Sheffield has a long, proud comedy heritage with The Last Laugh Comedy Club being one of the longest running comedy clubs in the country. In 2005 The Last Laugh’s Toby Foster joined forces with The Sheffield Events Company, headed up by Scott Barton to form Grin Up North – The Sheffield Comedy Festival. It’s immediate success and continued growth is testament to Sheffield’s love of laughter – its readiness to come out and be entertained.

Toby Foster is a stand up comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster. He has appeared in Phoenix Nights and Extras – The Finale as well as numerous stand up shows on every major TV channel in the UK. His company programmes stand up comedy nights for major corporate events all over the UK as well as universities, charities and festivals. He has appeared all over the globe, working in far flung places such as China, Dubai, Afghanistan, Budapest and The Falkland Islands. He was nominated for a Sony award for his radio work and this year sees him taking to the boards in roles as diverse as The English Mystery Plays at Monk Bretton Priory and making his panto debut this December at The Lyceum. He presents Toby Foster Bigger At Breakfast every weekday morning on BBC Radio Sheffield.

Scott Barton has been organising events & festivals for almost 20 years and in 2000 he formed The Sheffield Events Company Ltd which organises a range of events from the After Dark Fireworks Spectacular and festivals of street entertainment to Fright Night, Britain’s Biggest Halloween Party.

Prior to his events career Scott worked in the TV & Film industry on productions including the BAFTA Award Winning A Very British Coup (C4), Jack The Ripper (ITV/Lorimer), Venus Peter (Film Four) and the Neil Jordan film High Spirits (Palace Pictures). Scott has also worked on a number of fundraising projects including working with Singer/Songwriter Joan Armatrading and BMG to produce a fundraising music CD.

Acts who have appeared at Grin Up North – The Sheffield Comedy Festival include Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, Michael McIntyre, Eddie Izzard, Al Murray, Julian Clary, Jeremy Hardy, Marcus Brigstocke, Simon Amstell, Ross Noble, Mitch Benn, Rhod Gilbert, Alan Carr, Jason Manford, Rich Hall, Dylan Moran, Jo Brand, Jo Caulfield, Lee Evans, Mark Steel, Andy Parsons, Alistair McGowan, Comedy Store Players, Tim Minchin & Sean Lock.

A big thankyou to everyone who has helped put this years festival together and the whole team here including Julian Wasley, Chris Fox, Christine Henderson, Jill Phillips & Marie Shipley… but especially to Billy Heaton who has been on placement with us from Leeds Met and done some fantastic work!