One of the North East’s greatest stand-up comedy events is returning to close out 2018 in style…and with a lot of laughs.
When The Stand Comedy Club opened in Newcastle in 2011, it was the third venue to open under that name, sharing its name with two venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
To say that The Stand has become a key part of the Newcastle comedy scene in the years since would be an understatement: much like its sister branches, The Stand has successfully hosted stand-up comedians from across the UK while also having a solid variety of local comedians whose lack of national publicity does not stop them from being excellent performers in their own right. The Stand also offers slots to complete newcomers, meaning that many local comedians have likely had their first major gig performing at The Stand.
This year’s Hootfest, which takes place from Saturday 29th to Monday 31st December, brings together several veteran comedians alongside two excellent up-and-coming local comedians to make sure that 2018 ends on a high note for audiences.
The local talent is comprised of the American-born Julie Grady Thomas and Sunderland-based Joby Mageean who both have been involved in the regional comedy circuit for several years – both will be bringing a local flavour to the evening with their fantastic senses of humour.
The veterans comprise of Gary Little, who has not only done many shows across the UK but who has also brought his show to Australia in 2017, and John Scott, who is making his second appearance in as many months at The Stand (his previous show being Faking the News, which he performed on Monday 5th November); John is a veteran on the comedy circuit with almost 20 years of experience since his own first attempt at stand-up comedy at Edinburgh’s Stand in 1999.
Finally, Hootfest will be hosted by Lee Kyle, a local wrestler-turned-comedian who has been performing stand-up since 2009 and whose first full show was at The Stand back in April 2015.
For those wanting to end 2018 with a laugh and a smile, this is one event not to miss! And if you’re a stand-up comedy fan, please make sure you head to The Stand in 2019 too as their stand-up schedule looks superb.
For information regarding the full Hootfest schedule, and for tickets, please head to thestand.co.uk.
