new Cheltenham Comedy Festival announced

The inaugural Cheltenham Comedy Festival has been announced in partnership with eFestivals.

The new event will offes a line-up of top comedians and up and coming stars performing in numerous venues across the town of Cheltenham and is organised by the same team behind Wychwood Festival. The festival will take place from Tuesday 15th until Saturday 19th November 2011.

The brainchild of Graeme Merifield from the towns' already massively successful Wychwood Festival, and Mark Makin, of local arts producers makin projects, The Cheltenham Comedy Festival boasts a line-up that includes Sarah Millican, Ed Byrne, Jeremy Hardy, Boothby Graffoe, The Boy With Tape On His Face, Arthur Smith, Stewart Francis, Miles Jupp, Danielle Ward, Kevin Eldon, Lloyd Langford, Jarred Christmas, James Campbell, John Hegley, Squash Box Theatre, Pete Firman, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, Desmond O'Connor , Monkey Poet, Charlie Baker, Andi Osho, and Ed Gamble.

Graeme Merifield said, "We're delighted to be bringing this new event to Cheltenham. Comedy is always a big feature of the Wychwood Festival, and we've been amazed by the interest The Cheltenham Comedy Festival is already generating."

Mark Makin added, "It's been a real pleasure putting together such an outstanding and diverse schedule of top class performers for the festival. This has been mirrored by the response in ticket sales already, and people joining the mailing list, that there is a real room for a festival of this nature in what is already a quality yearly schedule of top class festivals in the Cheltenham area."

Jo Heatley - Programmer of Cheltenham Town Hall said, "We are thrilled to be part of the team bringing the first Cheltenham Comedy Festival to town. Comedy is one of our biggest sellers, so to be able to do nothing but comedy for 5 days is going to be great fun!"

On the Saturday the event will include a Family fun day at Parabola Arts Centre featuring Squash Box Theatre The Sea Show ages 4+, John Hegley Animal Alphaboat ages 8+, James Campbell ages 7+, comedy storytelling ages 4+, slapstick theatre piece 'Trifle', Jilly Jellybean, walk about and interactive sessions from street performers Maison Foo and Squashbox Theatre, face painting, and free workshops.

For the line-up details as available please click here.

Ticket prices vary depending upon event. Tickets for all events are on sale from Cheltenham Town Hall (0844 576 2210) with some events already sold out. To buy tickets, click here.

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