Summertime Laughs

It may not be a consistently scorchio summer, but the comedy climate is hot with lots of events where you can get your giggles either in an al fresco setting or as near as damn it – in a tent.

This summer’s canvas-topped and fresh-air friendly options kicked off last night with the mega-happening that was Tim Minchin and His Band Live in Hyde Park, hosted by Jasper Carrott and featuring Milton Jones, Nina Conti, and Gina Yashere.

But fret not, the laughter unfurls again tonight at the launch of Ealing Comedy Festival in Walpole Park. The opening night gala stars David Baddiel, cheeky mime marvel Boy with Tape on his Face, star of Derek, Kerry Godliman, and veteran comic and expert MC Arthur Smith.

Meanwhile, the season at the upside-down purple cow, aka the Udderbelly comes to a close this weekend with Ed Byrne the star closer. Then of course the inflatable fun – part-tent, part-bouncy castle – wends its way to Edinburgh to the festival where it will house What Does The Title Matter Anyway? The impro show the reunites the cast members of that well-known Channel 4 show that cannot be named.

We’re not done with July yet though. From July 24-27 Laugh in the Park, Norwich (not to be confused with Laughs in the Park in St Albans, not running this year) takes place at Chapelfield Gardens. Run by Red Card Comedy Club, the event includes some circuit stalwarts who don’t always get over-exposed by festivals such as Jeff Innocent, John Mann, Mike Gunn and Sean Meo.

Jumping forward to the autumn, Greenwich Comedy Festival has just announced its return to Greenwich after an aborted attempt to move to Brick Lane last year, made because of funding issues. The Brick Lane foray ran into problems with local residents, but now the venture is back in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum. The line-up includes Rich Hall, Cardinal Burns, Nina Conti and Mark Thomas.