Steady supply of stars for Teesdale's comedy club

Gyles Brandreth

Barnard Castle comedy club Funny Way To Be has announced details of its spring season.
The club’s shows, which take place at The Witham began on Saturday, January 28, with Lucy Porter.
Friday, February 10, will see Chris Ramsey kick off a packed month of comedy with his work-in-progress show, rescheduled from its original January date.
The work-in-progress show will see the Hebburn star trying out new material ahead of his upcoming, 43-stop tour ‘Is That Chris Ramsey?’ – his biggest to date.
On Saturday, February 18, Gary Delaney visits Barnard Castle with his new show, ‘There’s Something About Gary’. Delaney thinks a good joke should be like “a drunk Glaswegian – short and punchy”.
This new show from the Mock the Week regular and double Sony Award winner is not only great for people who like lots of jokes but fun for people who enjoy getting offended by jokes too.
Best-selling and award-winning author, radio and TV personality Gervase Phinn stops by on Saturday, March 4, for ‘An Evening with Gervase Phinn’.
Phinn has been touring theatres across the country for more than ten years, sharing his funny and sometimes poignant tales of life as a schools inspector in the Yorkshire Dales.
On Saturday, March 18, the club will welcome cult comic Richard Herring and his “greatest hits” show ‘The Best’.
Described by GQ as “the best comedian of his generation”, Herring will perform popular routines from his last 12 one-man shows, providing a unique opportunity for fans to revisit their favourite bits, as well as offering the uninitiated an uproarious, abridged version of Herring’s lengthy and enviable career.
Rob Rouse makes an appearance on Saturday, April 15.
‘In Are You Sitting Comfortably?’ Rouse takes his trademark comedic storytelling to a career high, as he leads us on an irresistibly hilarious journey of enforced introspection which has taught him to relinquish any attempts to control his life and to face down literally one of the most awkward situations you’re ever likely to hear about. The club will also be putting on a show at Barnard Castle Meet. The Barnard Castle Meet Comedy Gala will take place on Saturday, May 27, at The Demesnes, and will feature sets by some of the country’s top comics.
Uniquely stubborn, outright impractical and undeniably hilarious, Geordie comic Carl Hutchinson has been crowned the Magners Pub Comedian of the Year and the winner of the Beat the Frog World Series competition.
He also reached the final of So You Think You’re Funny? and been nominated for the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award.
Audience favourite Patrick Monahan blends a high energy comedy style with hilarious and engaging topical and observational material.
Known for working a room, Patrick is adored by his audiences with whom he makes an effortless connection.
This year will also see Funny Way To Be expanding its stable, with new shows set to take place in Staindrop’s Scarth Hall – as previously reported.
Funny Way To Be will also welcome back Gyles Brandreth later in the year, with the popular raconteur set to perform his new show Looking for Happiness on Saturday, June 10.
Funny Way To Be promoter Peter Dixon said: “We’ve got huge number of outstanding shows lined up with a
great mixture of returning favourites and brand new comics to enjoy. “
Tickets available online from funnywaytobe.com.