NICOLA Sturgeon and Mhairi Black are among the names to feature at this year’s Glasgow Comedy Festival.
It comes as the line-up was unveiled for what will be the festival’s biggest year, with more than 550 shows taking place across the city from March 12 to 30.
Comics from all over the world including the US and Australia will come to the city, as well as many of Scotland’s own top performers.
Guests will feature alongside Sturgeon and author Val McDermid for the Books and Banter show, while Black will pull back the curtain on life in Westminster with her show.
The festival also presents a celebration of Alasdair Gray’s work in Gray Matters, featuring Alan Bisset, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, and Ashley Storrie.
Last year’s winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award Susie McCabe (below) will debut her show Best Behaviour in her hometown.
Other big names to feature in the line-up include Fern Brady, Larry Dean, Paul Black, Marjolein Robertson, and Russel Kane.
Paul Black said: “I’m very excited to bring my new show All Sorts to GICF. Headlining the Festival in 2023 at The King’s was a dream and I’m very happy to be back with something totally different.”
Organisers also unveiled this year’s Comedy Connects will have a youth focus with programming and development geared to the next generation of performers and audiences.
The Comedy Connects strand uses any festival profits to fund initiatives and projects with the aim of making comedy more accessible to all.
This also includes the return of the "Introduction to Comedy course for women and marginalised genders" with a six-week free workshop taught by acclaimed comedian Viv Gee at The Social Hub, aiming to encourage more people to pursue comedy.
Once again, the closing Comedy Gala on Sunday 30th March will reveal the winner of the festival’s only official award: the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.
In the third year of the award, 2025’s winner will join a prestigious list including McCabe (2024 winner) and Janey Godley (2023 winner).
Festival director Krista MacDonald said: “We're thrilled to reveal Glasgow International Comedy Festival's 2025 programme with over 550 shows meaning this will be our biggest ever event and a real milestone year for the Festival as we go into our third year of rebuilding post-pandemic.
"We'll be showcasing some of the very best comedians from around the world, the UK and of course, lots of stellar homegrown Scottish acts.
“Comedy plays a vital role in Glasgow's cultural identity and our city's comedy scene regularly produces acts who go on to impress on a worldwide stage.
"From our unique legacy of comedy performers to the top touring acts of today and through to the next generation of breakthrough talent, Glasgow is the starting point for countless acts and we can't wait to celebrate that this spring.
“GICF truly has all styles of comedy on display – traditional stand-up, clowning, musical comedy, theatre, live podcasts and family comedy shows making sure there is genuinely something for everyone.
"We’re also thrilled to be expanding our Comedy Connects programme with our new community partner, The Social Hub, with the aim of making comedy more accessible for all including running our Introduction to Comedy course for women and marginalised genders for the second year.
“The Festival encompasses every corner of the city, from iconic comedy clubs in the west end to some of Scotland's most famous venues including The OVO Hydro, SEC Armadillo and the legendary Barrowland Ballroom.
"We’d encourage you to take a chance on somebody new, as well as some of your old favourites, and join us as we celebrate Glasgow as the funniest city in the world once more.”
Click HERE for more information on all the shows and how to get tickets.
