Andrew Dipper

Creased Comedy: The line-up revealed

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A free comedy festival will launch in Newcastle this summer – and today Giggle Beats can reveal the line-up.

On Saturday 6 July comedians from the local, national and international comedy circuit will descend on Ouseburn Valley for the first Creased Comedy Festival, a one-day showcase at The Cluny 2 (formerly The Round Theatre).

Organised by comedian Simon Buglass in association with NARC Fest, hour-long shows will begin at 12 noon and run until around 11pm.

Sara Pascoe, whose credits include Live At The Apollo, The Thick Of It and Twenty Twelve, is the stand-out name in today’s announcement. The TV star is bringing her latest show, Sara Pascoe vs The Truth, to Tyneside ahead of a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

[pullquote_right]“I’m really looking forward to the Creased Comedy Festival. It’s always a delight to perform in front of your home crowd” Lee Ridley, a.k.a. Lost Voice Guy[/pullquote_right]Nominated for Best New Show in Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival Awards, Lee Ridley’s Voice of Choice is another show heading to Creased Comedy Festival. Ridley, who performs as Lost Voice Guy, has cerebral palsy and cannot speak. Instead, he performs stand-up using an iPad.

After 18 years getting good, Silky blew a year’s rent bringing his first solo hour to Edinburgh last year. He’s doing it all again this August, but not before a quick trip to Newcastle with his new show, It Was This Show or Have Kids.

North East comedian Tony Jameson is also hosting a preview version of his first solo show, Football Manager Ruined My Life.

More names are to be announced in the next two months, organisers have confirmed, as well as details for afternoon and late-night showcases.

Adopting Edinburgh’s Free Fringe ethos, there will be no door charges, however voluntary contributions can be made at the end of each performance – if you like what you see.

Buglass told Giggle Beats: “We’re very excited for the Creased Comedy Festival 2013.

“With the Newcastle Comedy Festival unlikely to take place this year, I think our one-day comedy festival will be an ideal replacement.

“It’ll be great for comedy fans in the region to see shows by some exceptional stand-ups, for free, before anywhere else in the country.

“It’s also a great opportunity for acts to fine tune their shows before taking them to the Edinburgh Fringe in August.”

Continuing our commitment to grass-roots comedy in the North East, Giggle Beats are sponsoring Newcastle’s first free comedy festival and will launch the festival programme online in June.

The event coincides with the return of Ouseburn Festival, a community event aimed at promoting businesses and community spirit in the Ouseburn Valley.

Ouseburn Festival takes place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, with a range of entertainment for all the family.

All events are free entry.