Funny Things 2019 Brochure

a festival celebrating black country humour 26 October - 2 November 2019 funny-things.co.uk / @FunnyThingsBC

Funny Roots

Welcome to Funny Things 2019

“

When reports from the Office for National Statistics stated that Wolverhampton was the unhappiest place in the UK, locals didn’t agree, and now we’ve proved it isn’t true, with Wolverhampton’s very own festival of comedy.

Black Country humour is unique, people love a good laugh and a joke, so why not have a festival that celebrates it? Creative Black Country are bringing together a range of partners and artists, to produce a festival that creates opportunities for local people to get involved, see great acts, new talent, and experience a whole load of funny things. The programme includes funny theatre, stand-up, spoken word, music, film, family activities, talks and workshops.

Laugh out loud in Wolverhampton between 26th October to 2nd November as the city hosts over 80 events to make you chuckle, giggle, snigger and guffaw!

“

Creative Black Country is an Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places Programme which aims to make the most of local talent working with people to discover, explore and grow an exciting and meaningful programme of arts activity in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

It is a partnership between Sandwell Voluntary Council, Wolverhampton Voluntary Service Council, One Walsall, Dudley Council for Voluntary Services, Multistory and Black Country Touring who collectively aim to encourage more people to experience the arts in the local area.

Find out more about our work and projects at creativeblackcountry.co.uk.

Produced by:

Festival sponsors:

Programme partners:

Venue partners:

Funded by:

Thank you!

To our sponsors: - Casino 36 - Destination Wolverhampton & The Black Country - Mander Centre - Zuri Coffee - West Midlands Metro - Wolverhampton BID Company And to: -Birmingham Comedy Festival -Black Country Chamber of Commerce -Black Country LEP -Black Country Touring -Centrala -City of Wolverhampton Council -Flatpack -Nutkhut and The Mela Partnership -University of Wolverhampton -Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council -Wulfrun Shopping Centre & THANK YOU to all the venues, partners, volunteers, performers, promoters, artists and comedians for making this happen.

Team funny things Festival Producers Creative Black Country Creative Producer Jenny Smith, Curiosity Productions Assistant Creative Producer Paige Jackson Film Programme Flatpack Projects & Black Country Touring Marketing & Content Manager Kerry O’Coy Funny Roots Co-ordinator Rosalind Argo Artist Commissions Luke Perry, Central Youth Theatre with Adam Halcro and Jacob Harvey, Hannah Graham & Olivia Winteringham, Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists Wolves Civic Venue Programme Phil Turner

Can you help us Find Our Funny Roots?

Did you ever see Black Country comedy legends Tommy Mundon, Aynuk & Ayli or Dolly Allen on the famous Black Country Night Out? Did you get the giggles watching Lenny Henry or Frank Skinner?

Creative Back Country are looking for people to share their stories and memorabilia of seeing local comedians in an effort to find out just what is so unique about Black Country humour.

Do you have funny, daft and silly tales of comedy? If you have something you’d like to share we’d love to hear from you.

We want to unearth stories of comedians and comedy from 1950 to 2000, gather oral histories and find amazing anecdotes.

Humour is an intrinsic part of the Black Country’s tradition, community and values with some of the UK’s most celebrated comedians hailing from the region so it would be great to hear about your experience of meeting or seeing some of them.

The team are open to ideas; from collections of old ticket stubs; to photos from events or people at comedy clubs; maybe you have a favourite joke from one of the comedians.

For the last few months we’ve been gathering some of these stories which have gone towards developing a new piece of work written, produced and performed by Dave Pitt, Steve Pottinger and Emma Purshouse otherwise known as Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialsits.

You’ll be able to see this brand new show at Arena Theatre on Saturday 26th October at 5pm where we invite you to join us for a chuckle down memory lane as we celebrate the Black Country comedians of the past and celebrate what makes us laugh.

This show includes British Sign Language and will be BSL interpreted and audio described.

The Funny Roots project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

To find out more about the project or to tell us your story email info@creativeblackcountry.co.uk.

INFORMATION IN A DIFFERENT FORMAT

If you require this information in LARGE TYPE FORMAT please call 0121 525 1127 and ask for the FUNNY THINGS team.

DISCLAIMER Reproduction of all editorial/ images in any form is strictly prohibited without prior permission.

Illustrations by Newtasty, commission images

by Laura Dicken, brochure design concept and production by Kerry O’Coy. We cannot be held responsible for breach of copyright arising from any material supplied.

While we aim to make sure all information is correct please see venues for further information.

Listings are subject to change.

019 2 e h t Meet y Things Funn issioned commrtists a

Pigeon Pals #Pigeonpals am comin’ to a town near yow!

Peggy and Penny are two chatty birds - glam pigeons, as you’ve never seen before. Hopping on and off local transport and pottering about the town, local bird Pegleg Peggy and her rather ditzy birdbrain Southerner pal, Penny, will be sharing delicious Black Country delights gathered from local businesses.

During the festival you might find them dishing out local food and offering tasters of their lunch to you! This is pigeons giving back, bab! Oh, and if you’re up for a bit of line dancing, be sure to catch them pulling in the crowds for a spot of impromptu feathered frolicking in the street.

