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
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life.
READ MORE
Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.
READ MORE
Katie Gregson-MacLeod is urging young Glaswegians to discover new music IRL as Celtic Connections brings free pop-up gigs to Patricia's x SLB, Through The House and Black Pine this Saturday.
READ MORE
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Calum Bowie has invited two fresh local talents to support him at his upcoming landmark show in December at The Barrowlands!
READ MORE
Partick Film Festival returns in January with a range of events including a special 30th anniversary screening of Rob Roy, followed by a Q&A with the director Michael Caton-Jones.
READ MORE
This festive season, Glasgow and Edinburgh relevellers can relive the magic of Christmas past as Somewhere by Nico unveil a brand-new immersive experience!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that our Ambassadog, Baxter, will be taking part in this year's Santa Dash on Sunday 7th December!
READ MORE
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
Peter McKenna, chef-owner of The Gannet in Glasgow, along with Kevin Dow, are set to open a new restaurant, Eleven Fifty Five, in its place in Finnieston early next year.
READ MORE
Mezcal, the lively Mexican street-food restaurant, is set to open its doors at Glasgow Fort on Wednesday 26th November, bringing even more choice for visitors ahead of the festive period.
READ MORE
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
A brand-new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time based on the internationally celebrated novel comes to Glasgow's Theatre Royal in March 2027!
READ MORE
Global lifestyle sensation MINISO is set to bring its signature blend of joy, creativity, and affordable design to Buchanan Street, with a brand-new store opening on 26th November!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow is abuzz with Black Friday deals, offering shoppers incredible discounts across a wide range of products – from fashion and footwear to jewellery, beauty, and homeware.
READ MORE
The Maclean Brothers are among a wave of exciting new names to join the world-renowned Celtic Connections bill, it has been announced.
READ MORE
The CBeebies panto Cinderella is coming to the big screen in Glasgow from Friday 21st November.
READ MORE
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment, customers can now access some of the best theatre ticket deals for shows at the Pavilion Theatre as well as unmissable productions in the West End.
READ MORE
BBC ALBA will bring together some of Gaelic music's biggest names as Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire returns to Glasgow to celebrate Hogmanay and usher in 2026.
READ MORE
The full cast has been revealed for Flora which sees one of Scotland's most famous daughters, Flora MacDonald, take centre stage to tell her own tale!
READ MORE
Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.
READ MORE
Glasgow is getting its largest-ever Christmas beer hall, and it’s all down to award-winning brewer Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
Glaswegians are being urged to embrace the unique spirit of the city's pantomimes with the launch of Get You in Panto Town!
READ MORE
The magic of Christmas has arrived at Buchanan Galleries, with a heartwarming line-up of festive activities taking place throughout November and December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Glasgow's Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!
READ MORE
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
READ MORE