The Last Stop To Edinburgh Comedy Festival will arrive in Stockton-on-Tees in October, a new two-day comedy event resulting from kinetic collaboration between Shoe Cake Comedy Club and The Georgian Theatre.
The name of the festival is, of course, a nod to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the marquee event of the UK’s comedy calendar, and both the geographic and cultural proximity of Teesside to Scotland. Logically, the event was planned to take place prior to the Fringe before being scuppered by the upheaval of live performance during 2021, although organisers may run the fest accordingly in future iterations.
Middlesbrough’s Ted Hanky will open proceedings on the Friday evening of 22nd October with a debut show, ‘Secrets of the Side Mouth’. Fellow local act Fran Garrity will follow with ‘50/Fifty’. The first evening will end with ‘Come On My Sofa’ from John &Vaun, the team of John O’Sullivan and a rotating cast of characters from Vaun Earl Norman, looking set to be the opposite of Saturday’s family-friendly daytime shows.
Saturday will start through the late morning and early afternoon with The Discount Comedy Checkout Family Improv Show followed by Jeddy Bear & Gary’s Picnic, nominated for ‘Best Kids’ Show’ at the Leicester Comedy Festival. Free tickets to both events are available to low income families in a very inclusive touch from the festival.
The final stretch of the festival will see an action-packed evening. Emergent Middlesbrough comedian Catherine Young will perform ‘What’s It Going To Be?’ before Canadian Tony Law brings a more surreal vibe to the festivities with the characteristically irreverent, ‘A Now Begin In Again’. The headline act is Bobby Mair with ‘Cockroach’, an opportunity for a sneak peek at the acclaimed performer before his show hits the road. Seasoned vets The Discount Comedy Checkout will officially close the event with an hour of adult improv.
All indications suggest a loose, unpredictable feel to the acts on showcase, characterised by a mixture of new shows, works in progress, improvisational work, touring shows and a true diversity of acts, ranging from those with panel show credentials and awards to a number of less established local comedians. These will take place across a total of nine 60-minute shows over the two days, all taking place at The Georgian Theatre.
Last Stop to Edinburgh is a truly independent event, defined by its grassroots energy, having been constructed and brought to life without any support from funding bodies.
For further information, head to georgiantheatre.co.uk.