Pigeon Pals will be performing in Wolverhampton City Centre at the Market, Dudley Street, Mander Centre and Wulfrun Centre on Saturday 26th October. See funnythings.co.uk for a full timetable of when Pigeon Pals will appear.

The Anthinaerium A mechanical masterpiece celebrating the weird and wonderful of Wolverhampton and the Black Country will be a centrepiece of the festival.

Luke Perry of Industrial Heritage Stronghold Artworks has worked with the people of the Black Country to design and build a giant automata that will be displayed in the Mander Centre from the 17th October to 29th November and then at Newhampton Arts Centre from the 8th December until Christmas.

Come along and turn the handle to see how the Funny Things Machine’s mechanical mayhem unfolds.

Laurel and Hardy Central Youth Theatre (CYT) are celebrating classic comedy by bringing Laurel and Hardy back to the Black Country.

CYT’s theatre company Forefront, (for members aged 18+), will be recreating these two icons of the silver screen, who will be popping up around the city centre on Saturday 26th October and Saturday 2nd November, and putting on a full production telling the story of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (at 7.30pm on Thursday 31st October at Newhampton Arts Centre). See funny-things.co.uk for a full timetable of when Laurel and Hardy will appear.

The Funny Things Joke Trail with Wolverhampton BID Over the last year our Funny Things Joke Box has been touring venues, businesses, offices and coffee shops of the Black Country. With your help we’ve collected a LOT of your favourite gags. From the downright silly, to the well-known, and the original to the (sometimes) naughty, we’ve picked our favourites and hidden them around venues in the city centre with the help of our friends at Wolverhampton BID. And now it is time for you to find them. Pick up a Joke Trail leaflet in the city centre or download one from funny-things.co.uk and see how many you can find.

Sunday 27 October

Saturday 26 October Family Street Theatre FUNNY THINGS IN THE CITY CENTRE

11am - 4pm City Centre Look out for Funny Things popping up all around Wolverhampton City Centre on the first day of the festival. Laurel and Hardy, Poetic Pigeons, Drag Queens and Kings, Dancing Grannies, Orchestra of Chaos, circus skills workshops, fun and games.

See the full schedule of performances at funny-things.co.uk Suitable for all ages. Free.

workshop is led by Kenneth Rock, a professional writer who has been writing comedy for television for over 40 years and worked with a host of comedians, including The Two Ronnies, Bobby Davro and Russ Abbot. Please bring paper and a pen.

Ticket price does not include lunch, please bring food, or there is a cafe at the gallery where you can purchase food.

16+. £10 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Film CALAMITY JANE SIGNALONG SINGALONG - BSL INTERPRETED

Family Film COMEDY FILMS IN THE SQUARE

12-8pm Queen Square The air may be getting chilly but nothing will keep you warmer than a good laugh and a jolly atmosphere. So fish out your hoodies and blankets and join us for an outdoor screening of some all-time favourite films. The day will consist of a range of familyfriendly films concluding with an evening screening of the original Ghostbusters at 6pm.

See the full schedule of films at funny-things.co.uk Suitable for all ages. Free.

Doors 1.45pm, start 2pm-3.45pm Light House Put on your cowboy hat and come down for a good ol’ singalong with the sharp-shootin’, thigh-slappin’ Calamity Jane. A classic hit musical starring Doris Day bound to lift your spirits and hopefully your voices. The screening will be accompanied by a BSL interpreter.

Rated PG. Cost - £8.90 for adults Concs: £7.40 (OAP/Disabled/ Unemployed) Under 25s and students: £4.50 via Light House.

funny-things.co.uk

Slade Rooms Join Comedy Of Black Origin as they head to the Slade Rooms for a Black History Month special with an almighty bang. Join Kat B, Luke Craig, Smash & Kane Brown for an evening of laughter.

16+. Early Bird Tickets: £15, Standard Tickets: £17.50 All tickets are subject to a booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Stand-up TREVOR LEWIS PRESENTS STAND UP FOR MYSTERY HOUR 7.30pm Arena Theatre Who will you see, it’s a Mystery.

Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, we will have a special mystery guest presenting their full-length stand-up show. Who is it? We can’t tell you that; what we can tell you is it will be an acclaimed comedian from the UK and international circuit. They may have even made an appearance on TV. A Kinder Egg with a really fun surprise. Unwrap, take a bite and don’t swallow the yellow thing inside, it could choke you. £14 full price and £12 concessions via Arena Theatre.

Stand-up ED SUMMER’S SCHOOL OF BURGLARY

Workshop WRITING COMEDY FOR TELEVISION

Doors 10.45am, start 11am-5pm Wolverhampton Art Gallery Learn the basic skills of writing comedy. No previous experience is required. Through a series of tasks and presentations, you will acquire the skills required to write professional comedy scripts. Topics will include writing visual material, writing sketches, creating and developing a situation comedy. The workshop will include group writing. This

Stand-up COBO: COMEDY SHUTDOWN Doors 7pm (last entry 7.30pm), start 7.45pm-9.30pm

Theatre FINDING YOUR FUNNY ROOTS BSL INTEGRATED PERFORMANCE Doors 4.45pm, start 5pm-6pm Arena Theatre Join us for a chuckle down memory lane as we celebrate the Black Country comedians of the past and celebrate what makes us Black Country people laugh.

