Get lowdown on iconic British TV shows at Morecambe Comedy Festival
Iconic television comedy directors are coming to Morecambe Comedy Festival to give a fascinating glimpse into the making of Red Dwarf, Bottom, The Young Ones and The Two Ronnies.
Bottom director/producer Ed Bye and Paul Jackson, the original producer for the sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, will deliver in-depth conversation on crafting some of Britain's greatest alternative comedy shows.
It’s a coup for the first ever Morecambe Comedy Festival set to celebrate the town’s famous comic heritage with a week-long programme from November 21-28.
The pair - who worked on The Two Ronnies and Bottom and co-directed Filthy Rich and Catflap, the follow up series to The Young Ones - will share classic clips, behind-the-scenes stories and expert insights into the art of screen comedy at the Winter Gardens, November 28, tickets from £22.
Now the festival is two weeks away, free comedy workshops for adults and children are underway.
There’s still plenty of time to sign up and learn how to turn ideas into material in a series of fun, supportive stand-up comedy workshops.
Facilitator /performer Matt Panesh, who is leading the workshops, said: “Absolutely no comedy or performance experience is necessary. You don’t need to be funny already! Just bring your ideas and a willingness to have a go.”
Workshops for adults take place every Monday at West End Playhouse while the children’s workshops are at Morecambe Town Library every Friday.
All details and how to sign up are on the festival page of the council website.
The brand new acts will share their material at a Best of Morecambe Community Night at Morecambe Town Hall, November 27.
The kids’ showcase is 6pm-7pm, and the adults take over at 7.30pm. Free entry, but booking essential.
Morecambe Comedy Festival opens with a trio of comics - Steve Royle, Brennan Reece and Daliso Chaponda at Winter Gardens on November 21.
Steve Royle - the comedian currently portraying Eric Morecambe on stage in The Last Laugh, said: “It’s an absolute belter and brilliant to be going back to Morecambe, and entertaining a town with such a famous comedy heritage.”
Award winning fringe shows run throughout the week with local support at the West End Playhouse. All the fringe shows are free entry / pay what you feel.
Newly announced is Alastair Clark with his show On The Record, about working in an independent record shop and the stark reality of living your dreams. A show that waxes lyrical about crate digging, needle dropping and arguing with children about Limp Bizkit (November 25), it has garnered many glowing reviews calling it ‘fantastically funny and quietly moving’ and ‘insightful, funny and surprising.’
Best Comedy Show award winner at last year’s fringe festival, Mel Bryon, returns for a good old rant (November 23), and musical maestro Stylophobia brings a surreal mix of music and comedy (November 24).
Free caricaturing and street circus workshops will take place during the festival week for more ways to get involved in the fun. The Caricature workshops led by Caricature With Attitude will include live demonstrations, exercises exploring facial features, expressions and exaggeration and a chance to draw fellow participants before sharing the final creations. November 21, Winter Gardens. Space is strictly limited, book a free place to avoid disappointment.
Plate spinning, juggling, diabolo, unicycle and stilts are just a few of the circus skills to try and master at the Street Circus workshops delivered by professional circus and street theatre performers Usefool Entertainment. Open to all ages and abilities. November 22, Festival Market. Free, advance booking recommended.
Comedy-themed SEND family workshops by Connect Play Learn CIC and led by experienced SEND facilitators will offer children the chance to craft a comic; create silly songs; play around with jokes, sketches and story-telling or learn a magic trick. November 22, More Music. Free, sign up essential.
Morecambe Comedy Festival is presented by Morecambe Town Council and produced by Matt Panesh, the founder of the town’s successful poetry and fringe festivals.
To find out more, book tickets and sign up to workshops, visit https://www.morecambe.gov.uk/event-category/morecambe-comedy-festival/