The country’s top comics are currently sharpening their acts before aiming to take the comedy world by storm at the Edinburgh Festival this summer.
But Teesside’s comedy fans have a great chance to see eight of them strut their stuff first – with four nights of exclusive Edinburgh previews heading our way in July.
The previews feature two brand new shows per night, all from a mix of familiar TV faces and some of the most hotly-tipped comics on the circuit – and all for just £10 a ticket.
Justin Moorhouse from Phoenix Nights and Live at the Apollo, and Jo Caulfield from Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Mock The Week are both loved by millions of TV comedy fans.
Geordie legend Gavin Webster and last year’s Edinburgh Award nominee Seymour Mace both have keenly anticipated new shows.
And Live at the Apollo and 8 Out of 10 Cats writer Geoff Norcott, the hotly-tipped Brennan Reece, popular festival regular John Gordillo and huge Catch 22 Comedy Club favourite Danny McLoughlin will all be flexing their comedy muscles before heading up to Edinburgh.
Peter Vincent of promoters Ten Feet Tall, who worked with ARC to bring the shows to Stockton, said: “Edinburgh is pretty much the most exciting time of the year in the comedy world – and the preview season in the weeks leading up to the festival itself is pretty much the same buzz as the run-up to Christmas for the rest of us mere mortals.
“Comics are excited, audiences are excited, and everyone’s looking forward to either discovering something brand new or simply seeing someone they already love absolutely burst out and make the rest of the world sit up and take notice.
“So we’ve got four great nights ahead of us here, all in a gorgeously intimate studio that feels like the comics are right there in your own front room. And, without jinxing anything, let’s see who goes on to storm Edinburgh this summer.”
The line-ups are (with show titles in brackets) …
• Thursday 14 July: Justin Moorhouse (People & Feelings) & John Gordillo (Love Capitalism).
• Saturday 23 July: Jo Caulfield (Pretending to Care) & Gavin Webster (Jesus Christ’s a Window Cleaner Now).
• Wednesday 27 July: Geoff Norcott (Conswervative) & Seymour Mace (S**t Title).
• Thursday 28 July: Danny McLoughlin (Phillip Was Right) & Brennan Reece (Everglow).
Each event starts at 8pm and will take place in the Studio, tickets cost £10 and all events have a 16+ age guidline. Book your ticket now by calling the Box Office on 01642 525199 or by visiting www.arconline.co.uk