Finding Our Funny Roots has been created by Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists, with help from our fabulous volunteers.

This show includes BSL and will be BSL interpreted and audio described.

This project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Age 12+. £5 via Arena Theatre.

Doors 8.15pm, start 8.30pm9.20pm The Lych Gate Tavern Relentlessly energetic Eddie leads us through the physical demands of cutting alarm systems, dealing with dangerous dogs and blowing bank safes ... but he’s terrible at it. Prop/Standup/absurdist burglary as taught by an idiot.

Age 16+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up DARREN HARRIOTT: GOOD HEART YUTE

Doors 7pm, start 8pm-10pm Light House Best Newcomer Nominee Darren considers himself a good person.

Now he’s 30 and he’s never been in love. It can’t always be someone else’s fault? Learning more about himself and realising maybe he’s never actually been happy with who he is, join Darren for his trademark passion and insightful wit as he tries to work himself out.

Age 14+. Cost £14 plus booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Stand-up Magic DAMON CONLAN: JOCULAR PRESTIDIGITATOR Doors 9.45pm, start 10pm-11pm Casino36 Mortals! Come seek refuge from the political fallout of the modern age and witness miracles* of a scientific nature. In this postapocalyptic sanctuary observe a new world of mutant showbiz raccoons, cocoa-based gluttony, and spectacular telepathy**. *Miracles aren’t real, fools. **Telepathy isn’t real, fools.

Age 18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Workshop IMPROV AND COMPERING WORKSHOP: BEN VAN DE VELDE

11am-4.30pm Wolverhampton Art Gallery Whether you’re an open mic comic wanting to learn the basics of compering or a more seasoned pro keen to extend your skillset, join accomplished compere Ben Van der Velde for this workshop focusing on the skills of hosting and crowd work.

All abilities/levels of experience welcome.

Ticket price does not include lunch, please bring food, or there is a cafe at the gallery where you can purchase food.

14+. £40 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Film THE VERY BEST OF LAUREL AND HARDY

Doors 12.30pm, start 1pm-3.20pm Light House Three classic black and white comedies featuring the greatest double-act of all time.

The Finishing Touch (1928) Laurel and Hardy are hired to finish building a house, with the offer of a $500 bonus if they do it quickly.

Can they finish the job on time?

Silent/ 20mins The Music Box (1932) The Boys have a piano to deliver. However, the address - at the top of a long flight of steps - proves somewhat challenging. Winner of the 1932 Academy Award for Best Comedy Short. 30mins Sons Of The Desert (1933) Stan and Ollie swear an oath to attend the Sons of the Desert’s annual convention in Chicago, but when it looks like their wives won’t let them go, Ollie hatches a cunning plan. Featuring one of the most famous lines in movie history: “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!” 64mins Presented by John Ullah, Grand Sheik of The Laughing Gravy Tent (the Birmingham branch of the Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society), and author of This Is More Than I Can Stand, the biography of Birminghamborn Laurel and Hardy co-star

monday 28 October Charlie Hall. A Birmingham Comedy Festival presentation in association with The Laughing Gravy Tent for Funny Things.

Rated U. £9 + bf via Light House.

Poetry POETS, PRATTLERS, AND PANDEMONIALISTS

Stand-up RICH STOKES: EXTREME PARENTING Doors 4.45pm, start 5pm-6pm The Lych Gate Tavern This is a show for anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to have a child of their own.

How do you choose a name? How do you bring them up to be strong and confident? How do you hold on to a job when you constantly have Weetabix smeared all down your front?

Suitable for all ages. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

through adult eyes. Star Wars, He-Man, My Little Ponies and many more (about three more).

This is not a show for children just for adults who never grew up.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up BEN VAN DER VELDE: FABLEMAKER

Stand-up GARY DELANEY: GAGSTER’S PARADISE

Stand-up RACHEL SAMBROOKS: STAND BY YOUR NAN

Doors 3pm, start 3.30pm-4.30pm Light House Three poets meet to plot their path to fame and fortune. Will they be distracted by beer and scratchings? Will they put the world to rights? Come and find out. An evening of poetry and theatre like you’ve never seen before. The poets invite you to join them for a drink and chat after the show in the Lighthouse Cafe for an informal Q&A. 16+. £5 + bf via Light House.

Dance/ workshop FORBIDDEN IDENTITY - WORKSHOP AND PERFORMANCE IN BSL WITH VOICE-OVER IN SPOKEN ENGLISH

Doors 4.45pm, start 5pm-6pm Wolverhampton Art Gallery Andrei Dragunov is one of the most advanced tutting artists in the world, he’s also deaf. After stunning audiences at Deafest, Andrei returns to Wolverhampton to the Funny Things festival. For the first time he’ll collaborate with Walsall based, Deaf street dancer, Billy Read to lead a tutting workshop and show a short section of their new work in progress, Forbidden Identity (commissioned by Birmingham Dance Hub). Tutting involves the movement of fingers and arms to create shapes in a unique form of dance. The workshop is fully accessible to deaf and hearing participants.

