grant Buse on the night.

Buy tickets for Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival: Saturday Live At White City Place

Tim Key will headline a show at Bush Hall in Uxbridge Road on 21 June, which includes Nina Conti alongside Shenoah Allen as the comedy duo ‘Monkey and Roy’.

Buy your tickets for Bush Hall Presents with Tim Key

Caroline Mabey tops the bill at the Princess Victoria pub in Uxbridge Road on 19 June, with Njambi McGrath and Phileo Huff also set to perform.

Meanwhile, The Grove pub in Hammersmith Grove will host three comedy nights on 18, 20 and 23 June.

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Image caption: Image 3: Comedian Archie Maddocks

The line-up includes Amy Howerska, who writes for BBC Radio 4 and is currently writing her own sitcom called ‘Drop Zone Kidz’ plus Britain’s Got Talent contestant Gatis Kandis.

Arts strategy

The comedy festival forms part of the council's arts strategy (pdf 627KB) to make H&F an international beacon of the arts.

The council is working towards making the borough’s vibrant arts scene an integral part of a dynamic local economy which fosters local jobs, businesses and economic growth.

“The comedy festival is part of our efforts to make H&F one of the leading arts destinations in the country,” added Cllr Jones.

More details on the comedy festival schedule and ticket sales will appear shortly.

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