Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival returns for its seventh year, between 11 – 14 July 2024, with an outstanding line up of experienced as well as up-and-coming comedians.
Taking place over four days, the festival highlight is the Live At The Apollo-style Gala Show on the final night at Theatre Severn. Comedy fans can expect an evening of top-notch entertainment from six fantastic acts. Five have been announced with one more still to go…
JOSH PUGH
As seen on Hypothetical (Dave), BBC New Comedy Awards (BBC), Mock The Week (BBC), The Last Leg (Channel 4), As Yet Untitled (Dave), Edinburgh Award nominated Josh Pugh will be appearing the festival following an extensive tour of the UK and Ireland. Pugh has written for several shows, including 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Never Mind, and many more. He hosts a podcast, Josh And Phil's Knowledge Club, with Phil Pagett. The Sunday Post described him as having ‘a gentle surrealness and a big dollop of hilarity.’
SCOTT BENNETT
Scott is a stand-up comedian and writer who is 'without doubt live comedy’s best kept secret' according to The Evening Standard. He made his debut on Live at the Apollo in 2021 and has also appeared as a regular guest on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Likely Dads and Elephant in the Room with Sarah Millican. During the lockdown of 2020, Scott pioneered the viral hit, Stand up from the Shed, a weekly topical live-streamed stand up show from his garden shed. The show achieved national coverage in the press, Sky News, BBC News and Five Live. In 2022 he was nominated as Best Club Comedian in the Chortle awards.
THANYIA MOORE
Award-winning comedian, actor, writer and presenter Thanyia joins as the master of ceremonies in this years flagship Gala Show. Winner of the national Funny Women Awards 2018, Thanyia has gone on to build an impressive list of TV credits including, Mock the Week (BBC), and Don't Hate The Players (ITV2). Her debut comedy show Just Being Funny achieved sell out runs and critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe 2022. Festival director Beth Mcgowen described her as having a 'fiercely commanding stage persona, big personality and razor-sharp wit.'
JACK GLEADOW
Described by BBC Humberside as having ‘echoes of Norman Wisdom’ and as a latter-day Lee Evans by Beyond The Joke, Hull based, award-winning comedian Jack Gleadow brings high-energy performances and a cheeky persona to his stand-up routine. He was the winner of the 2018 Leicester Mercury Comedian of The Year and nominated for Chortle’s 2019 Best Newcomer.
JANINE HAROUNI
UK based Lebanese American comedian Janine Harouni, was Selected as one of The Guardian's 'Ten Comedians to Watch in 2021', her critically acclaimed debut Edinburgh hour Stand Up with Janine Harouni (Please Remain Seated) was nominated for the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Her second stand up hour Man'oushe premiered at the festival in 2023 where it was nominated for Best Show. Janine stars in the ITV2 sitcom Buffering and she was a writer and performer for two seasons of ITV2's sketch series The Emily Atack Show.