Glasgow International Comedy Festival at Gael & Grain
Each spring, G&G’s Comedy Lounge becomes a West End comedy festival venue for the GICF, welcoming a curated selection of one-off stand-up shows as part of the city-wide celebration of comedy.
These performances are special festival events, featuring touring comedians, unique shows and limited appearances that you won’t see elsewhere throughout the year.
Shows listed on this page are part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival programme and are added manually as they are announced. Events listed are subject to change.
Patti Savard: Life in Transition
Life in Transition is a bold, one-woman comedy cabaret that blends stand-up, storytelling, and music to tackle taboo topics with humor and heart.
Matthew Wheelwright: Notorious B.U.G. (WIP)
Matthew used to be an entomologist so he is able to find joy in the little things- namely insects. He’ll share some weird biology facts, some fun folklore and even a bit of hilarious history about these little critters. Really, he just thinks they’re cool and wants to talk to you about them for an hour.
Louise O’Toole: Auntie-Hero
‘It’s me, hi, I’m the problem drinker at your child’s communion, it’s me.’ A single pringle in a Tinder world, Louise is starting to worry that she has more in common with her friends’ 10-year-olds, than their parents.
Sapphire McIntosh: Squeaky Bum Time
A hilarious, personal dive into the beautiful game and the not-so-beautiful bits of life.
From muddy pitches growing up in Yorkshire to chasing impossible dreams as an artist in London, Sapphire debuts her story, the story of a female footballer who refused to quit, even when life kept throwing her red cards.
Robin Hague: Momentously Normal
Momentously Normal or “Answers to Cistener’s Questions”. Thrill at the momentous normality of a trans person!
Rory M Spence: Mammal
Rory M Spence is a mammal. He is also a human male comedian from Glasgow that The Stand Comedy Club called “so weird, so funny”.
Ben Van der Velde: Van der Laugh Generator
One of the best improvisers on the stand-up circuit tries to make sense of the chaos of the world. Join Ben as he squeezes the comedy juice out of everything under the sun, from hunter-gatherers to AI, XL bullies to boardgames and beyond.
Will Duggan: The Girl with the Duggan Tattoo
After a year of not writing a new stand-up show (very relaxing), Will Duggan has in fact written a new stand-up show (less relaxing). But fear not the show he has written is definitely the best show that he has ever written and possibly the best show ANYONE has ever written. Wow. Pretty confident.
That’s Clown
It’s the Glasgow International Comedy Festival edition of monthly Glasgow-based clowning show: That’s Clown!
Hosted by Jeff Khan and Hannah Cruickshank
Chris Brooker’s Out Of Nowhere!
Becoming the cool uncle? Easy. STAYING the cool uncle? That’s a little bit harder…
When you’re the cool uncle in the sitcom of your nephews’ lives you have certain responsibilities.
Nerine Skinner: Decisions, Decisions (Work In Progress)
BGT Semi-Finalist, Nerine Skinner, has always been indecisive and needs your help. Ever since she was little making the smallest decision has been tricky and when you have so many ideas, how do you pick what to use?
Tom Whiston: Night Mail (WIP)
In the sorting room of a late-night post office, a naughty 1940s postman passes an hour with pranks, letters and telegrams from the future, while waiting for news of the war in this fast-talking, absurdist character comedy.
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Amelia Bayler: It Me Baby One More Time (WIP)
Amelia Bayler (Best Newcomer Scottish Comedy Awards, Finalist Musical Comedy Awards) is bringing a work-in-progress of her new show to GICF!
George Fox: The Horrors Persist, But So Do I (WIP)
The day before the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe, Irish comedian George Fox discovered his favourite thing (sugar) was killing him. Sugar is in everything – cakes, alcohol, even bread! Having inherited this strange sweet malady – find out how what could have finished him, has instead helped him refresh his life.
Cracking Good Jokes Show
Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland’s best comedians. Line up to be confirmed
Donny Vostok: Heet (The Crowd Work Show, I Swear I’ll Try My Best To Not Talk About 1995’s Heat For An Hour)
Look I will try my best to talk about what you want to talk about… But I won’t lie it might prove difficult, have you ever seen Heat? It’s amazing.
“Ever-versatile”- The Skinny
Bring Yer (Big) Bairn
A comedy show aimed at parents bringing their big bairns to an adults live comedy show!
