BBC Comedy Festival 2023

WEDNESDAY 24 – FRIDAY 26 MAY 2023 The BBC Comedy team invite you to join them, and a host of special guests, in Cardiff — the BBC City of Comedy for 2023 — to explore, celebrate and reflect on comedy.

Please click through on each event to book a ticket.

Important information about booking tickets:

  • You will be able to book one ticket per event.
  • There are a limited number of tickets available, and you have a one week window to book before these tickets are released to a wider audience. Please book the tickets you’ll require by 19 April to ensure your space.
  • Tickets are not transferable to others.
  • Tickets can only be booked online and not over the phone.
  • If you cannot attend an event after booking, please contact Sherman Theatre.
  • Tickets for events at the Sherman will be emailed to you. If you have booked for events at other venues you will receive an email confirmation which you will need to show to a member of BBC staff at the venue.
  • For performance of contract and to facilitate your booking, the name of each booker will be shared with the event organisers (BBC). Your details will be held until the end of the festival.

Access information:

  • Live dialogue at events will be BSL interpreted and captioned, with subtitles for video clips. If you would like more information about the Access provision at the Festival, please contact comedyevents@bbc.co.uk.
  • Wheelchair spaces are available in both our Studio and Main House – if you require a wheelchair space please let the Box Office know once you’ve booked your ticket (029 2064 6900 or box.office@shermantheatre.co.uk).
  • You can find information about Access at the Sherman here. If you would like to find out more about Access at the Sherman or to make us aware of your Access requirements, please contact the Box Office (029 2064 6900 or box.office@shermantheatre.co.uk).

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WEDNESDAY 24 MAY

20.00 – 22.00
COMEDY SHORT FILM NIGHT
VENUE –Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Rd, Cardiff CF24 4YE

Need a night off from chatting aimlessly with your peers and friends? Why not sit in a dark room and chuckle to your hearts content at some comedy short films. We’ll be showcasing the work of up-and-coming talent from across the UK.

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THURSDAY 25 MAY

09.30 – 10.00 – Arrivals

10.00 – 11.30 (Main House)
BBC Comedy Commissioning Update
Join BBC’s Director of Comedy, Jon Petrie plus extra special guests to expand on the vision and plans for BBC Comedy in 2023. Not to be missed.

For any late comers this will be screened in the Studio space at Sherman Theatre.

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12.00 – 13.00 (Main House)
In Conversation with… Sharon Horgan
Legendary comedy polymath, Sharon Horgan, has created, directed or written comedies including Bad Sisters, Catastrophe, Divorce, Motherland and Pulling. Join her in conversation with Holly Walsh talking about her career and experiences on both sides of the camera.

OR

12.15 – 13.00 (Studio)
United Nations Of Comedy
BBC’s Emma Lawson, Gregor Sharp, Eddie Doyle, Gavin Smith, Paul Forde and Sea & Sky’s Adam Bouabda take stock on last years City of Comedy, and our partnerships across the Nations. We’ll be announcing new developments, as well as talking plans and aspirations for this years City of Comedy in Cardiff, plus all of the new opportunities we have across the UK that the indie sector can be getting involved with.

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13.30 – 14.15 (Studio)
The Business of Making Comedy
Join Head Business Honcho Rebecca O’Connor to discuss everything you ever wanted to know about co-pros, deficit funding and changing trends as well as BBC considerations when it comes to the heady Business Of Making Comedy. Hosted by top comedy businessman Kenton Allen.

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14.00 – 15.00 (Main House)
That Tricky First Episode
Join Phil Clarke, Bisha K Ali, Nida Manzoor & Tom Basden as they dissect what it takes to makes a successful pilot/first episode. Our guests provide gems of insight from hit shows such as Peep Show, Ms Marvel, We Are Lady Parts & Here We Go.

OR

14.45 – 15.30 (Studio)
Call My Comedy Agent!
Hear some of the UK’s best agents talk about the dramatic changes that have taken place in the comedy industry over the last decade. Panellists include Duncan Hayes (Ricky Gervais, Sharon Horgan), Maureen Vincent (Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders), Rebecca Dowell (Munya Chawawa, Amelia Dimoldenberg) & Christian Ogunbanjo (Adjani Salmon, Ali Hughes).

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15.45 – 16.45 (Main House)
In Conversation with… Jesse Armstrong
Peep Show, Fresh Meat, The Thick Of It, Succession… multi-award winning Jesse Armstrong is behind some of the funniest and most iconic television in history. What’s his secret? Maybe he’ll tell us in this session. No refunds if he doesn’t.

OR

16.15 – 17.15 (Studio)
You Can’t Say That!
Well… what can you say? Actually… whilst we are on it, what can you do to create accessible environments too? This session is designed to help with just that! Created by the TV Access Project, The 5 As – Anticipate, Ask, Assess, Adjust and Advocate – are guidelines for disability inclusion in UK television production. In this session, sitcom writer Laurence Clark and actress Melissa Johns from BAFTA-winning, disabled-led organisation TripleC will take you through how to apply the 5 A’s in comedy productions.

