***Update: Zoe Lyons has been replaced by Marcus Brigstocke for Saturday’s gig at Double Barrelled Taproom.
READING is set to see a new comedy festival take over the town with three days of live performances.
Mates Rates Comedy is bringing a full weekend of funny with Reading Indie Comedy Festival this May.
The festival begins on Friday, May 19, with the Reading New Comedian of the Year Competition, which will see 8 rising comics competing for to win a paid set with Mates Rates Comedy Club as well as a cash prize.
The following Saturday will see the Comedy at The Taproom Showcase, where headliner Marcus Brigstocke will perform(stepping in for Zoe Lyons), including support from Sara Baron.
Sara Baron has continued to rise through the ranks with appearances on Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You, and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, as well as sell-out shows at Edinburgh Festival and London’s Soho Theatre.
The Sunday will feature a flurry of sets at Milk Bar, including Emmanuel Sonubi, Glenn Wool, Fional Allen, Nabil Abdulrashid, What’s The Game Improv, and Buttrick and Steel Conquer The World.
The venue will also host the festival’s closing event, The Sunday Roast, presented by Roast Battle UK.
Fans of caustic comedy with an edge can enjoy performers flexing their fiercest insult skills for a no-holds-barred, all-out comeback contest.
A bonus show is also scheduled for Thursday, May 18, which will see Paul Foot headline a show at the Biscuit Factory, with support from Pernille Haaland.
Co-organiser and promoter for Mates Rates Comedy Nick Byard said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase Reading’s thriving independent comedy scene and bring some big names to Reading.
“The £30 festival pass is an absolute bargain but we also have some great options for the more casual festival goer and people on a budget.”
Festival co-organiser and promoter for Laughter Craft Comedy Jonathan Elston said: “We have been hosting some of the biggest names at our new material night at Milk Bar for a while now.
“It will be great to see some of them bringing their exclusive shows to the festival.”
Reading New Comedian of the Year Competition takes place at The Purple Turtle from 7.30pm on Friday, May 19.
Comedy at the Taproom Showcase takes place at Double-Barrelled Brewery from 7.30pm on Saturday, May 20.
The Sunday Roast will take place at Milk Bar from 8.30pm on Sunday, May 21.
A weekend pass to all events costs £30, with tickets for individual shows and events also available.
Full details and tickets are available via: www.fatsoma.com/p/reading-comedy-festival
