Article Source: Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Last Updated: 6 March 2025 6:14
Fern Brady, Ashley Storrie, Stuart Braithwaite, Chris Brookmyre, Alison Spittle and more will appear as special guests at various GICF shows from the King’s Theatre to Blackfriars and in between.
Books & Banter with Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon will invite two special guests to discuss the books that have left a mark on them, for better or worse, as well as books they have loved, loathed and laughed at. Multi-BAFTA award winning comic and actress Ashley Storrie and one of the UK’s leading crime authors Chris Brookmyre will be Books and Banter’s guests at GICF, as they dive into Val and Nicola’s world of books at the King’s Theatre on Saturday 22nd March.
Ashley Storrie said: “Most of the books I read are about elves, werewolves, Victorian women and ice hockey players getting amorous… but not all at the same time! As much as I’m excited to talk to Val and Nicola about this, it is giving me flashbacks to when the headmistress found my fanfiction in third year and I had to have a meeting with her and my mum- so aye… should be fun.”
Chris Brookmyre said: “I'm now the second member of my family to be taking part in this year's GICF, though I can't promise I'll be as funny as my son, Jack. Nonetheless, I'm really looking forward to being the meat in this literary sandwich, and talking books in such an esteemed venue as the King's Theatre is a bucket-list-level thrill.”
Scottish comedy podcast Material, Girl, hosted by Susan Riddell and Amanda Dwyer, will welcome two titans of comedy to their live show at GICF, with special guests Fern Brady and Alison Spittle on Monday 17th March. Scottish comic and author of best selling book Strong Female Character, Fern Brady will join Irish comedian Alison Spittle for a night of laughs with the comedy besties in the stunning setting of Oran Mor. Fern also hosts her own hit solo show at GICF this year with ‘I Gave You MIlk to Drink’ at the King’s Theatre.
Fern Brady said: “As a regular listener to Material Girl I’m buzzing I now get to be part of the show with my best pal Alison Spittle.”
The show that turns smack talk into an art form, Roast Battle heads to GICF on the final weekend of the festival so fans can watch comedians at the top of their game go head to head in a battle of verbal onslaughts. The brainchild of Irish comedian Ryan Cullen, the show will be hosted by MC Billy Kirkwood, and will feature acts including Chris Thorburn, Kate Hammer, Amanda Dwyer, Chris Thorburn and Ryan Cullen himself. The late-night show heads to Blackfriars on the last Friday of the festival, 28th March.
With a host of live podcasts on the roster, GICF will welcome the first ever hometown show for Here Comes the Guillotine with hosts Frankie Boyle, Susie McCabe and Christopher Macathur-Boyd who will welcome a special surprise guest at the SEC Armadillo. Meanwhile, popular podcast Old Firm Facts will once again return with a series of guests to celebrate all things Scottish football. Podcast host Adam will be joined by Superscoreboard presenter Gordon Duncan, Mogwai frontman Stuart Braithwaite and Scottish football cartoonist Keith of Fitbatweets at Oran Mor on 24th March.
GICF’s Introduction to Comedy Course 2024 graduates return to the stage for ‘First Time Funnies - Class of 2024’ with performances from Kim Blythe, Ifrah Qureshi, Sophie Sexon and more, plus a special guest appearance from course teacher and comedy legend Viv Gee. The show takes place at Oran Mor on 23rd March, with 2025’s course participants hosting their very own first-time performance show on 20th March.
BBC Radio Scotland’s hit panel show Breaking the News will welcome a host of top comedians across three live shows at GICF including Susie McCabe, Marjolein Robertson, Gareth Waugh, Liam Withnail and more, every Thursday during the festival.
GICF will also host An Afternoon for Janey, a special tribute show for the first ever winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award Janey Godley, with a screening of her hit film and performances from her comedy friends and family including: Elaine C Smith, Tom Urie, Rosco McClelland and more. Taking place at the King’s Theatre on 23rd March, ticket proceeds will be donated to Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.
With just one week to go until GICF takes over the city with over 550 shows, there’s something for everyone from 12th - 30th March, with headline performances from the likes of Fern Brady, Larry Dean, Russell Kane, Susie McCabe, Paddy McDonnell, and some of comedy’s brightest rising stars including Gearóid Farrelly, Dee Allum, Connor Burns and more.
The 2025 festival will feature shows across every genre of comedy from traditional stand-up, live podcasts, clowning, improv, theatre, kids shows, musicals and more, with shows for all age ranges hosted in venues across the city. The 2025 edition of GICF runs as part of Glasgow’s 850 celebrations in 2025.
2025 festival tickets are on sale via www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com
BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORECUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.
READ MOREScotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.
READ MOREThe limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MOREScotland's first openly gay professional footballer is set to headline Pride events at The Social Hub Glasgow.
READ MOREArtwork to celebrate the centre's 20th anniversary was officially unveiled at Glasgow Fort last week.
READ MOREGlaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces once again with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights in August.
READ MORECineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.
READ MOREThis summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MOREThis Sunday sees the arrival of a brand-new community event for 2025: The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way!
READ MOREThree powerful performances by internationally acclaimed artists Dan Daw, Cherish Menzo and collective MEXA are revealed, in anticipation of full festival announcement on Tuesday 29th July.
READ MOREFirst Bus offers free travel to all current serving members, veterans and cadets for Armed Forces Day celebrations across its network.
READ MORESummerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORETopgolf Glasgow is dialling up the fun with a fresh range of value offers launching throughout the summer, helping players maximise their experience by giving them more for less!
READ MOREAspiring young buskers are invited to step into the spotlight and perform to hundreds of shoppers this summer in a safe and welcoming indoor space.
READ MOREThe Citizens Theatre has revealed the full cast for Small Acts of Love, the first production to be performed on the theatre's home stage in more than seven years when it reopens later this year.
READ MOREEl Perro Negro is bringing back its cult-favourite Breakfast Club menu. And this time, it's popping up once a month at the award-winning Woodlands Road restaurant - starting 29th June!
READ MOREThe curtain has closed on the 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival, reaffirming its place as one of the UK's premier and much-loved jazz events.
READ MOREParalympicsGB athlete Stephen Clegg made a special appearance at Cadder Primary School to help deliver an exciting workshop on the importance of energy saving in partnership with British Gas.
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORECheck out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!
READ MOREGuts UK and Colin the Colon, a giant, walk-through inflatable replica of a colon will be in Glasgow to raise vital awareness of digestive health conditions.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
READ MORECritically acclaimed chef Modou Diagne, known for his innovative approach and celebrated success at 111 by Nico, is set to open his second Glasgow restaurant this summer.
READ MOREAn inspiring event celebrating togetherness, diversity and human connection is set to be staged in Glasgow this week as part of Refugee Festival Scotland 2025.
READ MOREThe 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival gets off to a soulful start today as it opens at venues across the city, officially kicking off five extraordinary days of music.
READ MOREAldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep challenge is back again for another year, giving customers in Glasgow the chance to raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
READ MOREToday, the producers of the 2025/26 UK and Ireland tour of FRIENDS! The Musical Parody are delighted to announce casting for the side-splitting musical comedy.
READ MORE