Sam See: Sam See It, Sam Say It, Sam Sorted (WIP)
After years of unique comedy hours about being illegally gay, sex education, and emotional storytelling, Sam’s been told by his agent to do a normal stand-up show. He’s been instructed to have no slideshows, no crowd work, no edu-tainment, and NO HEARTFELT MESSAGES.
Keith Farnan: Good?
I’ve been a stand-up for quite a while. For me, part of that job means constantly keeping one eye on what’s going on in the world as you look for material and insight into the world.
Annabelle James: Annabalism
Sydney export Annabelle James brings a fresh hour of stand-up about swapping beaches for bagpipes and discovering that even when two countries speak English, there’s still a wee language barrier. It’s a warm, witty & whimsical look at finding your feet (and losing your tan) far from home.
Loretta Maine: MOm iS BaCk (WIP)
Loretta Maine, singer-songwriter and truth speaker returns to the stage after a 10 year hiatus to share her rage about motherhood, fame and the price of a flat white. Expect earworms, requests for validation and a cathartic experience for all parents everywhere.
John Aggasild: Welcome Home (WIP)
One more song about moving along the highway, can’t say much of anything that’s new – Carole King.
John returns to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival with a work-in-progress show 200 years in the making.
Michael Welch: All Rizz, No Filter
I was one number off winning the EuroMillions… come and hear the story.
Diving headfirst into the mayhem of his early 30s, Michael Welch returns with a raw, razor-sharp hour — no filters, and definitely no luck. ★★★★★ “I am certain this comedian is destined for a Netflix special.”
Cracking Good Jokes Show
Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland’s best comedians. Line up to be confirmed
Cracking Good Jokes Show
Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland’s best comedians. Line up to be confirmed
Paul Campbell: The Lost Tapes of Somerfield
The first known show of the dead supermarket comedy genre. Paul Campbell reflects on how as a socially isolated teenager he became a fan boy of the 00s supermarket Somerfield, spending at least 45 minutes a day in those sacred aisles, and how he grieved the closure of his beloved Stretford branch.
Alvin & Eva Go Woke
Alvin Bang and Eva Peroni have left behind their war criminal pasts, dyed their hair blue, stocked up on avocados and they’re ready to smash the glass ceiling at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
Sarah Bradley: How to Write a Romcom
Ever wished your life was more like a movie? Join romantic comedy scholar Sarah Bradley as she takes you through a journey of comforting clichés, timeless tropes, falling-in-love montages and predictable endings.
Kuan-wen: Andrews Are the Worst
Have you ever noticed those men around you who are called Andrew…. all seem to be a bit of a c**t?
Stand Up for Palestine GICF 2026
This is a fundraiser for Palestine relief supported by some passionate comedians who have come together to crowd fund a donation to Medial Aid for Palestinians so please come on down to get some giggles and help Gaza at the same time!
Richard Todd: Pencil Case (WIP)
November 2025. Writing through a haze of flu symptoms, Richard, tucked in too tight beneath a duvet of tyrannical tog levels, wheezes out the blurb for an as yet unwritten show; his failure as an adult is certain, but adults of all ilks will be investigated.
Nate Kitch: Something Different!!!!!
Kitch (me) comes to Glasgow with his absurd, alternative quad-award-nominated sold out Edinburgh Fringe show.
“It’s sort of about Charlatans, voices & Rasputin; there’s big laughs, lulls, shouting & faffing. Oh & I’ve got a hat.”
Matt Macdonald: Some Man (WIP)
Matt MacDonald is a comedian. Matt MacDonald is also Disabled. Matt has been disabled all his life. Aside from one time in the 2010s where the government decided that he wasn’t. This show is about that.
Gareth Gwynn: Cyril (Work in Progress)
Cyril Gwynn (1897-1988), also known as The Bard Of Gower, was “a tall, sunburnt, unsmiling farmer”. Gareth Gwynn (1983-Present) is none of these things.
Adam Riley: Immense Darkness
A deadpan redhead who performs at top comedy clubs across the country such as The Comedy Store and Up the Creek, Adam Riley brings a legion of cancel-worthy jokes to the Glasgow Comedy Festival.
Dan Kelly: How I Went to Every Supermarket in the World
Dan has been a data collector for 10 years. You know when they say how much it costs to live somewhere? He’s the guy who has to find out.
Grace Mulvey: Work In Progress Show
New work in progress show from BBC Galton & Simpson comedy winner Grace Mulvey, an Irish stand-up taking the UK comedy scene by storm.
