Jimmy Carr and Paul Merton among comics heading for Glasgow

Published on Wednesday 14 January 2009 13:46

COMEDIANS Jimmy Carr and Paul Merton will perform at this year's Glasgow International Comedy festival, it was unveiled today.

The event, in its seventh year, has 370 shows at 51 venues across the city – making it bigger than last year's event.

Organisers said they hope the comedians will help audiences forget the economic gloom, with household names such as Ross Noble, Clive James and Ed Byrne among the performers.

Scottish Comedy Agency director Tommy Sheppard said: "For many people these are difficult times and it will get worse before it gets better. More than ever people need cheering up – and that's exactly what we'll do."

The programme was unveiled by comedian Rhona Cameron.

This year the event will be involved in Homecoming Scotland 2009, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns by welcoming back those with Scottish ties.

Jerry Sadowitz and Arnold Brown are among those on the bill, while comics from the US, Canada and The Netherlands will also appear.

Jimmy Carr will perform at the city's Clyde Auditorium, while Paul Merton's Impro Chums will be at the King's Theatre.

Glasgow comedians Tam Cowan and Bob Doolally are in the line-up while from further afield come comics such as Ardal O'Hanlon and John Hegley.

Baillie Gordon Matheson said the event is good for the city.

"The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival is now the largest comedy festival in Europe, entertaining thousands of locals and visitors each year.

"Once again, the festival team has organised a fantastic programme offering an impressive mix of home-grown and international talent.

"The festival, which is now a firm favourite in the city's annual events calendar, also reinforces Glasgow's growing reputation as one of the top live entertainment centres in Britain."

The festival began in 2003 with about 120 shows in 12 venues.

This year's 18-day event, sponsored by Magners Irish Cider, runs from 12-29 March and has 104,000 tickets for sale.

Paul Bush, of the EventScotland agency, said: "Glasgow's International Comedy Festival has grown phenomenally over the past seven years to become one of the most well attended and highly acclaimed comedy festivals in the UK.

"This year the event forms an exciting part of our Homecoming programme and as such will be welcoming performers and audiences from around the world with an affinity for Scotland.

"I have no doubt that the event will be bigger and better than ever."