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18.00 – 19.00 (Main House)
In Conversation with… Rob Brydon
Join us for an hour of conversation with national treasure, Rob Brydon, as he discusses his career in comedy, spanning writing, acting, impressions, stand-up and presenting, with BAFTA winning producer, Ash Atalla.

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20.00 – 22.30
BBC COMEDY SHORT FILM PREMIERE
VENUE: Everyman Cinema, Mermaid Quay, Units 13 & 14, Cardiff CF10 5BZ
You’re invited to the preview evening of our BBC Comedy Short Films. Come, sit back, munch on some popcorn, TURN OFF YOUR PHONES, and celebrate the creative collaborations from up and coming and established comedy talent in the UK.
Please note that when booking for this event you will receive an email confirmation which you’ll need to show to a member of BBC staff at the Everyman Cinema.

OR

20.30 – 22.00
DMS ARE OPEN PODCAST RECORD LIVE!
VENUE: Betty Campbell Studio at BBC Cymru Wales New Broadcasting House
Radio 4extra’s open door show DM’s Are Open comes to the BBC Comedy Festival in Cardiff. Hosts Athena Kugblenu and Ali Official will be joined by a cast of Welsh actors performing sketches and jokes submitted by the public.
Please note that when booking for this event you will receive an email confirmation which you’ll need to show to a member of staff at BBC Cymru Wales New Broadcasting House.

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FRIDAY 26 MAY

09.30 – 10.00 – Arrivals

The third day is targeted towards anyone with a new career in TV & comedy & people looking to break into or advance their career in the industry.

10.00 – 11.00 (Main House)
Kayleigh Llewellyn – From BAFTA to beyond
Join award-winning writer Kayleigh Llewellyn (In My Skin, Killing Eve, Stella) as she talks about her career and how she got her first breaks in the industry.

OR

10.15 – 11.15 (Studio)
Writing for Audio Comedy
Richard Morris (Creative Director of Audio at BBC Studios Comedy) is joined by Rajiv Karia (Producer, DMs Are Open, BBC Radio 4) and a panel of guests including Ella Woods, Robin Morgan and Victoria Lloyd to talk about writing satirical comedy for BBC Radio 4 shows like The Now Show, The News Quiz, Dead Ringers and DMs Are Open, as well as the Audio to TV development process and other opportunities in the Audio Comedy world. Rajiv Karia, Ella Woods, Robin Morgan and Victoria Lloyd.

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11.30 – 12.30 (Main House)
Character Comedy Masterclass with Jamie Demetriou, Diane Morgan, Katy Wix & Danielle Vitalis
Hear about the journeys to screen that our multi-BAFTA winning Character Comedy actors have taken. How does developing a comedy character differ from the conventional scripting process and why is it so hard?!

OR

11.45 – 12.45 (Studio)
COMMISSIONING: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Too Afraid To Ask
Join host Iyare Igiehon with guests including Tanya Qureshi and Maddy Addy as they delve into the dark arts of BBC commissioning. This is the space to ask anything you ever wanted to the people that might just have the answer. (Just don’t expect a quick reply.)

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13.15 – 14.00 (Studio)
The Comedy Edit: Making funny people funnier
Timing is everything in comedy and no-one understands it better than the editor. Join Gareth Heal (People Just Do Nothing, Chewing Gum) and the editing elite as they open the comedy editing toolbox and talk through the tricks of the trade. No dead air, guaranteed.

OR

13.30 – 14.30 (Main House)
TV MASTERCLASS with Peter Baynham
From Cardiff to the Oscars, from iconic British comedy (The Day Today, I’m Alan Partridge, Borat) to hit international animation (Ron’s Gone Wrong, Arthur Christmas) – by way of the merchant navy – hear the inspiring story of one of Britain’s most successful comedy writers, Peter Baynham.

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14.30 – 15.30 (Studio)
BBC THREE SNEAK PEEK!! Followed by Q&A with cast and creators

OR

15.00 – 16.00 (Main House)
How To Be A Producer
Join host Morwenna Gordon and guests to learn about everything you need to be a producer, how the best in the business got started and how you can follow in their footsteps. A must see session for all budding producers. Panel includes Stu Richards, Gill Isles and Caroline Norris.

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16.30 – 17.30 (Main House)
How to get a TV show with Mawaan Rizwan
Mawaan sits down with the Head of Talent Development, Navi Lamba to discuss his journey from YouTube to creating and starring in his first ever TV series for BBC Three, Juice. They will be later joined by Hannah Moulder and Rosco 5 to discuss making the series.

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18.30 (Main House)
Man Like Mobeen Exclusive Screening plus a Q&A with Guz Khan

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