Ciaran Chillingworth: Subcontracted Tombola Fun Hour (presented by Ray)
Hello. I (Ciaran Chillingworth*) have decided to make it in show business. As such, I have fallen in with a man called Ray who runs a tombola company. He has subcontracted me to run a tombola for one hour at your festival.
Shawn Uyosa: To Be Young, Black And Genius
Shawn Uyosa is a Nigerian born Irish comedian who has been performing stand up comedy since he was 17 years old and has since performed all over the World including in London, Glasgow, Dublin and even New York!
Hannah Cruickshank: Both Parties
You’re invited to the debut hour from local clown Hannah Cruickshank.
It’s a party.
There will be audience participation.
Photo credit: Genevieve Gates
Tadiwa Mahlunge: Hakuna Ma Tad Tad
“I’m back with a new show about how being a refugee forged my ambition and self belief. I have in no way cynically leveraged my life story and timed this tour to profiteer off the tense mood on immigration, and any such allegation will be met with litigation from my mother.” – Tadiwa
Zoe Brownstone: Wink In Progress
Zoe’s had many jobs — cannabis consultant, copywriter, clown — but none have been as confusing as being her mother’s daughter.
Jade Gebbie: The People Pleaser
Jade Gebbie (writer for The News Quiz, The Now Show and more) has always been a people pleaser, but now that she’s hit her mid-thirties she’s delving into how it’s held her back, annoyed her loved ones and why overthinking fictional scenarios isn’t a reasonable excuse for missing a work meeting. Come along to this debut from Jade for fun, laughter and a bit of anxiety… after all, she is a millennial.
James Byron: Everything Will Be Fine
James Byron is bringing their debut solo show to the Glasgow International Comedy festival hoping that that a blend of straight stand-up and alt-comedy will reassure their audience that ‘everything will be fine,’ even if ‘everything’ currently feels far from ‘fine’.
Isaac Ennis: May I Be Of Assistance? (WIP)
Let Isaac take you by the hand and lead you on a light-hearted ramble down life’s dark alleyways. Assisted Dying! Unassisted Living! God! Gerontophobia! Empire Biscuits! And could Comedy Clubs really be Gateways to Hell? All this and not much more, in a show that promises nothing.
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
John O’Keeffe: Work In Progress
Fresh from bringing a sell-out show to the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, award-winning Irish comedian John O’Keeffe debuts a new work-in-progress show to the Glasgow Comedy Festival.
Daniel Downie: Is Scottish?
Comedian Daniel Downie is Scottish, and a historian in Scottish History, but what does it mean to be ‘Scottish?’ This is a show about our perceptions of ‘Scottishness’ and if they are genuine or invented.
Cracking Good Jokes Show
Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland’s best comedians. Line up to be confirmed
Chris Thorburn’s Mash-Up Meltdown
A blasphemous dance party of cursed mash-ups and ill-advised remixes from Chris Thorburn. For fans of DMX, Dolly Parton, Smash Mouth, the Eastenders theme, Avril Lavigne, Quincy Jones, Bart Simpson, Prodigy, Whitney Houston and the YouTube To MP3 tool.
Bring Yer (Big) Bairn
A comedy show aimed at parents bringing their big bairns to an adults live comedy show!
Maia Tassalini: I Was 22 and Stunning (WIP)
In her debut hour, BBC New Comedian of the Year finalist 2024 and Pleasance Reserve 2025 alum Maia Tassalini guides the audience through an odyssey of power, shame, gossip, sex, public humiliation and being the world’s number one Monica Lewinsky stan.
“Maia is a natural. Born to do it. Unreal!” Shaparak Khorsandi
Crying at the Meat Raffle
Following a sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run, Hannah Ireland & Rosie Hess are bringing this chaotic and heartfelt hour of stand-up comedy to the GICF.
Erin McKinnie: Work In Progress
Erin McKinnie, stand-up comedian and singer, is getting ready for Fringe 2026 with her work-in-progress show featuring new and tested material. Drawing from personal experiences and recent observations, she will share stories, gags, and music in this WIP show. That’s right, expect a couple of songs along the way. “She embobies all that is good in Scottish comedy with a flavour of a young Victoria Wood” – North West End UK review.
