Comedy Zooms into Dockfest
Big Mouth Comes to Hartlepool

The Price is Still Right!

New batch of Dockfest comedy tickets released due to public demand

A further 180 free tickets to see top TV comic Sean Lock at Hartlepool Dockfest in July will be available at Hartlepool Tourist Information Centre from 10am this Friday morning (June 26).

The new batch of tickets will be released due to huge public demand, after the initial batch of over 300 tickets for the evening Big Mouth Comedy Club were snapped up within two hours last Friday (19 June).

Tickets for the afternoon family show with CBBC cartoon favourite Little Howard are also proving popular, and are still available all week from the Tourist Information Centre.

A brand new seating plan for the Big Entertainment Tent also means that the capacity has increased by 180 – meaning more people can get to see what promises to be two of the best comedy line-ups anywhere in the country on Sunday 5 July.

The North-East's biggest Comedy Club is coming to Hartlepool's Dockfest in July!

Organised by Hartlepool Borough Council and promoters Ten Feet Tall, plans are now in full swing for a special 700 capacity comedy tent on Sunday 5 July, with a family show on the afternoon, followed by the now legendary Big Mouth Comedy Club on the evening.

Big Mouth has proved a huge instant hit with Teesside comedy fans since launching at Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt last September.

Held on the first Saturday of each month with some of the best comics on the UK circuit, every show has sold-out in advance, with the Crypt's 400 capacity making Big Mouth the biggest regular comedy club in the North-East.

Headline Act - Sean Lock

Winner of a coveted British Comedy Award for ‘Best Live Performer,’ and described by Ricky Gervais as ‘one of the most influential British stand-ups of the last 10 years,’ Sean is known to millions as team captain on Channel 4’s ‘8 Out of 10 Cats.’

He also wrote and starred in cult BBC sitcom ’15 Storeys High,’ and numerous other TV credits include BBC1’s ‘Live at the Apollo,’ BBC2’s ‘QI,’ Dave’s ‘Argumental,’

Also in the line up are:

Lee Nelson

Comic creation of Simon Brodkin, who has already featured in Absolutely Fabulous and numerous roles in Al Murray’s recent sketch show. Barnstorming banter from lovable yob Lee Nelson, who lays life on a roguish council estate bare.

Lee Nelson - Edinburgh and Beyond 2007 - Episode 1 (YouTube link)

Jason Cook

Regular compere at Middlesbrough’s Big Mouth and Stockton’s Catch 22 Comedy Clubs. Huge Edinburgh Festival favourite, with two smash-hit 5-star shows in the last two years. Winner of ‘Best International Show’ award at the New Zealand Comedy Festival.

Jason Cook New Zealand Comedy Festival 08 (YouTube link)

Ivan Brackenbury

Comic creation of real-life DJ Tom Binns. If.comedy (formerly Perrier) nominee at Edinburgh in 2007. Regular on BBC Radio 2 (Steve Wright, Jason Byrne, Chris Evans' shows). With games, giveaways, patients’ requests and his own special blend of music and chat, bungling hospital radio DJ Ivan captures all the fun and excitement you’d expect from being ill in hospital.

Ivan Brackenbury 2008 (YouTube link)

...and it's all for free! - thanks to Hartlepool Borough Council and Dockfest 09.

Make 'em Laugh!

Ever wanted to have a go at stand-up? Sorry, but this time you’ve literally ‘missed the boat!’

12 lucky candidates who have little or no experience of performing are going to learn the ropes of stand-up comedy over 3 weekly sessions – from joke writing to performance techniques – then perform a short set at an intimate gig in front of a REAL LIVE AUDIENCE. And it's all FREE! – courtesy of Hartlepool Borough Council and the amazing cultural extravaganza that is Dockfest 09.

The workshops are taking place on board the paddle steamer PSS Wingfield Castle at Hartlepool's Maritime Experience on three consecutive Wednesdays in June, followed by a showcase gig on the boat itself on Saturday 27 June.

Led by Ten Feet Tall comedy booker Peter Vincent and professional comedy writer Dave Ingram, the last two workshops will also feature advice and specialist help from Comedy Store & Jongleurs regulars Anvil Springstien and Gary Delaney. Crikey. Only the best!

This is what our would-be comedians will be learning:

Workshop One

• The current UK comedy scene
• Advice on how acts progress on the stand up scene, from open spots to paid gigs - and then up to TV!

Workshop Two

• Workshop features Anvil Springstien
• Performance skills, including stagecraft, microphone technique and delivery Joke writing techniques

Workshop Three

• Workshop features Gary Delaney
• Joke writing and set development
• Creating a 5-minute set

THE GIG! – Sat 27 June

• Showcase gig where the acts can perform their 5-minute set. Watch this space to find out more.

Click here for the weekend schedule