The Evening Mail Birmingham Comedy Festival is back with over 30 events designed to get you laughing!
 This year, the festival is headlined by none other than our very own LENNY HENRY (Sept 30-Oct 2, Alexandra Theatre), the award winning comedian and actor whose career spans over 25 years, rising through the ranks of talent shows and childrens TV to become one of the most respected and loved entertainers in the UK. After a critically acclaimed run at Londons Wyndhams Theatre, Lenny will be presenting his latest show, So Much Things To Say, a selection of sharp comedy routines, hilarious vignettes and hysterical brand new characters.
 Continuing the local theme, the festival presents the return of two applauded sketch show troupes, THE SIDESHOW SOCIETY (Sept 28, MAC) and BREAD & CIRCUSES (Oct 9, MAC), whose ranks include stand-up comedian turned local radio breakfast show presenter JAMES COOK, who will also be leading the 2nd ANNUAL CHARITY CRAWL (Oct 2, Kings Heath) along the golden mile of charity shops that is Kings Heath, Birmingham, stopping off to purchase and wear extra clothing at every shop.
 Other top local names returning to the festival include BARBARA NICE, aka Janice Connolly, whose rapidly rising star has seen her appearing in Phoenix Nights and Crossroads. Shell be appearing at Hilarious! (Oct 4, James Brindley) and MAC (Oct 5) where shell be presenting her hit Edinburgh show Barbara The Vampire Slayer, a Take-A-Break readers guide to slaying the undead.
 Also look out for appearances from KAREN BAYLEY, JOHN SMITT, ANDY WHITE and RYAN GOUGH, as well as the new act competition (COMEDY UNCOVERED, Oct 8, Glee), designed to high-light some of the up-and-coming new talent from the region. Birmingham-born writer Nirjay Mahnidru creates a thrilling, witty and colourful flight of fantasy to India with MANDRAGORA, KING OF INDIA (Oct7-9, The Door, The Rep), while the Hoipolloi theatre company look to the work of writer Edward Lear for inspiration in the absurd yet delightful comic journey, MY UNCLE ARLY (Oct 8, MAC).
 Sody Singh Kahlon takes time out from The Funjabis for a comic character-filled extravaganza, SIKHS IN THE CITY (Oct8-9, The Patrick Centre), a show which has already played to sell-out houses across the UK. Other highlights include a string of free story telling sessions for children (Oct 2, 6, 9, Birmingham Central Library) and a whole day devoted to the greatest double-act of all-time, LAUREL & HARDY (Oct 10, MAC). · The Evening Mail Birmingham Comedy Festival 2004 runs from Friday 1 to Sunday 10 October, with previews beginning on September 28, and Festival Footnotes keeping the laughs rolling until October 13. · The official festival website is: www.icBirmingham.co.uk/comedyfestival/ For full details of what's on where and how to book tickets click here | 
Comedy Festival 
