ARGComFest | London’s answer to the Edinburgh Fringe
When the organisers behind ARGComFest dubbed it ‘London’s greatest comedy festival’, they weren’t joking.
After all, they consistently pull together the kind of line-up you’d pay good money to see at the Edinburgh Fringe (albeit mainly on train fares). And they helpfully condense this bounty of quality acts into one long weekend in the grandiose setting of Shoreditch Town Hall.
2024’s edition runs from 5th-7th July, with the force of over 60 comedians hurling stand-up at you from across three stages as they fine-tune their Fringe sets. And for anyone with commitment issues, there’s the added bonus that you can move around as you please, just as you would at a music festival. If you’re not feeling someone, you can slip out and try next door. No hard feelings.
It’s highly unlikely you’ll even want to slink off, though, because the highlights from this year’s line-up include:
Nish Kumar: Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe | Don’t believe a word of it! Nish is absolutely going to kill your vibe! Expect around 80 minutes of insightful social commentary from the two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee on topics like income inequality and climate collapse. But, you know, with jokes.
Olga Koch Comes From Money | Koch debuted at Fringe five years ago, a new kid on the block with a much-talked show called ‘Fight’. Now she’s a familiar face on the circuit, a telly regular and a Writers Guild Award winner for Best Radio Comedy. This show thanks her greatest supporter, and the one who got her here today: money.
Sara Pascoe: I Am A Strange Gloop | Haunted by the realisation that caterpillars don’t just grow wings and emerge as beautiful butterflies but actually completely break down into goo first, the legendary Sara Pascoe will be previewing her new show about rediscovering herself after becoming a mother.
Ania Magliano: Forgive Me, Father | The Amelia Dimoldenberg writer describes her new show like being trapped in a loo on a night out with that random stranger who wants to give you every single detail of their life story. But in this case, you’re allowed – nay, encouraged – to laugh.
Colin Hault: Colin | Following his diagnoses of autism and ADHD, Colin Hault has bid farewell to Anna Mann, the alter-ego who enabled him to first perform on-stage. In his new show, he’s simply Colin (with a heap of plaudits, 5* reviews and award nominations to support him).
Aside from the main weekend (where acts perform continuously from midday till late into the night), the festival’s Friday Night Show will also be returning. This opening performance sees an A-list cast of comedians get the gags going early and give audiences a taster of what’s to come over the weekend. This year, the bill includes Suzi Ruffell, Jamali Maddix, Sara Pascoe, Larry Dean and Sikisa, with more to be announced, and Ania Magliano presiding over things as host. Don’t slack with tickets, as last year’s sold out and chances are high that they will again this year.
We just have a funny feeling…
NOTE: ARGComFest is taking place from 5th-7th July. Friday tickets are £20, either weekend day is £34, and Saturday and Sunday combined will be £49. You can book tickets HERE.
Shoreditch Town Hall | 380 Old Street, EC1V 9LT
Enjoy becoming incontinent with laughter? Check out these other great comedy gigs in London this month