Glasgow International Comedy Festival reveals a host of guests who will appear at festival

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has unveiled a host of stellar guests set to appear throughout the Festival as it brings 19 days of comedy to the city this month.

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

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