Richard Brown & Chris Thorburn: Despite Our Best Efforts, The Boys Are Back In Town
A two-hander from festival favourites Richard Brown and Chris Thorburn
Vladimir McTavish: 2026 (Work In Progress)
Following the sell-out success of his 2025 Edinburgh Fringe show “The Last Chance Saloon”, Vladimir McTavish starts work on his next solo hour with this work-in-progress show, looking at the state of the world in 2026 and how it parallel his own state of decline.
Paul McDaniel: Harder Better Faster PAUL-ER (Redux)
Come see the Northern Irish deadpan comic’s new show where he talks about striving to be that bit more Paul-er. Perfect if you’re a Paul or friends with one!
Tour support for Susie McCabe
Cracking Good Jokes Show
Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland’s best comedians. Line up to be confirmed
Cracking Good Jokes Show
Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland’s best comedians. Line up to be confirmed
Andrew Cornelius: American Apology Tour (WIP)
“Good American” and Los Angeles based stand-up comedian, Andrew Cornelius, is sorry. For everything.
In this hour-long WIP / mea culpa, he will work out his new stand-up comedy, exhibit pre-recorded sketches, and improvise his way into an apology on behalf of the United States.
Sid Ozalid: Amazing Wonders of Scotland
Multi-award winning Scottish Comedy Poet and Mentalist, Sid Ozalid is thrilled to return to the GICF after last year’s sell out show.
Celine Kuklowsky: Bed Boy (WIP)
Bed Boy is the debut comedy hour of Celine Kuklowsky, an American existential comedian who spends a lot of time in bed. Join Celine as they investigate the planned obsolescence of their body, yours and the planet at large.
Kieran Carr: Too Old For Teddy Bears
Kieran has had a few thoughts about a few things that have happened over the past few years. He has now put those thoughts into a long string of thoughts and created this show.
Jonny Brook: This Isn’t The Life I Expected
Jonny Brook, a shambles of a growned up, trying and often failing to adapt to being a disabled human.
Salma Habib Lyons: Work In Progress
Salma is a Brit Pakistani stand-up comedian from a working-class background, known for blending sharp political witty commentary with personal stories drawn from her formidable Pakistani mother and Irish family. Laugh & explore how the core of our funny lives are the great and awful humans who make us—especially the ones who tried to raise you! With sass, heart, and well-aimed political punches, her material is both fearless and refreshingly original.
Juliette Burton: Sexy Nerdy Work In Progress
As the sun sets, a new hero awakens. Calling all late-night legends, dungeon-crawling romantics, and big-hearted heroes! Juliette Burton is summoning YOU. This after-dark work in progress comedy confessional steps into the dark side.
David Hoare: How To Live To 100
Musical-One-Liner-Stand-Up Comedian David Hoare (aged 36) is going to teach you how to live to 100!
Will Hannigan: Will In Progress
Will Hannigan has opened for famous comedians like Shane Gillis and Bobby Lee, was voted Funniest Person in Edmonton, performed at Just For Laughs NW and his albums can be heard on satellite radio across North America.
Bella Humphries: Big Sister Energy
After the success of her three times award nominated debut hour, Square Peg, Bella is back with a brand new show.
Craig Wilson: This Might Be Nothing
Craig has been thinking about quitting his day job. In this economy?! Believe it! The big lad is back and he’s got some stories to tell, that audiences have been calling “honest,’ “brave,” and “the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard a person say.”
Madeleine Munford: Stand-Up, Look Pretty
Who the F*$% is Madeleine? Madeleine Munford is an anxiety-riddled, bisexual New Yorker who is a libra rising and possibly the reincarnation of Princess Diana.
Mara Joy: I Am (Not) A Robot (WIP)
Have you ever wondered if you were secretly a robot?
Mara Joy has. Consistently and intrusively since she was a small ‘boy’. Now a 38 year old woman with many years of mental health diagnoses, therapy, life experiences, and at least one intervention from the UK Supreme Court behind her: it’s time to finally get a definitive answer! Probably. It’s a Work-in-Progress, after all..
Lorraine Hoodless is Mean
Lorraine Hoodless is Mean. Or is she just standing up for herself and shedding her good girl reputation? She’s definitely had enough of the BS flying out of the mouths of world leaders and click baiting, hate mongering online trolls.
Richard Pulsford: Yorkshire Dad, Immigrant Mum
Stand-up comedian Richard Pulsford (former Scottish Comedian of the Year runner-up) takes a nostalgic tour into his parents’ past to try to understand how it made them who they were, and therefore the person who he is.
Amy Annette: Busy Body
Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival nominee.