12+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

#FunnyThings2019

Doors 6.15pm, start 6.30pm7.45pm Lych Gate Tavern Rachel describes her nan as ‘the original Educating Rita crossed with Buddha of Suburbia’ who pretended to be an ordinary working-class housewife whilst hiding her true hippy nature.

A sitcom in herself, come hear some hilarious tales spanning the 20th century of her Brummy Nan and bring your own to share.

14+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Theatre BRIAN DUFFY: THE MIIME PERFORMED IN BSL WITH VOICEOVER IN SPOKEN ENGLISH Doors 6.45pm, start 7pm-7.40pm Wolverhampton Art Gallery Watch a man growing up, who struggles to connect with people.

Find out the touching and humorous ways our hero tries to negotiate a world that he doesn’t understand and that doesn’t understand him. Funny Things Festival welcomes Duffy, a mime artist, actor and theatre director to present a new art form: Nu Visual - a unique blend of deaf storytelling ‘Visual Vernacular’ and mime.

14+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up STEVE MCLEAN: ACTION FIGURE ARCHIVE Doors 6.45pm, start 7pm-8pm The Giffard Arms What’s the difference between an action figure and a collectable?

Join Steve as he opens his toy box and looks at your childhood faves

Stand-up ANDREW O’NEILL: ‘I AM A RICH MAN AND I HAVE MANY SONS’

Doors 7pm, start 7.30pm-9.20pm The Slade Rooms A Mock The Week regular and star of the Live At The Apollo, Gary’s shows are renowned in the business for a near unrivalled volume of high-class gags. You should expect no different from this highly acclaimed show.

Please note Coolio will not be appearing.

16+. £17 plus booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Theatre BARN ULTIMATUM 7.30pm Arena Theatre One animal has uncovered a secret that will rock the whole farm. In this brand new comedy from Tom Allsopp, the peaceful world of the farm is about to come tumbling down around the ears, horns and udders of its inhabitants as the truth about their purpose in life is suddenly revealed. With their world turned upside down, these plucky animals will have to lean on each other. If you like the Bourne movies and farm animals, you’ll love this. £14 full price and £12 concessions via Arena Theatre.

Doors 8.15pm, start 8.30pm9.30pm Lych Gate Tavern An improvised comedy adventure with this ‘master of audience interaction’ (Huffington Post) as he raids the library of his fantastical imagination to create thrillers, romances, ghost stories and more original freewheeling tales that’ve never been told before and never will be again.

14+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up TERMINATOR: HOW WORRIED SHOULD WE BE? WITH LEILA JOHNSTON

Doors 8.15pm, start 8.30pm9.30pm The Giffard Arms Were the Terminator films just a bit of fun, or have they turned out to be eerily prescient? If it was built today, how might the T-800 actually work? Technologist and comedy writer Leila Johnston takes us on a troubling journey through James Cameron’s vision of the future, looking at how some of the promises of the movies have played out in reality.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Doors 7pm, starts 7.30pm-8.30pm The Giffard Arms Award-winning comedian Andrew O’Neill returns with a truly magickal stand-up show that gives every audience member exactly what they want*. Also a song about grizzly bears running a photograph development lab. *Within standard limits of legality, morality and reality.

18+. £10 plus booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Stand-up DIANE SPENCER: SHOW 9

Doors 7.15pm, starts 7.30pm8.30pm The Lych Gate Tavern Part-biography and part excellent comedic writing, this is Diane’s 9th show exploring themes of creation, such as the inappropriate board game her Mother has made around failing airlines, and the joys of not swearing when sewing. Outrageous, refreshingly honest, Diane fills her shows with delirious moments of happiness, revelations and twists all delivered with a charming openness.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up / Poetry DAN WEBBER: GENRE FLUID Doors 8.45pm, starts 9pm-10pm The Giffard Arms The Stand-up poet, reluctant bear and attempted vegan, strips away labels of life, love, the arts and the LGBTQ+ community in this fast-paced, honest and hilarious debut. Under constant pressure from marketing people to decide whether he is a comic or poet, Dan navigates through the confusing world of definitions.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

@FunnyThingsBC

wednesday 30 October

tuesday 29 October Film CELEBRATING LAUREL AND HARDY

Britain as he explores identity in a post-referendum(s) United Kingdom.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Theatre NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL

atmospheric play, Pinter interweaves truth, language and memory to create a world of dark comedy and subtle power games.

Please note that this production contains very strong language.

16+. £14 full price and £12 concessions via Arena Theatre.

Stand-up COMEDY ROUND MINE WITH LARRY DEAN

Doors 1.45pm, start 2pm-4pm East Coseley Big Local East Coseley Big Local (ECBL) Community Cinema hosts a special event for Funny Things festival. Supported by Black Country Touring, the community cinema is in a dementia-friendly environment with drinks and snacks provided and space to have a chat with your neighbour.

