BlackpoolComedy Festival

A masterful storyteller with one of the most amiable and easy-going stage presences on the comedy circuit today, Harry Stachini’s latest show, Grenade, examines honesty. Most of us are carrying honesty grenades. Some are small, like farting in a lift and owning up to it. But some are truly massive. Harry’s was medium to large and once he pulled the pin; it destroyed an eight-year relationship, a mortgage and a blue whippet. Relationships, family dynamics and his years spent teaching future serial killers are all brought under the comedy spotlight in this show. Stachini serves up an hour of relatable, honest, and hilarious stand-up, shining a light on the Grenades we all carry.

Nominated for Best Show at The Ish Edinburgh Comedy Award and Top 10 Jokes of The Fringe 2024 – The Telegraph. 

‘Modern observational storytelling at its best’ – On The Mic

‘Stachini is hilarious… He has the ability to sweep you up into his tall tales and work in some seriously funny quips’ – Entertainment Now 

‘A perfect show for anyone who wants to laugh will tick every box for comedy fan. Not to be missed’ – Pepper & Salt

‘A comically tight show’  – Edinburgh Festival Mag

Amassed millions of views across his social media with his stand-up clips. and his first podcast series, The Staff Room Podcast (where teachers share their anonymous stories from the classroom) was nominated for Best Comedy at The British Podcast Awards. 

Kieran Cooper & Matt Davenport are pulling together their one-man shows to make one big unforgettable comedy show. Two polar opposites with hilarious and unique views of the world!

A heart condition, coming from a family of 11 and being a ginger – Kieran is a modern day superhero…and an unlucky son of a gun. Comedy from the heart (condition) with its struggles and highs, being one of the youngest kids in the UK to have a pacemaker and living with his big and wild family.

Matt takes us on a journey through all the things he can’t be bothered with (and some he could be). In his 40th year on the planet he will treat you to some tales and gags about his unenthusiastic approach to life.

Tickets coming soon

Get ready for a night of laughter and jaw-dropping entertainment with the Paul Zerdin.

Featuring the remarkable talents of ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, the show brings to life a delightful cast of characters including Sam, the cocky teenager; Albert, the 96-year-old with a razor sharp wit; and the Baby, who hilariously believes the world revolves around him.

As a former America’s Got Talent winner, Paul promises an evening of top-notch stand-up comedy and ventriloquism, including his famous human dummy routine with an exciting new twist.

Don’t miss this unforgettable show opening the Blackpool Comedy Festival for 2025!

Recommended ages: 14+ years. Some adult themes – PG advised

————————————————————————————————————–

The last few years have been extremely busy for the America’s Got Talent 2015 winner, on both sides of the Atlantic. 2016 saw Zerdin head to The Las Vegas Strip for a headline residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.2017 and 2018 saw Paul appear on spin-off shows America’s Got Talent – The Champions and Britain’s Got Talent – The Champions. Since then Paul has toured the US and UK with his critically acclaimed ‘All Mouth’ and ‘Puppet Party’ shows.

Zerdin wasn’t available for comment but his character Sam in his absence said: “It’s so exciting to be back on the road in the UK. We’ve played Hollywood, New York, Vegas and now…Bedford! I just hope we can all get through the tour without a big bust up like last time!”Zerdin is arguably the UK’s number one ventriloquist and made his TV debut in 1993 as the host of GMTV’s ‘Rise and Shine’. He then went on to win ITV’s The Big Big Talent Show, hosted by Jonathan Ross.

Since then he has appeared on countless TV shows including;

• The World Stands Up (Comedy Central)
• The Stand Up Show BBC!
• Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival
• Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford (ITV1)
• Tonight at The London Palladium with Bruce Forsyth and Bradley Walsh (ITV1)
• Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show (BBC1)
• The Royal Variety Performance.

Winning Series 10 of America’s Got Talent in September 2015, Zerdin and his sidekicks soon went viral on YouTube, receiving millions of views from around the world.

“Technically immaculate, it’s what he does with his slick talent that really sets him apart. His relationship with the characters has all the dramatic tension of a real life double act”
^{– The Guardian}“

A ventriloquist for South Park generation”
^{– The Stage}“

When you are not laughing you are simply in awe”
^{– Three Weeks in Edinburgh}

Spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest – direct from the West End and now heading to Winter Gardens Blackpool!

With fifteen years as an Edinburgh Fringe must-see phenomenon, a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe with their ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity.

A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance of this award-winning show as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results. These incredible performers are guaranteed to impress as they create shows packed with drama, dazzling dance routines and catchy melodies – and it’s all made up on the spot!

So whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital or Sondheim in the Sahara, you suggest it and The Showstoppers will sing it!

After a successful and extensively extended tour of his 2022 show Stretch and Think (which you can catch in full on YouTube), he’s back on the road with this new show.

