Starting Friday 30 October, the Nottingham Comedy Festival is back, bringing ten days of national talent and hilarity to bars, pubs and clubs of Nottingham. We spoke to a few comedians involved to find out what’s so funny…
Cosmic Kat
Was there a defining moment that decided your fate was to become a comedian?
I began as a musician and started writing comedy songs when I was at uni. My first one was called Pissing Against a Wall which was inspired by walking home after a night out and seeing a man... well you guessed it! I'd wanted to try stand up for a while but it wasn't until I did an Ultra Comedy Course in Nottingham in 2019, mentored by comedian Chris Purchase, that I got the courage to finally do it.
What are your thoughts on the Notts comedy scene?
It's very friendly, welcoming and not too intimidating. I lived in London for a year in 2018 and trying stand up there felt terrifying but when I moved back to Notts I felt more confident in giving it a go. I've been out of it for a while since COVID halted my gigging momentum but since recently returning I've enjoyed meeting new people on the scene. East Midlands comedy writers do online and in person sessions that I'd highly recommend to anyone looking to get into it.
What inspires your sense of humour?
I love the absurd. Anything weird and wacky. I used to howl at the TV when I was a teenager watching Harry Hill's TV Burp but my friends were so bemused, they just didn't get it. Most of my own material is very personal and inspired by my own life experiences, which can be very therapeutic. I like finding the comedy in challenging things I've been through like mental health struggles and identity crises.
Sum up your show in one sentence…
A peek into the musical circus that is my inner world with themes of bisexuality, autism and big boob problems.
Tell us something that’s made you laugh recently…
Dutch artist Wim T Schippers passed away this summer and left instructions for his art installation which was just covering a whole gallery floor in peanut butter. The gallery cafe in Rotterdam was also selling jars of peanut butter so visitors could make their own art at home. Some people would say that's not art but I think it's hilarious.
What act would you recommend at Nottingham Comedy Festival?
Katie Mitchell. She has a solo show called ‘Giddy’ that I'm hoping to see too. A glamorous goth who's sure to make you giggle.
Catch Cosmic Kat: Big-Top Heavy on Wednesday 4 November at Laceworks, ARC Space.
Angela Bra
Was there a defining moment that decided your fate was to become a comedian?
I think it was when I was performing music open mics and realised it was a lot more fun to tell funny stories in my lyrics than constantly rhyme ‘pain’ with ‘rain’. Stand-up followed and then a lockdown transformation as I emerged not just as a comedian but with a drag-inspired persona.
What are your thoughts on the Notts comedy scene?
Whilst I’m not local, I’ve always enjoyed performing in and around Nottingham. My actual drag bingo show (on which my fringe show is based) has been in various local pub function rooms all over the area. People are genuine and are on your side from the start, ready to enjoy themselves.
What inspires your sense of humour?
The absurdity of many of the most usual things we encounter in life and, often, how wound up we can get about them. Whether it's the post-purchase regret of realising you haven't picked the best value combo in a meal deal, an Air BnB which doesn’t deliver the florid description online or your friend saying they cook when it begins and ends with three minutes and a ping. It’s often hard to find anything that really makes sense if you look at it hard enough.
Sum up your show in one sentence…
Songs, stories, games and gags from life on the front line of the party bingo circuit.
Tell us something that’s made you laugh recently…
An audience member who recently told me about their job with, “I work in care and I don’t take any sh*t”, before realising what they’d just said...
What act would you recommend at Nottingham Comedy Festival?
Jay Saunders: One Dog, One Nutter. Jay and his canine companion Hawk were the act before me in the same room at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. A thoughtful and funny show with a serious message on PTSD. A lovely pair off stage too – I fussed Hawk every day!
Catch Angela Bra: Secret Diary of a Bingo Call Girl 2 on Saturday 7 November at The Lord Roberts.
Jules O’Brian
Was there a defining moment that decided your fate was to become a comedian?
I was an English teacher for sixteen years. In my late forties, I realised that if I kept waiting until I felt brave enough to try my hand at stand-up, I’d probably make my comedy debut at my own funeral. So I did it: got on stage, and completely changed my life… eventually.
What are your thoughts on the Notts comedy scene?
I’ve always had a great time gigging in Nottingham. There’s a proper appetite for live comedy here, and the festival is brilliant because you get that lovely mixture of established acts, newer comics and audiences willing to take a chance on something they haven’t seen before. As a comedian, that’s exactly what you want.
What inspires your sense of humour?
Usually the things that initially make me cry – or angry, coupled with the increasing absurdity of being a 54-year-old single woman. Then there's dating, aging, being an ex-teacher, my adult children, the ‘advice’ women are given (especially as we age). Basically, many of my own dodgy decisions have been extremely good for eventually making me laugh.
Sum up your show in one sentence…
A show that laughs at all the unsolicited advice and inspirational quotes the world insists we need as we get older.
Tell us something that’s made you laugh recently…
I think it's the things that feel the most awful at the time that can become the funniest. I recently endured a late-night drive through diversions within diversions within diversions, finally arrived at a Travelodge, had a good cry, made myself a much-needed cup of tea... and the water tasted of fish. My daughter has always warned me about hotel kettles. Turns out she may have a point. The absurdity and horror of it feels much funnier to look back on than it did in the moment.
What act would you recommend at Nottingham Comedy Festival?
Rob Kemp: Beatlesjuice. Rob's brilliant. One perfectly good idea at a time doesn't seem to be enough for him so he's combined Beetlejuice with The Beatles. It’s inventive, ridiculous and very funny.
Jules O'Brian: Avoid Excessive Cleavage (and Other Advice to Ignore) on Saturday 7 November at Canalhouse
Ciaran Shea
Was there a defining moment that decided your fate was to become a comedian?
I think growing up looking like Mr Bean's son and having a name that rhymes with Queeran Gay, you quickly grow thick skin, and when you throw in my talent for disappointing my parents, I clearly possess all the traits of a standup comic.
What are your thoughts on the Notts comedy scene?
What's not to love – as long as you don't discuss football, you'll survive. There's such a beautiful variety of venues from quaint cafes to sticky traditional pubs. These venues vary so work for those starting out, and those moving into semi-pro performing. The characters you meet on the Notts scene are as eclectic as you'd imagine and definitely in the last year or so it feels like there's a growing buzz around comedy in this city.
What inspires your sense of humour?
I think it's making the most out of your own personal journeys, that's what inspires me, reminiscing over my school days, thinking about the time I got drunk with Shrek, or remembering when I dated a witch, these larger-than-life stories usually get the comedy flowing. Some of the stories in my show are entirely true and some are completely made up; I suppose that's for you to figure out which is which.
Sum up your show in one sentence…
It's interactive carnage to be completely honest, yes there's stand up, but there's also ping pong balls, crowd interaction, and special guests, with a musical finale (okay there's no musical finale but it will be fun).
Tell us something that’s made you laugh recently…
I've been cooking up baby names recently, and I've got it down to two, my name's Ciaran Shea (Pronounced Shay), If I have a girl we will call her Sash Shea, and if we have a boy he'll be called Rico Shea.
What act would you recommend at Nottingham Comedy Festival?
There's so many absolute corkers, Lauren Buck, Kevin Daniel, Hitched & Ditched, Russ Lee, and Jack King are all absolutely worth your time. Honestly, it's a fantastic line-up. Please go and check some shows out. It'll be a great festival.
Catch Ciaran Shea’s show ‘Your Worst Nightmare' on Sunday 8 November at The Barley Twist.
Nottingham Comedy Festival takes place between Friday 30 October to Sunday 8 November 2026. For the full line up, head to their website.
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