Reading Indie Comedy Festival 2024 - Festival Pass

Reading Indie Comedy Festival will return in 2024 between the 17 - 19 of May.

The festival will comprise of 3 days of hilarious shows across Reading's independent comedy circuit.

Further detail will follow as we confirm the festival programme so keep an eye on this page.

The festival's headline event at Double-Barrelled Brewery on Saturday 18 May will be closed by the hilarious Gary Delaney.

Festival Pass - Early Bird (£35)

Festival Pass - Standard Advance (£40)

Lineup subject to change. Timings may changes slightly as we finalise the festival schedule.

Confirmed partners:

Laughter Craft Comedy, Mates Rates Comedy Club, Stand and Deliver Comedy Club, Roast Battle UK, Milk Bar, Double-Barrelled Brewery, The Roseate Reading, The Purple Turtle, plus more.

Reading Indie Comedy Festival Programme 2024

Bonus Show - Thursday 16 May

• 7:30pm, Paul F Taylor: Head in the Clouds

Venue: Reading Biscuit Factory, Oxford Road, Reading, UK

NB - this show is not included in the Reading Indie Comedy Festival pass BUT pass holders will get a discount using a promo code.

After a several year absence, professional odd-ball Paul F Taylor returns with a supremely silly new show. Paul has been a man that has always thrown himself to the gods of chaos. Growing up; people often accused him of having his head in the clouds.

Day 1, Friday 17 May

• 7:30pm, Reading New Comedian of the Year Competition 2024

Venue: The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR

Reading's second ever independent comedy festival will take place between Friday 17 May and Sunday 19 May 2024.

Kicking off the festival is Reading New Comedian of the Year Competition 2024 taking place at The Purple Turtle on Friday 17 May between 7:30pm and 9:30pm.

8 new comedians will battle it out to win a paid spot at Mates Rates Comedy Club and a cash prize.

• 8pm, Andy Gleeks: These Fragments I Have Shored Against My Ruin

Venue: The Roseate Reading, RG1 3EJ

Andy Gleeks has a club set high on "really strong gags that always go down well with everyone" (Catford Comedy Club), gags which focus on his past and present lives in Northern Ireland and England. His conversational and anecdotal style is 'warm, engaging and naturally funny' (Matt Bragg) in its self deprecation.

Day 2, Saturday 18 May

• 12pm, Geoff Steel: Out to Lunch

Venue: The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR

The greatest philosopher of our time, will be presenting through the medium of comedy. A mind altering show that will transcend you to a higher spiritual place and ultimately bring world piece.

Or not... either way. Only one way to find out.

• 12:30pm Alex Kitson: Must I Paint You a Picture? (WIP)

Venue: The Roseate Reading, RG1 3EJ

Alex Kitson is an award-winning comedian with a secret. One he's fed up of keeping. Come watch this 'incredible... so clever' (BBC Radio Bristol) 'master of his craft' (Capers Comedy) work towards his highly anticipated debut hour - the show he never thought he'd do. A story about naivety, hope and why horses are so bloody sexy.

• 2pm, Luke Mother F***ing Chilton

Venue: The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR

“some of the most hilarious, interesting and unique routines I’ve ever seen…There is a chance that my recommendation will, if anything, hinder his chances of being booked so I can only apologise.” Vittorio Angelone (Social Media sensation)

“He kills very hard….He also is very nice. Fuck.” Bobby Mair (as seen on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Never Mind the Buzzcocks + more)

• 3pm, Reading Indie Comedy Festival present: Harriet Kemsley

Venue: The Outlook, RG1 3BJ

Harriet is an award winning comedian, writer and actress. She has starred in the Viceland reality sitcom Bobby and Harriet: Get Married which she co-created and co-wrote with her husband Bobby Mair, to huge critical acclaim. She can also be seen on Dave's Hypothetical, ITV's Hey Tracey, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, and is a recurring guest on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats.

• 4pm, Reading Indie Comedy Festival presents: Darren Harriott

Venue: The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR

First Black British stand-up nominated for the main Edinburgh Comedy Award

Double Edinburgh Award nominee Darren Harriott’s TV includes, Dancing on Ice, co-host of Love Island: Aftersun, Britain’s Best Takeaway with Sara Cox, British as Folk, host of Live at the Apollo and Dog Ate My Homework, team captain on four series of Guessable and series regular on Don’t Hate the Playaz.

