THE dale’s comedy club Funny Way To Be has lined up 14 live comedy shows for the first five months of 2023.
The schedule includes award winners, household names, high profile variety acts, top children’s entertainers and stars from TV and radio.
Promoter Peter Dixon said: “Our programme for the early part of 2023 presents a packed and varied schedule for people of all ages and tastes in humour.
“We are fortunate enough to have been able to programme a range of shows spanning from stars about to embark on an arena tour with a live version of a top podcast show to entertainment for all the family including magicians and ventriloquists.”
All shows will be staged at The Witham, Barnard Castle, and the season starts with one of the UK’s favourite comedians, Hal Cruttenden, on Thursday, January 20.
After 21 years and 224 days Hal’s back being single. Instead of getting therapy, he’s made a cracking show about it.
The following night, Friday January 21, Carl Hutchinson is trying out the new material. After a mammoth 87 date run in 2022, he got back to work on what promises to be his best show yet.
Selling out in a matter of minutes was another work-in-progress show, planned for Monday, January 30, with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe as they warm up for the highly anticipated UK arena tour of their hit podcast Parenting Hell.
With nearly 50 million downloads, the chart-topping podcast has seen them discuss the highs and lows of parenting as well as life in general.
Zoe Lyons has kept herself busy in the last couple of years by having what can best be described as a monumental midlife crisis.
She will explore the funny side of all these twists and turns on Saturday, February 11.
After a sold-out debut run, Tom Houghton is embarking on a second triumphant tour across the UK, arriving in Barnard Castle on Saturday, March 4.
Meanwhile, TV and radio favourite Lucy Porter delivers a brand new stand-up show on Saturday, March 25.
She’s a regular on Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show and seen on Would I Lie to You, QI and Live at the Apollo.
The Varnishing Days is the new show from stand up comedian to the stars John Kearns. He brings his tour so to The Witham on Friday, March 31.
On consecutive days of the Easter holidays there are two family shows.
On the afternoon of Friday, April 7, magicians Morgan & West present captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in a fun for all the family science extravaganza.
The following day, Saturday April 8, you can see Steve Howlett share his masterclass of ventriloquism, laughter and characters.
Meet Chii Chii, Pongo &Tina, Rod Vegas, Arthur Lager and Steve as they take you on a journey of fun.
Rhys James is right back where he belongs: on tour around the country. One of the final Mock The Week regulars and star of Live At The Apollo, his previous tour sold out more than 70 dates nationwide.
His show on Thursday, April 13, in Barnard Castle, is another that is also close to having a sold out sticker added to the poster.
Sophie Duker was a best Edinburgh newcomer nominee and the winner of the last series of Taskmaster.
A rising star heading to the top, catch her in Barnard Castle on Thursday, April 20.
Simon Brodkin is fresh from a critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run and is becoming the most viewed British comedian of all time on TikTok. His alter-ego is, of course, the world-famous prankster Lee Nelson.
Simon Brodkin will be back in Barnard Castle on Saturday, April 29.
Another star back on the road with a new show is Fin Taylor, who will perform on Friday, May 5.
A new name to many will be Emmanuel Sonubi, but give a year or two and Funny Way to Be Comedy predicts he’s going to be a household name.
A 2022 Edinburgh Award Nominee and star of Live At The Apollo, he has only been on the comedy circuit for a short time and his final first tour show date is at Barnard Castle on Wednesday, May 31.
Mr Dixon added: “The spring season is going to be one of our very busiest with 14 shows already booked, and the possibility of an odd one or two more to follow.
“As well as welcoming back several highly popular acts we are delighted that eight artists are bringing tour shows to us for the first time.”
For more information, and to subscribe to the Funny Way To Be Comedy newsletter with regular ticket pre-sales, special offers, ticket information and returns for sold out shows, go to www.funnywaytobe.com
