Created in Birmingham

Rich Batsford uses his blog to plug a comedy gig at the Old Joint Stock Theatre featuring Reginald D Hunter (who recently took part in Project X) and new-to-me act Hospital Radio DJ Ivan Brackenbury aka BRWM and Kerrang DJ Tom Binns. But don’t hold that against him. Judging by this clip he’s quite odd in a rather wonderful way.

The gig is on December 19th. Details here.

Wilma Proops thinks she should be mentioned on the blog, according to this comment, and who am I to argue?

Here’s a nice history lesson for the weekend. Stuart Lee talks about and to Ted Chippington who he considers the alternative father of alternative comedy.

While Ted’s from Birmingham he doesn’t live here anymore but he did do a gig at Atticus the other day as part of the Comedy Festival. The Atticus blog says it wasn’t that great but surely that was the point? Ooh, the meta-layers…

Having a Laugh - another nice 4Talent piece this time surveying the stand up comedy scene Birmingham and the West Mids.

The Birmingham Comedy Festival runs from Friday 5th to Sunday 14th October and the lineup looks pretty strong indeed. Top and tailed by Jimmy Carr and Sean Hughes names that jump out at me include Stuart Lee, Josie Long, Shazia Mirza, Barbara Nice, Ted Chippington, Mitch Benn and Marcus Brigstocke. And I’m not a huge follower of the comedy circuit so there’s probably some gems I’m missing out there.

The festival started in 2001 as a non-profit event tying together promoters and venues across the city and is not limited to standup with theatre and art getting a look in. There are also Open Mike nights dotted around and a laughter workshop.

Here’s the listings and there’s the obligatory MySpace.