17 - 19 MAY 2024
Festival Programme 2024
Festival Programme 2024
Bonus Show - Thursday 16 May
Reading Biscuit Factory
Paul F Taylor: Head in the Clouds
7:30pm
Venue
Reading Biscuit Factory, Oxford Road, Reading, UK
NB - this show is not included in the Reading Indie Comedy Festival pass BUT pass holders will get a discount using a promo code.
After a several year absence, professional odd-ball Paul F Taylor returns with a supremely silly new show. Paul has been a man that has always thrown himself to the gods of chaos. Growing up; people often accused him of having his head in the clouds.
Day 1 Friday 17 May
The Purple Turtle
Reading New Comedian of the Year Competition 2024
7:30pm
Venue
The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR
Reading's second ever independent comedy festival will take place between Friday 17 May and Sunday 19 May 2024.
Kicking off the festival is Reading New Comedian of the Year Competition 2024 taking place at The Purple Turtle on Friday 17 May between 7:30pm and 9:30pm.
8 new comedians will battle it out to win a paid spot at Mates Rates Comedy Club and a cash prize.
The Roseate
Andy Gleeks: These Fragments I Have Shored Against My Ruin
Venue
The Roseate Reading, RG1 3EJ
8pm
Andy Gleeks has a club set high on "really strong gags that always go down well with everyone" (Catford Comedy Club), gags which focus on his past and present lives in Northern Ireland and England. His conversational and anecdotal style is 'warm, engaging and naturally funny' (Matt Bragg) in its self deprecation.
Day 2 Saturday 18 May
The Purple Turtle
Geoff Steel: Out to Lunch
12pm
Venue
The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR
The greatest philosopher of our time, will be presenting through the medium of comedy. A mind altering show that will transcend you to a higher spiritual place and ultimately bring world piece.
Or not... either way. Only one way to find out.
Luke Mother F***ing Chilton
2pm
Venue
The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR
“some of the most hilarious, interesting and unique routines I’ve ever seen…There is a chance that my recommendation will, if anything, hinder his chances of being booked so I can only apologise.” Vittorio Angelone (Social Media sensation)
“He kills very hard….He also is very nice. Fuck.” Bobby Mair (as seen on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Never Mind the Buzzcocks + more)
Reading Indie Comedy Festival presents: Darren Harriott
4pm
Venue
The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR
First Black British stand-up nominated for the main Edinburgh Comedy Award
Double Edinburgh Award nominee Darren Harriott’s TV includes, Dancing on Ice, co-host of Love Island: Aftersun, Britain’s Best Takeaway with Sara Cox, British as Folk, host of Live at the Apollo and Dog Ate My Homework, team captain on four series of Guessable and series regular on Don’t Hate the Playaz.
The Roseate
Alex Kitson: Must I Paint You a Picture? (WIP)
12:30pm
Venue
The Roseate Reading, RG1 3EJ
Alex Kitson is an award-winning comedian with a secret. One he's fed up of keeping. Come watch this 'incredible... so clever' (BBC Radio Bristol) 'master of his craft' (Capers Comedy) work towards his highly anticipated debut hour - the show he never thought he'd do. A story about naivety, hope and why horses are so bloody sexy.
The Outlook
Reading Indie Comedy Festival present: Harriet Kemsley
3pm
Venue
The Outlook, RG1 3BJ
Harriet is an award winning comedian, writer and actress. She has starred in the Viceland reality sitcom Bobby and Harriet: Get Married which she co-created and co-wrote with her husband Bobby Mair, to huge critical acclaim. She can also be seen on Dave's Hypothetical, ITV's Hey Tracey, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, and is a recurring guest on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats.
Rhodri Buttrick: Unnecessary Vanity Project
5pm
Venue
The Outlook, RG1 3BJ
Half Welsh, half English Rhodri is a rare concoction of sarcasm and silliness.
Leave logic at the door and allow this anarchic eccentric to show you the world from his peculiar perch.
Double-Barrelled Brewery
Comedy at the Taproom Showcase 2024 with Headliner: Gary Delaney
Venue
Double-Barrelled Brewery, RG1 3BJ
7:30pm
Double Sony Award Winner • Regular On Mock The Week • Chortle Award Nominee
He loves each and every gag and you can’t help but be carried away by his infectious charm. He’s like a cheeky schoolboy who can barely hide his glee with each and every punch line.
