Best of Greater Manchester Comedy Fringe Festival

After twelve happy years, the Manchester Comedy Festival is taking time off due to lack of funding. Deciding that the show must go on – albeit it in a slightly different form – the people at the Lass O’Gowrie have teamed up with the Frog and Bucket to create a fringe festival. The two week event isn’t seeking to replace the comedy festival but to fill the gap left while hoping that when the Comedy Festival returns, the fringe will too. The line up is a mix of comedy and theatre. In the jokes corner Richard Herring (pictured) unveils his Talking Cock at the Frog and Bucket (Tue 23 Oct, 7pm) alongside Steve Shanyaski and his Life Survival Bible (Sun 21 Oct, 7pm). The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets are at the Lass (Sat 20 Oct, 9,30pm) while musical comedy duo Slap and Giggle play Apotheca (Sun 21 Oct, 7pm). Over at the Lowry is Festival of the Spoken Nerd,(Sun 29 Oct, 8pm) where science meets comedy as well as Piff The Magic Dragon and his canine mate Mr Piffles. Theatre venues taking part include 3 Minute Theatre (Afflecks Palace), The Kings Arms (Salford) and Taurus (Gay Village). They’re showcasing a range of shows including If The Cap Fits (various dates & venues) sketches written, largely, by a former monk and Evening Star (Wed 17 & Thu 18 Oct, The Kings Arms, 7.30pm), a play set in a backstreet Mancunian bookies.

The Greater Manchester Comedy Fringe Festival, 17-31 Oct, www.greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk