Cheers on the Pier!
Published Tuesday 17th July 12 in Council - news and information releases news
Hurry down to Southend Pier to celebrate its new Cultural Centre with laughter and cheers!
This eagerly-anticipated new venue on the world's longest pleasure Pier opens on Thursday 19th July with Southend's first comedy festival.
Called the Wave Comedy Festival, the exciting event begins at 8pm this Thursday evening with sparkling performances from The Joker Comedy Club.
The Joker is Southend's esteemed long-running comedy club, and launches proceedings with top acts from Britain's illustrious comedy circuit. Tickets are £10, and other festival events follow:
- Friday 20th July there is a charity night with champagne reception and a show starring Southend's very own Terry Alderton, fresh from his round-the-world tour. He has previously appeared on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Dave's One Night Stand, Sports Relief's Let's Dance and he was named The Sun's Top Comedian in 2011. Tickets are £25
- Saturday 21st July from 1pm until 4pm -Youth Comedy Workshop. Tickets are £15
- Saturday 21st July from 6pm - Quirkish - Improvised comedy from the south-east's premier improvisation group, featuring Sarah Mayhew and John Oakes who both appeared in Russell Kane's One Night Stand for Dave Channel. Tickets are £6.
- Saturday 21st July from 7:30pm - Los Desperados, with comedy sketches and impish improvisation. Tickets are £5.
- Saturday 21st July from 9pm - Three Funny People - Stand up artists from the best on the circuit. Tickets are £7
- Or catch the extra special offer and enjoy all three Saturday night events for just £15.
· Sunday 22nd from 2pm - 5pm why not try the Comedy Writing Workshop. Tickets are £20
· Sunday 22nd July from 8pm - Enjoy the results at the Comedy Writing Showcase. Tickets are £4
Tickets are available from Southend Visitor Information Centre at Southend Pier on 01702 618747 or vic@southend.gov.uk and all ticket prices include the cost of the Pier train ride.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis said: "The completion of our new building will make an excellent showcase for the vibrant arts and culture scene in Southend.
"This new festival of comedy with a really varied programme for its first year, can hopefully become a regular annual event for the town."
The team behind the Wave Comedy Festival, Gary Jackets, Sadie Hasler, Malcolm Clark and Lee Tearrell said: "The Pier had many thousands of visitors last year, and we want to bring that many laughs with the very first event at the new Cultural Centre at the end of the Pier.
"Visit for the laughs, and to check out the long-awaited new venue."