grin up north 2006

Grin Up North Comedy Festival

It’s nearly four years since we first thought about putting a comedy festival on in Sheffield, and this will be our third bash. Guess what? It’s the best yet!

In essence, nothing has changed over the last four years. The festival is still planned down to the last detail, on the bag of a fag packet in Scott’s bus on the EIS car park on November afternoons. It’s still a collection of the best stand up, sketch, circus and film comedy in the UK and beyond, and we’re still providing things for all audiences from three to ninety three. Our enthusiasm hasn’t changed, we’re still raring to go each October, and completely shattered two weeks later, and the enjoyment that the acts get out of coming to Sheffield hasn’t changed, as you’re still the best audience in the country.

However, we can feel a little change. Just a teeny one. There’s a bit of a different feel around the festival office this year, and we weren’t sure what it was. Then we realised, it’s because we feel part of the Sheffield furniture now. After the last two years, we know it works, and we know we’re here for good. And it shows.

Look at this year’s brochure and the people in it. Look at the new venues, like The Octagon and The Crucible, fantastic Sheffield landmarks that are now part of the festival family. Look at what we’ve got ready for you, then come and laugh at it.

Ross and Jimmy are back, we’re part of their national touring schedule now, and we’ve got great acts like Sean Lock, Frankie Boyle and Michael McIntyre making their Grin Up North debuts. We’re over the moon to have the world famous Comedy Store Players at The Crucible, and can’t wait to laugh along with the little ‘uns when we see James at The Memorial Hall. The Lescar continues it’s fifteen year long tradition of great comedy in a small room, with it’s reputation amongst acts as one of the finest comedy clubs in the country. With acts like Brendon Burns, Steve Gribben and Paul Sinha, that reputation can only grow.

There’s so much in this fortnight of mirth, and we do hope you’ll join us. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful festival. This year, and next year, and the year after that, and the year after………

Toby Foster

Toby Foster
Producer
Grin Up North

Toby Foster Scott Barton
Marketing & Sponsorship Director

PS And look out for the Bus – we are hoping to have it on Fargate during the Festival giving out brochures. If you look really hard, you may just spot it!