For this special edition, ECBL welcome the Grand Sheik of the Birmingham branch of the Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society! John Ullah will be leading a talk about Laurel and Hardy’s connections to the Black Country complete with photographs and a slideshow of their time here. John is also the author of ‘This is More Than I Can Stand’, biography of Birminghamborn Laurel and Hardy co-star Charlie Hall. Audience members are encouraged to bring their memories and stories along with them as well as a bellyful of laughs to also enjoy two classic black and white comedies featuring the greatest double-act of all time; Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

The Finishing Touch (1928) Laurel and Hardy are hired to finish building a house, with the offer of a $500 bonus if they do it quickly.

Can they finish the job on time?

Dirty Work (1933) The boys are chimney sweeps who have been called to the home of a mad professor. Amongst the chaos and destruction they cause, they stumble across the mad professor’s rejuvenation formula.

Free but booking advised via Eventbrite on funny-things.co.uk.

Stand-up STAN WALLACE: TALES FROM NORTHERN BRITAIN

Doors 6.45pm, start 7pm-7.45pm The Giffard Arms Stan Wallace is not comfortably English since the EU Referendum.

He despises both ardent Leavers and pious Remainers. Join him on a journey through Northern

funny-things.co.uk

Theatre NATIVITY Doors 30 minutes before show starts, 2pm & 7pm.

Grand Theatre 3+. From £15 plus £3 booking fee.

Theatre NO MAN’S LAND 2.30pm & 7.30pm Arena Theatre 16+. £14 full price and £12 concessions.

Stand-up SUSAN MURRAY: HOW NOT TO DIE IN A PLANE CRASH

Doors 6.30pm, start 7pm-9.30pm Grand Theatre Feel-good, funny and full of joy, this cracker of a musical was adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much-loved films. Every child in every school has one Christmas wish, to star in a Nativity, and at St Bernadette’s School, they’re attempting to mount a musical version. The only trouble is teacher Mr. Maddens has promised that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show to turn it into a film. Join him, his teaching assistant the crazy Mr. Poppy, hilarious children and a whole lot of sparkle and shine as they struggle to make everyone’s Christmas wish come true.

3+. From £15 plus £3 booking fee via The Grand Theatre.

Head to funny-things.co.uk for more info on the festival Doors 8pm, start 8.15pm-10.30pm Light House Larry Dean headlines this fantastic evening of Comedy Round Mine with Scott Bennett, Alyssa Kyria and MC Carly Smallman (pictured).

18+. £14 full price and £12 concessions plus booking fee via Light House.

Stand-up WE COME IN PEACE

Stand-up FRANK SKINNER: SHOWBIZ

Doors 6.45pm, start 7pm-8pm The Giffard Arms Fasten your seat belts for a darkly hilarious and deliciously bumpy ride. How Not to Die in a Plane Crash is the antidote to boring, life-affirming, feel-good motivational comedy. Come and listen to Susan’s sweet dark soul as she makes you laugh and cry at the same time with her useful death-defying survival tips, all wrapped up in fantastic jokes.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up / Poetry POLISH STAND-UP NIGHT WITH BOHDAN PIASECKI AND RITA SUSZEK

Doors 6pm, start 7.30pm-9.30pm Aldersley Leisure Village An unmissable opportunity to see comic legend Frank Skinner perform brand new stand-up in an intimate space.

14+. Ticket Price £25.00 plus Booking fee. SOLD OUT! Theatre NO MAN’S LAND 7.30pm Arena Theatre A chance meeting between two elderly writers in a North London pub leads to an alcohol-fuelled night of reminiscences and verbal sparring.

In his most beguiling and

Stand-up BLUE GIRAFFE COMEDY CLUB Doors 7pm, start 7.30pm-10pm The Lych Gate Tavern Blue Giraffe Comedy Club are bringing the best comedians on the British comedy circuits to Funny Things for an evening of comedy in tribute to Ian Cognito (21 November 1958 – 11 April 2019).

18+. £7 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Doors 8.15pm, start 8.30pm10.25pm The Giffard Arms This time, they won’t be blowing anything up or showering you in confetti; they just want to talk with you. Two local, ‘recovering scientists’ are being unleashed from the constraints of making learning fluffy for younger ones so you can experience the dark and iffy subjects that these two like to joke about.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Doors 6.30pm, start 7pm-9.30pm Zuri Coffee Join Bohdan and Rita for a quirky mix of spoken word, stand-up and comedy led by two Polish performers.

This event is supported by Centrala.

16+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up ORCHESTRER OR NOT?

Doors 8.15pm, start 8.30pm-9pm The Giffard Arms Watch comedy duo Orchestrer or Not? reimagine their 5-year adult relationship through 5 songs composed and performed by children; presented in their typical frenetic tapedeck nostalgia fashion. All decked out in two rather fetching colours.

There will be dancing, gurning, and the possibility of surprise fruit.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says “Why the long face?”