• 5pm, Rhodri Buttrick: mY CoNtRiBuTiOn tO ThE ArTs

Venue: The Outlook, RG1 3BJ

Rhodri Buttrick is a product of the garishly colourful 90s, shaped and battered by decay and ruin of the last two decades.Expect a tale of dyslexia, Bodger and Badger, the radio industry, Welsh heritage and some other stuff....Worth every penny the arts council have thrown at him (£5.50), this is his much needed Contribution to The Arts.

• 7:30pm, Comedy at the Taproom Showcase 2024 with Headliner: Gary Delaney

Venue: Double-Barrelled Brewery, RG1 3BJ

Double Sony Award Winner • Regular On Mock The Week • Chortle Award Nominee

He loves each and every gag and you can’t help but be carried away by his infectious charm. He’s like a cheeky schoolboy who can barely hide his glee with each and every punch line.

Day 3 Sunday 19 May

• 12:30pm, Dan Collins: Disastermind (W.I.P)

Venue: Milk Bar, RG1 1DT

Have you ever said "You too" to a waiter who told you to enjoy your meal?

Ever spent an hour looking for the phone that is currently in your hand?

Then oh boy do I have a show for you. Join me on a journey deep inside my mind as I try to explain the Mayhem of my life. Buckle in folks. It's time to embrace your inner idiot!

• 1pm, What's The Game Improv Reading Comedy Festival Showcase 2024

Venue: The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR

Mad Monkey Improv and What's the Game are teaming up to present the Reading Improv Comedy Festival Showcase!

Improv comedy, created spontaneously by the performers... anything can happen.

Experience the very best of the Reading improv scene!

Hosted by veteran improvisers Alexander McWilliam and Seamus Allen.

• 2:30pm, Reading Indie Comedy Festival present: Michael Odewale

Venue: Milk Bar, RG1 1DT

BAFTA winning Team Writer / Performer, Michael Odewale has fast gained recognition for his distinctive comic style.

A fresh and unfiltered voice known for delivering sharp and beautifully executed content, his debut show #BlackBearsMatter won Best Show at both the 2019 Leicester Comedy Festivals and achieved critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019, earning him a nomination for Best Newcomer in the Dave Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

His impressive performance credits include Live at The Apollo (BBC), Friday Night Live (C4) and Live from The Moth Club (Dave).

• 3pm, Kathyrn Mather: Please Just Give Me A Chance

Venue: The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR

Join award-winning comedian Kathryn Mather in this slightly dark, slightly whimsical show about finding love and finding yourself against the backdrop of the pandemic.

“Wickedly accomplished… a thrilling rhythm and seamless flow… and the gags come at such a relentless rate. Mather positively revels in the macabre with a playful zeal” Rolling Stone UK

• 4:30pm, Reading Indie Comedy Festival Presents: Jonathan Elston

Venue: Milk Bar, RG1 1DT

Jonathan has been a permanent fixture of the UK comedy circuit since beginning stand up at the age of 19.

The Guardian

“A comic with incredible talent”

• 5pm, Roman Harris: Mr Nice

Venue: The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR

"Roman Harris has developed a reputation for being a 'Nice Guy' but is he? Really?

Join him for a journey of observational, anecdotal and introspective comedy as he explores his sense of self in a quest to discover whether he deserves the title of Mr. Nice or whether he's actually just a dick!"

• 5:30pm, Joe Wells – Daddy Autism

Venue: Milk Bar, RG1 1DT

Joe and his wife want to have a baby.

He's autistic so it's quite likely the baby will be too.

That's ok, all he needs to do is solve ableism before it's born.

• 7pm, Reading Indie Comedy Festival presents: Josh Baulf

Venue: The Purple Turtle, RG1 2JR

Within a few months of performing, British comedian Josh Baulf won the infamous King Gong at The Comedy Store, was shortlisted for the BBC New Comedy Award and reached the finals of the Amused Moose New Comedy Awards.

Josh has performed at the London Palladium and has established himself as a fast-rising star on the UK comedy circuit.

• 8pm, The Sunday Roast, Presented by Roast Battle UK

Venue: Milk Bar, RG1 1DT

THE SHOW THAT TURNS SMACK TALK INTO AN ART FORM!

ROAST BATTLE UK PUTS TWO COMEDIANS HEAD-TO-HEAD IN A BATTLE OF WIT AND PUT-DOWNS. EACH COMIC HAS 5 JOKES TO ”ROAST” THEIR OPPONENT. THE OPPONENT CAN RESPOND WITH AN OFF THE CUFF REBUTTAL. ULTIMATELY, THE WINNER IS DECIDED BY A GUEST PANEL OF AUDACIOUS JUDGES.