What happens when you mix a child who was called an “Old Soul” with a woman who has been called a “Fun Aunt”? You get Amy Annette. And, who is Amy Annette? “Amy is one of my favourite comedians”- Aisling Bea.
Cracking Good Jokes Show
Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland’s best comedians
Line up to be confirmed
Cracking Good Jokes Show
Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland’s best comedians
Line up to be confirmed
Ruaridh Miller: Work In Progress
A work in progress hour from a rising star of the Scottish comedy circuit.
Usually Ruaridh would give an insight into what the show will be about, but none of it is written yet. There will likely be jokes about dogs, Tories and Viennetta.
Amanda Dwyer: Better Than Revenge (WIP)
Hi, I’m Amanda Dwyer, and yes, I do remember what you said to me in 2013.
Better Than Revenge is a work in progress stand up comedy show about wanting to take revenge. Whether it’s on passive aggressive coworkers or the people who have humiliated me the most, I’m going after them.
Warning: contains strong language and extreme pettiness.
Kathleen Hughes: Twig (WIP)
Like most people, Kathleen comes from a long line of other people.
Following her acclaimed 2024 Fringe debut, Glaswegian comic Kathleen Hughes returns with a work-in-progress show all about family, legacy and why she’s like this.
Tattoo Dave: Get in the Bin
Tattoo Dave’s social media numbers are spiralling both upwards, and out of control… and he has no idea what’s going on!
This is his guide on how best to navigate social media success as a grown up; the resulting death threats, abuse, & arguments with 1980’s pop icons, & then having to explain it all to your 80yr old mother.
Giulia Galastro: Growth (WIP)
Holy smokes, it’s the beginnings of Giulia Galastro’s brand new show! It might be about growth, or a growth, or both.
“A shining light on the current Scottish comedy scene” – The Skinny
“Strong, slick” – The Edinburgh Laughter Bulletin
Sabina: Hide & Seek (Approval) (WIP)
Sabina was born 3 decades ago but has only recently realised that other’s approval isn’t the most important thing in the world?!!? WHAT?
Bring Yer (Big) Bairn
A comedy show aimed at parents bringing their big bairns to an adults live comedy show!
Chunks of the Year 2026
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Jessie Nixon: Don’t Make Me Regret This
Are you a lapsed catholic? Queer? Occasionally distraught? Or too smart for your own good? Have you cried in a changing room?
Committed a crime? Eaten a whole cake in one sitting? You’ll like this. Bring your boyfriend but only if he’s gonna be cool. Ok?
In her debut hour of Standup, Jessie Nixon is putting her life on the line for you.
Sam Coade: Birth of the Fool (WIP)
Sam Coade (BBC Radio 4, BBC Scotland) brings a work-in-progress version of his debut solo show to Glasgow. Join him as he dives into the world of jazz, wedding bands, and what it means to be in the moment in this offbeat show.
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Friday Afternoon Comedy
Glasgow International Comedy Festival's most prominent comedy producers present: our flagship show featuring Scotland's best comedians in a laidback time slot for laidback folks
Ian Murphy: £1Million to None
What happens when you lose £1Million on a live TV gameshow? You write a comedy show of course. From the build up, to the backstage gossip, to the agonising moment. Come a relive a fairly monumental day in my life and how I survived with my sanity mostly intact to tell the tale.
Milo Edwards: Work In Progress
Critically acclaimed comedian Milo Edwards is trying out some new jokes.
Lenny Sherman: One of the Good Guys
Charming cockney geezer Lenny Sherman THINKS he’s one of the good guys.
But the reality is the 6’4”, 18 stone, scary, intimidating, inappropriate, doolally, ex con, is blind to his flaws and thinks his crazy behaviour is normal… And that’s where the comedy lies.
Maddie HW: Gaylord
GAYLORD is the electric UK debut from award-winning Australian comedian Maddie HW, fresh off sold-out tours across Australia and rapidly making her mark on the London comedy circuit.
Jeff Khan: Christmas Day, Four AM
Jeff Khan is a clown who loves Christmas. But more than the presents, or the dinner, his favourite bit has always been four o’clock in the morning, before anyone’s up, when it’s dark and it’s quiet and the whole day lies ahead.
Amy Matthews: Definitions of Toast (WIP)
Following a 5-star tour of her show that is now a special on ITVX, a the launch of her subsequent show on vinyl, Amy Matthews is scratching about in the dirt for new jokes and new ideas.