By Rhian Simpson

a festival celebrating black country humour 26 October - 2 November 2019 funny-things.co.uk / @FunnyThingsBC

ME

GRAM UT PRO

PULL O Pigeon Pals

Susan Murray

Frank Skinner Laurel & Hardy - Films & Theatre

Poetry

The Anthinaerium by Luke Perry

Improv

Simon Brodkin

Finding Our Funny Roots Gary Delaney

Funny Roots Joke Trail Lost Voice Guy

Theatre

Family events

Arena Theatre FINDING YOUR FUNNY ROOTS £5 5pm-6pm show STAND UP FOR MYSTERY HOUR 7.30pm Family Dance Workshop DANCE/ CREATE/ CAPTURE 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm Arena Theatre All ages

Sunday 27 October

Saturday 26 October

Aldersley

Casino36 DAMON CONLAN: JOCULAR PRESTIDIGITATOR 10pm-11pm

Chancellor’s Hall

East Coseley

Gatis

Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk

£5 show

STEVE MCLEAN: ACTION FIGURE ARCHIVE £5 show 7pm-8pm

Casino36 box office 01902 710700 / casino36.co.uk

TERMINATOR: HOW WORRIED SHOULD WE BE? WITH LEILA JOHNSTON 8.30pm-9.30pm

£5 show

ANDREW O’NEILL: ‘I AM A RICH MAN AND I HAVE MANY SONS’ 7.30pm-8.30pm

Chancellor’s Hall

Monday 28 October Tuesday 29 October

Grand Theatre

GIFFARD ARMS

BARN ULTIMATUM 7.30pm

Wednesday 30 October

Giffard Arms

Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk

DAN WEBBER: GENRE FLUID 9pm-10pm £5

Grand Theatre box office

01902 429212 / grandtheatre.co.

show

FRANK SKINNER: SHOWBIZ 7.30pm-9.30pm

NO MAN’S LAND 7.30pm

CELEBRATING LAUREL AND HARDY 2pm-4pm FREE

STAN WALLACE: TALES FROM NORTHERN £5 show BRITAIN 7pm-7.45pm

event

Arena box office

NATIVITY! THE MUS 7pm-9.30pm

£5 WE COME IN PEACE show

8.30pm-10.25pm

01902 321 321 wlv.ac.uk/arenatheatre

NO MAN’S LAND 2.30pm

Film/ Family/ workshop AN AFTERNOON OF JOY AND LAUGHTER 1pm-3.15pm Suitable for all ages and abilities.

NO MAN’S LAND 7.30pm

Aldersley box office 0870 320 7000 wolvescivic.co.uk

Thursday 31 October

COMEDY AT CASINO36 WITH SIMON BRODKIN 9pm-11pm

OWNING YOUR OWN NARRATIVE - SEMINAR WITH SAJEELA KERSHI 3pm-4pm University of FREE Wolverhampton

Saturday 2 November

Friday 1 November

event

SUSAN MURRAY: HOW NOT TO DIE IN A PLANE CRASH £5 7pm-8pm show

NATIVITY! THE MUS 7pm-9.30pm

ORCHESTRER OR NOT? 8.30pm-9pm £5 show

JOHN KEARNS: DOUBLE TAKE AND FADE AWAY 7.30pm-8.30pm £5 show

NATIVITY! THE MUS 2pm-4.30pm

FRIGHTWIG: THE CURTAIN TWITCHER COMETH

9pm-9.50pm

NATIVITY! THE MUS 2pm-4.30pm

NATIVITY! THE MUS 7pm-9.30pm

ORCHESTRA OF CH Doors 9.30pm, star 10pm-11pm Encore Lounge

STARCROSS YOUTH THEATRE PRESENT BOUNCERS 7pm

LOST VOICE GUY: I’M ONLY IN IT FOR THE PARKING 7.30pm-9.30pm

NATIVITY! THE MUS 7pm-9.30pm

STARCROSS YOUTH THEATRE PRESENT BOUNCERS 7pm

JAM WITH JUMPROV 2pm-4pm

NATIVITY! THE MUS 2pm-4.30pm

KNEES BENT, BRA OFF, RA RA RA 10pm-11pm Encore Lounge

NATIVITY! THE MUS 7pm-9.30pm

OFFA’S HEADS COMICAL POETRY 7.15pm-8.30pm JUMPROV AT FUNNY THINGS 9pm-10pm

Ticket info

You can buy tickets at each venue listed on the back of this pullout programme.

All ticket links are available direct at funny-things.co.uk.

All TicketWeb shows are available to buy at ticketweb.uk/ search ‘Funny Things’.

Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Some tickets will be available on the door. Check venue for details. funny-things.co.uk

Visit funny-things.co.uk to book your tickets

Theatre perf Film Poetry Workshop

Stand-up / Im

e

Light House

Lych Gate Tavern

CALAMITY JANE SIGNALONG SINGALONG

2pm-3.35pm

Newhampton Arts

ED SUMMER’S SCHOOL OF BURGLARY £5 show 8.30-9.20pm

Slade Rooms COBO: COMEDY SHUTDOWN 7.45pm-9.30pm

THE VERY BEST OF LAUREL AND HARDY 1pm-3.20pm

RICH STOKES: £5 EXTREME PARENTING show 5pm-6pm

POETS, PRATTLERS, AND PANDEMONIALISTS 3.30-4.30PM

RACHEL SAMBROOKS: £5 STAND BY YOUR NAN show 6.30pm-7.45pm

£5 show

Family Film at Light House SHAUN THE SHEEP 2: FARMAGEDDON (2019) Various times between 26th Oct - 2 Nov Suitable for all ages.