The story covers subjects ranging from pantomimes to dreams, how to behave in hospitals, small talk, realising his Mum is a northern version of Columbo, and how being a smart-mouthed kid saved him from a life of continually being beaten up.

Above all else, it’s the Justin you have to come to expect. It’s funny and interesting, and perhaps there’s a little bit that warms the soul, too.

★★★★“Skilful crafting…he keeps the laughs coming” British Theatre Guide

Age 14+, attendees under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Doors 7pm – Show 8pm

Comedy duo Black Liver (AKA Ruth and Keith) present a night of games, songs, stories and silliness about the show town that is Blackpool, using research from Showtown’s archive, personal experience and some made up facts.

Featuring stars and celebrities that have graced local stages, Ruth and Keith will be challenging the audience to battle it out to win Black Liver’s Big Brilliant Show-Offs Trophy.

Expect to be dazzled and astounded by the game show that goes where no other game show has dared go before!

As seen on BBC1, Sky TV & heard on BBC Radio 4

This show was commissioned by Showtown as part of the Funny Bones Residency.

Recommended ages: All ages. People that like history and a bit of silliness!

Russ Brown presents The House of Secrets Magic Show.

Packed with close up magic, illusions and stage magic, this family show has something for everyone and promises an evening like no other in Blackpool.

Experience magic and illusion in the intimate surroundings of the House of Secrets for a night out to remember!

Here he is! Yorkshire’s biggest bastard.

BBC New Comedy, and Edinburgh Newcomer Winner Frankie Monroe is back for another hour of laughs, tricks and mucky bitter. Join the owner of the Misty Moon (a working mens club in Rotherham that is also a portal to hell) as he does his biggest show yet!

****VENUE TBC****

‘The sort of breakthrough you come to the Fringe to see’ – Times

Winner – BBC New Comedy Award 2023 

Winner – Best Show Leicester Comedy Festival 2024

Winner – Chortle Student Comedy Award 2021

Winner – Edinburgh Comedy Awards – Best Newcomer 2024

Recommended ages: 18+ years

Showtown presents a humorous adventure around Blackpool town centre for the whole family!

A couple of precious artefacts disappeared from the museum during a magic trick that went wrong… can you help us find them? Dust off the clues with your tickling sticks, zigzag through Blackpool in a clown car and outwit a puppet to bring them back to Showtown.

Learn about history with a laugh along the way!

Recommended for ages 6+.

A fabulous and fractured exploration of adoption, addiction, and ego. Varnish is a solo show, starring stand-up comedian Jonathan Mayor in his dramatic debut.

THIS SHOW WILL BE PERFORMED IN THE BLACKPOOL GRAND STUDIO 

“I was chosen. Right from the start. My parents adopted me. They weren’t prepared to leave the quality of their offspring to chance.”

It takes star quality to get adopted. And Jonathan Mayor has star quality.

Join him for a star-studded audience with this prince of stage and screen, as he reminds us just how talented he is.

A Night of Stand-Up Gold at the Blackpool Comedy Festival!

Get ready for a blockbuster night of comedy as Manford’s Comedy Club headlines the Blackpool Comedy Festival 2025! This unmissable show will bring four top stand-ups to the legendary Opera House for an evening packed with big laughs, sharp wit, and unforgettable performances.

Line-up

MC: Hayley Ellis – A festival favourite, Hayley’s infectious energy and razor-sharp observations will have you in stitches from the start.

Emmanuel Sonubi – As seen on Live at the Apollo, Emmanuel’s quick wit and larger-than-life stage presence make him one of the UK’s most exciting comics.

Maisie Adam – Mock The Week regular and comedy powerhouse Maisie Adam delivers fast-paced, high-energy hilarity with her trademark Northern charm.

Russell Howard – One of the biggest names in British comedy, Russell brings his world-famous storytelling and infectious humour to the Opera House stage for a night of laugh-out-loud entertainment.

Join us for a stand-up spectacle like no other, featuring the very best of British comedy in one of the UK’s most iconic venues

Inspired by the famed Covent Garden, Blackpool’s Festival Square will bring the magic of live street performance to the heart of the resort for the Blackpool Comedy Festival 2025. Over the festival’s closing weekend, 31 May – 1 June, St John’s Square will transform into an open-air arena of laughter, spectacle, and world-class entertainment.

Throughout the day, an incredible line-up of comedy street performers, physical comedians, and interactive entertainers will take to the streets, delivering jaw-dropping stunts, high-energy comedy, and unforgettable audience interactions. From hilarious improv acts to mind-blowing circus skills and slapstick routines, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

With back-to-back performances from 11am to 5pm, the atmosphere will be electric as some of the UK’s top street performers bring their unique brand of humour to Blackpool. Inspired by the vibrant street theatre scene of Covent Garden, Festival Square will celebrate the art of live performance, where comedy meets spectacle in an unforgettable setting.