Leading The Way In May - Komedia Festival Line Up
Published 26th Feb 2007 by Chris Challis

This year Komedia’s festival programme couldn’t be more packed. With over forty shows programmed and up to five shows a day spread across award winning performance spaces, Komedia is at the forefront of the Festival Fringe. From the very best cabaret, theatre and comedy to the celebration of the finest local and national bands and songwriters, this May it’s Komedia that promises to be the perfect festival destination from noon till moon!

A major coup for Komedia, we are delighted to have the almighty Tinariwen open our festivities. Mixing guitar grooves and desert vibes, Tinariwen create nomadic rock that speaks of rebels and revolution.

They will be huge – don’t miss them. Also, Chris Difford

takes to the stage to sing classic Squeeze songs alongside new material and Shooglenifty bring Celtic beats to the May-time mix. Other highlights include Carmen Mesa Flamenco Group direct from Seville, Danish pop princess Tina Dico and Scout Niblett - the drum pounding, guitar mashing Queen of cultdom who sings so loudly and gleefully it sounds like her lungs might burst.

Embracing the essence of what the May Festival is all about, Komedia is delighted to return to its roots with a season of incredible theatre. From gender-bending surrealism in the form of Taylor Mac and his ukulele, to the return of Brighton Festival Award winners and undisputed kings of mimed physical comedy, Gamarjobat, who premiere their brand new show Rock n’ Roll Penguin, Komedia has it all. Prodigal Theatre’s UK premiere of Queen of the Slaughter promises a blend of music, dance and poetry in three languages, whilst Stamping Ground Theatre brings us Hysteria, a cautionary tale about panic, the apocalypse and table manners. Wrapping the season up is Publick Transport’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Office; a hair-raising ride through slapstick, parody and melodrama as two office workers suddenly find themselves plunging towards the centre of the earth in a lift.

Comedy lovers are not overlooked – as well as the regular Kronenbourg Krater Comedy Club every weekend, Komedia have got some special friends together to make sure the giggles continue throughout the week as well! An evening with political activist and top funnyman Mark Thomas will be a real eye-opener, and his satirical colleagues Punt & Dennis are back with their new show Stuff and Nonsense. French madmen Le Cabaret des Chiche Capon return after their jaw-dropping – and frankly lunatic – show in December. If you missed them then, don’t make the same mistake this year… you’ll never see anything like it again! Oh, and Count Arthur Strong is back… with his musical!

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