SICAL

BEN VAN DER VELDE: FABLEMAKER 8.30pm-9.30pm DIANE SPENCER: SHOW 9 7.30pm-8.30pm

£5 show

Lych Gate Tavern

COMEDY ROUND MINE WITH LARRY DEAN 8.15pm-10.30pm

Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk

Light House box office 01902 716055 / light-house.co.uk

FRAN GARRITY: FAITH

SICAL

£5 show HOPE & GARRITY

7.30pm-8.20pm

SICAL

Comedy magic

GARY DELANEY: GAGSTER’S PARADISE 7.30pm-9.20pm

SESKA QUACK QUACK BANG

3pm £5 FORBIDDEN IDENTITY show 5-6PM

BRIAN DUFFY: THE MIIME 7pm-7.40pm

£5 show

Family Theatre THE LITTLE REBELS THEATRE PRESENTS: JUDY NEEDS A HOUSE! 11am & 2pm 3-12 yrs

Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk

Slade Rooms box office 0870 320 7000 wolvescivic.co.uk

DESIREE BIRCH: DESIREE’S COMING EARLY 8-10pm

Our PIGEON PALS roaming around, offering a tasty treat in return for a gossip, in the city centre as they hop on and off the metro.

Children’s Workshop MAKE IT POP! - POP ART CREATIVE WORKSHOP 2pm-4pm 8-15 yrs

POLISH STAND-UP NIGHT WITH BOHDAN PIASECKI AND RITA SUSZEK 7pm-9.30pm £5

Theatre HYSTERICAL HISTORIES 6pm-6.45pm 5-10 yrs

LAUREL AND HARDY 7.30pm-9.30pm

£5 show

Zuri Coffee

Stand-up BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY CLUB 12pm-1.15pm Babies under 15 months and their grown-ups.

Children’s workshop COMIC ALTER EGO MASK WORKSHOP 11am-12.30pm

BLUE GIRAFFE COMEDY CLUB 7.30pm-10pm

SICAL

SICAL

LOOK OUT FOR....

WRITING COMEDY FOR TELEVISION 11am-5pm

01902 572 090 / newhamptonarts.co.uk

/ .uk

Zuri Coffee

Newhampton box office

DARREN HARRIOTT: GOOD HEART YUTE 8-10pm

e

W-ton Art Gallery

LAUREL & HARDY causing mischief and mayhem on Saturday 26th October and 2nd November with their slapstick comedy routines.

show

SAJEELA KERSHI FIGHTS LIKE A GIRL 6.30pm-7.30pm

POST GRADUATE STRESS DISORDER 7pm-8.45pm

FREE event

HAOS rts £5 show

SICAL

AS

THE DAFT WITH DARREN LERIGO 7pm-8pm

£5 show

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ATTACKING CASTLES PAUL MCGARRITY 8.30pm-9.30pm £5

RINKOO BARPAGA: MADE IN INDIA BRITAIN

7pm-7.55pm

£5 show

DALISO CHAPONDA: BLAH BLAH BLACKLIST 8pm-10pm

£5 show

show

show

DESI CENTRAL COMEDY NIGHT 7.45pm-10.30pm

Family Stand-up THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS 2pm-4pm 5+.

formance

Funny family events

mprov

#FunnyThings2019

W-ton Art Gallery Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk

BOXER SHORTS FOR BORIS JOHNSON £5 8.45pm-9.30pm

SICAL

SICAL

THE RANDOLPH TEMPEST EXPERIENCE 7.30pm-8.30pm

Sculptor Luke Perry’s ANTHINAERIUM - a mechanical masterpiece that will be displayed in the Mander Centre from 17th October to 29th November and then at Newhampton Arts Centre from 8th December until Christmas.

AND keep an eye out for...

Drag Queens, Dancing Grannies, Orchestra of Chaos, free film screenings, circus skills workshops and lots of fun and games - all on Saturday 26th October!

Check funny-things.co.uk or follow us @FunnyThingsBC for times and info.

@FunnyThingsBC

Join us on Saturday 26 October for free comEdy fun Look out for Funny Things popping up all around Wolverhampton City Centre on Saturday 26th October. Laurel and Hardy, Poetic Pigeons, Drag Queens & Kings, Dancing Grannies, Orchestra of Chaos, films, circus skills workshops, fun and games as well as walkabout and popup performances from quirky characters.

LAUREL AND HARDY are back, 65 years after performing at the Wolverhampton Hippodrome (which was demolished 2 years later). Look out for these stars of the silver screen getting into all kinds of muddles around Wolverhampton city centre.

