Comedy is back with stars

Headlining the night is Irish comedian Jarlath Regan, 31, who took to the stage after becoming disillusioned as an advertising account executive.

After winning a place in the final of the BBC and Channel 4 new comedy awards, he began gigging around Ireland in small bars, pubs and community halls, before being asked to support people like Ardal O’Hanlon and David O’Doherty.

He appeared alongside an all-star cast of Irish comedians at the inaugural Montreal Just For Laughs Irish Comedy Gala.

A television producer saw the gala and six months later the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland decided to fund a television documentary about his journey to the Edinburgh Festival with his first solo show.

Nobody Knows Jarlath Regan was a three-part series which saw Jarlath interview some of his comedy heroes and apply their advice to his daily experience of the Fringe.

He has appeared on Ireland’s version of Mock The Week – The Panel and has release an illustrated book of his twisted greeting card collection. The first book, How to Break Bad News became an instant best-seller and something of a cult classic.

Supporting act for the night is Lucy Beaumont, a hugely talented comedy actress and writer.

She was last year’s winner of The BBC New Comedy Award and she has recently won the Chortle Award for Best Newcomer.

This year, Lucy is appearing in series two of Live at the Electric on BBC Three.

She performed her own show for BBC Radio 4 titled To Hull and Back in which Jonny Vegas made an appearance.

MC for the evening is stand-up comedian Phil Wang. In 2010 Phil won the Chortle Student Comedian of the Year and in 2011 won Comedy Central’s Funniest Student Award. Phil has appeared as the stand-up guest on the Rob Brydon Show (BBC2) and featured on BBC Three at the Fringe in 2011 with his debut solo show Anti Hero.

The show starts at 8pm, with further comedy evenings on May 9 and July 11.

Tickets: £12. See www.marinehall.co.uk or call the box office on 01253 887693.