Laughs keep coming on Teesside comedy circuit

By Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

TEESSIDE’S comedy circuit has plenty of laughs lined up for the week ahead.

Radio 4, Five Live and Sky TV regular JAMES SHERWOOD will be bringing his own brand of comedy to Darlington Arts Centre tomorrow night as part of At The Piano, his first national tour.

With TV and radio credits ranging from Radio 4’s flagship comedy shows The News Quiz and The Now Show, through to 6Music’s Jon Richardson Show and BBC2’s Mock the Week, James is one of the country’s foremost young comedy writers and performers.

He is also the creator and head writer on Radio 4’s new topical panel show I Guess That’s Why They Call It The News and recently completed his fourth sell-out Edinburgh run.

Always accompanied by his trusty keyboard, he shuns song parodies in favour of original compositions and self-contained ditties. Tickets are £10.

A week today Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee TOM WRIGGLESWORTH (pictured) will be at the arts centre with a fantastic new show.

Tom’s Open Return Letter To Richard Branson is about making a stand. On the back of seeing the over- zealous behaviour of a Virgin train worker, Tom tells Richard in a letter how random acts of kindness make good triumph over evil.

Why do people stand back and do nothing, and what makes people jump up and help?

Tom began his ascent up the comedy ladder in 2002 and has steadily earned a reputation as a promising, dynamic newcomer on the British comedy circuit.

In 2003, he scooped first prize in Channel 4’s prestigious So You Think You’re Funny? competition - an award previously won by Dylan Moran, Peter Kay, Rhona Cameron and Tommy Tiernan.

Tickets are £12, discounts £10, details on both Darlington dates on 01325 486555.

MIDDLESBROUGH’S hugely popular Big Mouth Comedy Club continues to bring some of the best comics on the UK and global circuits to town on the first Saturday of each month.

On Saturday, February 6, charmingly cheeky Mancunian TONY BURGESS takes to the the stage, combing a winning outlook on life with a barrage of killer punchlines.

One of the most sought after stand-ups in the country, he also writes for Lily Savage and Steve Coogan, and you’ll recognise him as Johnny Vegas’ nightmare Edinburgh flatmate in cult spoof documentary Who’s Ready For Ice Cream?

The line-up also includes Dave Longley whose meandering butterfly mind is making huge waves on the UK comedy circuit.

He’s sharply cutting edge one minute, absurd the next - and is a big hit at major comedy clubs all over the country.

Big Mouth favourite and Comedy Store regular MATT REED is MC for what looks set to be another top night.

Tickets are £11, details on 01642 729729.