The Oxford Comedy Festival is back with an incredible 54 comedians and its biggest line-up yet, from international names and TV regulars to rising stars, local legends and podcast favourites.
Organised by QED Comedy Laboratory, all 54 gigs will take place at Trinity College, Tap Social Taproom in Botley and Tap’s White House on Abingdon Road, from July 1-31.
The line-up includes TV stars such as Matt Forde (Have I Got News For You), Olga Koch (Mock the Week), Ivo Graham (Live at the Apollo), Sarah Keyworth (8 Out of 10 Cats), Myq Kaplan (Conan), Fatiha El-Ghorri (The Russell Howard Hour) and Jessica Fostekew (Motherland, Cuckoo).
Kicking off with a star-studded night featuring All Killa No Filla podcast host Rachel Fairburn and Guilty Feminist regular Calya AB, up-and-coming acts like Mamoun Elagab, Louise Atkinson, Lulu Popplewell, Tadiwa Mahlunge, Tatty Macleod, and Louise Young are all previewing their debut solo shows.
“THERE IS A REAL SENSE OF COLLABORATION AND INTIMACY BETWEEN THE ACTS AND THE AUDIENCE”
Local talent will also feature prominently, with Oxford-based comedians like Andrew O’Neill (Never Mind the Buzzcocks), Alex Burgar, Jamie Mykaela, Matt Hobs, and Chortle Student Comedian of the Year 2022, Caitriona Dowden, all previewing shows ahead of their Edinburgh runs.
Oxford stand-up and QED founder Matthew Chadourne said: “We are so excited about the diverse and impressive mix of comedians coming to Oxford to preview their Edinburgh Fringe shows.
“the acts in progress have a wonderfully unpolished and loose feel as comedians try out new material”
“I am really proud of the line-up – from the big names to the next generation of comedians coming through and the representation of LGBTQ, women and people of colour we have in the programme.”
So what’s the secret to Oxford Comedy Festival’s growing success? “Former acts have said that Oxford audiences give really helpful and productive feedback.
“Which means that we are beginning to get a really good reputation for Edinburgh previews, the acts in progress having a wonderfully unpolished and loose feel as the comedians try out new material.
“So there is a real sense of collaboration and intimacy between the acts and the audience, which I don’t think you’ll find anywhere else, making it all a lot of fun.”
Running since 2018, the festival has gathered pace and momentum each year. “The big names help give the up-and-coming comedians the exposure and experience they need while bringing something new to the line-up.
The Oxford Comedy Festival is also combatting the Cost of Laughing Crisis by keeping ticket prices down while still hosting shows in the heart of the city with prices starting at £8.
Shows will be hosted six days a week from July 1-31 at the White House, the Tap Social Brewery, and Trinity College. Tickets are on sale here and most shows are expected to sell out.
The full line-up can be found at https://oxfordcomedyfestival.co.uk/our-acts