Day 3 Sunday 19 May
Milk Bar
Dan Collins: Disastermind (W.I.P)
Venue
Milk Bar, RG1 1DT
12:30pm
Have you ever said "You too" to a waiter who told you to enjoy your meal?
Ever spent an hour looking for the phone that is currently in your hand?
Then oh boy do I have a show for you. Join me on a journey deep inside my mind as I try to explain the Mayhem of my life. Buckle in folks. It's time to embrace your inner idiot!
Reading Indie Comedy Festival present: Michael Odewale
2:30pm
Venue
Milk Bar, RG1 1DT
BAFTA winning Team Writer / Performer, Michael Odewale has fast gained recognition for his distinctive comic style.
A fresh and unfiltered voice known for delivering sharp and beautifully executed content, his debut show #BlackBearsMatter won Best Show at both the 2019 Leicester Comedy Festivals and achieved critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019, earning him a nomination for Best Newcomer in the Dave Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
His impressive performance credits include Live at The Apollo (BBC), Friday Night Live (C4) and Live from The Moth Club (Dave).
Charlie George’s Divine Comedy (Work in Progress)
4:30pm
Venue
Milk Bar, RG1 1DT
A WIP debut hour of explosive physical comedy & stand up from LGBTQ Comedian of the Year award winner & So You Think You’re Funny & Funny Women Awards runner up.
Meet Charlie George: a queer, autistic, mixed-race, working class, ex-Jehovah’s Witness; escape artist & walking doomsday survival guide! Charlie left her childhood home so fast, even the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse couldn't catch her - which isn’t a nice nickname for your Aunties.
Reading Indie Comedy Festival present: Matt Bragg
Venue
Milk Bar, RG1 1DT
5:30pm
The son of television warm up man Bobby Bragg, Matt has been performing stand up all over the country for the last 7 years. With a unique, low energy, deadpan style and meticulously crafted material he has been gaining critical acclaim from audiences, promoters and comedians alike.
The Sunday Roast, Presented by Roast Battle UK
8pm
Venue
Milk Bar, RG1 1DT
THE SHOW THAT TURNS SMACK TALK INTO AN ART FORM!
ROAST BATTLE UK PUTS TWO COMEDIANS HEAD-TO-HEAD IN A BATTLE OF WIT AND PUT-DOWNS. EACH COMIC HAS 5 JOKES TO ”ROAST” THEIR OPPONENT. THE OPPONENT CAN RESPOND WITH AN OFF THE CUFF REBUTTAL. ULTIMATELY, THE WINNER IS DECIDED BY A GUEST PANEL OF AUDACIOUS JUDGES.
The Purple Turtle
What's The Game Improv Reading Comedy Festival Showcase 2024
1pm
Venue
The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR
Mad Monkey Improv and What's the Game are teaming up to present the Reading Improv Comedy Festival Showcase!
Improv comedy, created spontaneously by the performers... anything can happen.
Experience the very best of the Reading improv scene!
Hosted by veteran improvisers Alexander McWilliam and Seamus Allen.
Kathyrn Mather: Please Just Give Me A Chance
3pm
Venue
The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR
Join award-winning comedian Kathryn Mather in this slightly dark, slightly whimsical show about finding love and finding yourself against the backdrop of the pandemic.
“Wickedly accomplished… a thrilling rhythm and seamless flow… and the gags come at such a relentless rate. Mather positively revels in the macabre with a playful zeal” Rolling Stone UK
Roman Harris: Mr Nice
5pm
Venue
The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR
"Roman Harris has developed a reputation for being a 'Nice Guy' but is he? Really?
Join him for a journey of observational, anecdotal and introspective comedy as he explores his sense of self in a quest to discover whether he deserves the title of Mr. Nice or whether he's actually just a dick!"
Reading Indie Comedy Festival presents: Josh Baulf
7pm
Venue
The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR
Within a few months of performing, British comedian Josh Baulf won the infamous King Gong at The Comedy Store, was shortlisted for the BBC New Comedy Award and reached the finals of the Amused Moose New Comedy Awards.
Josh has performed at the London Palladium and has established himself as a fast-rising star on the UK comedy circuit.