A COUNTY Durham comedy club will present ten shows featuring TV and radio stars, podcasters and top best-selling authors in the next three months.

Teesdale comedy promoters Funny Way To Be, based at The Witham in Barnard Castle, has a number of household names among the line-up from February to April.

Founder Peter Dixon said: “Our programme in the first quarter of 2022 represents our biggest and most varied schedule of shows. It’s a bit of a cliché but there is genuinely something for everyone.”

First up, on Thursday, February 10, is national treasure Mark Watson with his latest stand-up show This Can’t Be It.

Other shows are on Saturday, February 26: Shaparak Khorsandi: IT WAS THE 90s!; Tuesday, March 1: Mark Thomas - Project; Wednesday, March 2: Simon Evans - The Work of The Devil; Friday, March 4: Andy Zaltzman – Satirist For Hire; Saturday, March 12: Bobby Mair – Cockroach; Wednesday, March 16: Lost Voice Guy - Cerebral LOLsy; Friday, April 1: Alistair McGowan – The Piano Show; Saturday, April 9: Gill Sims - An Evening With Gill Sims and Friday, April 29: Two Mr P’s in a Podcast Live.

For more information and tickets visit funnywaytobe.com

The Northern Echo:

Mark Watson Picture: MATT CROCKETT/FUNNY WAY TO BE

Mr Dixon said for those pondering about the fragility of life recently, skinny national treasure Mark Watson has it covered and will explain all on February 10. 

Shaparak Khorsandi makes her Barnard Castle debut on February 26, with show themed on how 90s kids are looking to young people to learn how to take care of themselves.

Mark Thomas makes a quick return to Barnard Castle with a totally different sort of show. Mark will be showing clips from his groundbreaking TV show ‘Product’ and explaining what went on behind the scenes. He tells the story in its fullest glory - from the risqué to the risky - in this cinematic live experience of mischief, adventure, and seven years of gunning for the corrupt with a camera crew in tow.

Simon Evans’ critically acclaimed new tour show, on March 2, is based on recent personal revelations that turned his world upside down.

Peter Dixon said: “I first saw a version of this show at Edinburgh in 2019 and it was my favorite of the year. Simon is one of the funniest people in the UK and with an incredible storyline this is one anybody seeing it will never forget.”

The Northern Echo:

Andy Zaltzman Picture: FUNNY WAY TO BE

On March 4 satirist for hire Andy Zaltzman, the chair of The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and host of the global hit satirical podcast The Bugle, makes his Barnard Castle debut with his unparalleled interactive stand-up show. Andy arrives fresh from Australia where he is the Test Match Special statistician.

On March 12, Bobby Mair presents a show of dark, gut-wrenching stand-up. Bobby has been seen on various TV shows including hosting Killer Camp (ITV2), Feel Good(Netflix), Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2) , Roast Battle(Comedy Central), Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (his personal favourite) and lots more.

The Northern Echo:

Lost Voice Guy Picture: FUNNY WAY TO BE

Following the success of his huge sell out 2019 UK tour, Lost Voice Guy is heading back to Teesdale on the March 16. The Britain’s Got Talent winner will poke fun at his life living as a disabled person in a post-apocalyptic world, as he tries to cope with the fame and fortune since his memorable victory.

The Northern Echo:

Alistair McGowan Picture: FUNNY WAY TO BE

Following a previous sell-out evening in Barnard Castle Alistair McGowan returns on the April 1 with his totally new tour show, combining his talents as master impressionist and comedian with his new-found ability as a classical pianist. 

The Northern Echo:

Gill Sims ​ Picture: FUNNY WAY TO BE

Gill Sims is the author of the Best Selling ‘Why Mummy’ series of books and the woman behind the hugely popular ‘Peter and Jane’ Facebook page and the ‘Why Mummy Drinks’ twitter account. Gill will be interviewed by ‘Mummy Blogger’ Jo Middleton. The evening, on Saturday, April 9, will be the perfect opportunity for parents to reassure themselves they are not alone.

Already close to selling out on the April 29 the evening is the live version of the popular podcast show, Two Mr P’s In A Podcast. Sharing funny stories from the front line of teaching, the Two Mr P's reminisce on their own school days and look at the wonderful and hilarious world of education.


 

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