#PIGEONPALS am comin’ to a town near yow! Peggy and Penny are two chatty birds, glam pigeons, as you’ve never seen before. Hopping on and off the metro and pottering about the town, local bird Peg-leg Peggy and her rather ditzy birdbrain Southerner pal, Penny, will be dishing out local food and offering tasters of their lunch to you! This is pigeons giving back, bab! Oh, and if you’re up for a bit of line dancing, be sure to catch them pulling in the crowds for a spot of impromptu feathered frolicking in the street.

THE DANCING GRANNIES are a gang of Black Country elderly ladies who like to get down and boogie wherever they please.

When they are not at the bingo or having half a stout in the local pub, you’ll find them dancing between the stalls at the market, bopping down Dudley St and throwing shapes in the shopping centres.

The house band of Funny Things 2017, ORCHESTRA OF CHAOS, are back for even more Black Country laughs this year. Look out for Barry Bling and Mr. Velvet in the market and Dudley Street playing their greatest hits on the YamYamha keyboard and tiny drum kit.

FUNNY FILMS IN QUEEN SQUARE The air may be getting chilly but nothing will keep you warmer than a good laugh and a jolly atmosphere. So fish out your hoodies and blankets and join us for an outdoor screening of some all-time favourite films. The day will consist of a range of family friendly short films earlier in the day, concluding with an evening screening of the original Ghostbusters at 6pm.

Supported by Flatpack and Wolverhampton BID.

CIRCUS WORKSHOP Learn to juggle, spin plates, hula hoop and much more with Spinsonic Circus skills. It’s as much fun for adults as it is for children, so bring the whole family along for circus fun between 12pm and 3pm in the Mander Centre. This is a free drop-in workshop, so come along any time during the afternoon.

Learn circus skills in the Mander Centre 12pm-3pm ALL AGES

See the full schedule of performances, times and venues at funny-things.co.uk.

CARICATURES Pen Jones will be in the Mander Centre between 11am and 3pm. Come along and get your caricature drawn. Please note there will be a charge for caricatures.

funny-things.co.uk

CASINO 36 56-58 Temple Street, City Centre, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AQ 01902 710700 / casino36.co.uk Access information: Lifts and accessible toilets available.

CHANCELLORS HALL, UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON Wulfruna Building, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SE (entrance on the corner of Wulfruna Street opposite Civic carpark entrance) Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk Access information: Ramp entrance opposite the roundabout on Wulfruna Street.

Lift to first floor can be accessed on the right hand side of the double doors at the entrance. Accessible toilet available.

EAST COSELEY BIG LOCAL Event address: Jack Newell Court, Jevon Street, Coseley, Bilston, WV14 9LW eastcoseleybiglocal.net Access information: All ground level/flat access and accessible toilets available.

Please note that this is a dementia-friendly environment GATIS COMMUNITY SPACE Gatis St, Wolverhampton, WV6 0ET 01902 651155 / gatiscommunityspace.co.uk Access information: Ground level/flat access and accessible toilets available.

See the full schedule of performances, times and venues at funny-things.co.uk.

FREE film screenings in Queen Square for all the family - bring a blanket!

ALDERSLEY LEISURE VILLAGE Aldersley Rd, Wolverhampton, WV6 9NW 0870 320 7000 (Wolves Civic) / wolvescivic.co.uk ARENA THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SE 01902 321 321 / wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre Access information: Lifts throughout the building to Stage level and Tilstone studio, flat access and hearing loops available.

FANTABULOSA 12PM & 3PM (SHOW LASTS 1 HOUR) Step into the unforgettable magic of FANTABULOSA! A fantastical pop-up world of imagination, storytelling and glitter where boundaries are forgotten and everyone and anyone can be whoever they want to be.

Join some of the UK’s leading drag artists for a queer-positive participatory family drag show encompassing interactive storytelling, lipsync, performance, dress-up, games and original songs.

Fantabulosa! is open to anyone, young and old, who wants to experience the joys and freedom of self-expression. See this Fabulous show in the Wulfrun Shopping Centre, opposite the Cleveland St entrance. There will also be glitter and games between the main performances.

Join the Dancing Grannies for a boogie at the markets and on Dudley Street

Funny Things Venues

THE GIFFARD ARMS 64, Victoria Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3NX 01902 426664 / thegiffardarms.co.uk Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk Access information: Access to performance venue is up a flight of stairs.

THE GRAND THEATRE Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DE 01902 429212 / grandtheatre.co.uk Access information: Flat access and lifts are available at this venue. Assisted hearing equipment available.

LIGHT HOUSE The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1HT 01902 716055 / light-house.co.uk Access information: Level entrance to main cinema, lift access to studio cinema, and accessible toilet available on both levels. Hearing loops available at this venue.

THE LYCH GATE TAVERN 44 Queen Square, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 1TX 01902 399516 / lychgatetavern.co.uk Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk Access information: Lift to performance venue and accessible toilet available.

NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4AN 01902 572 090 / newhamptonarts.co.uk Access information: Flat access and lifts available to all upper floors. Accessible toilets and hearing loops available.

THE SLADE ROOMS Broad Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HPE 0870 320 7000 / wolvescivic.co.uk Access information: Flat ground level access, accessible toilets. Hearing loops are available.

WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY Lichfield St, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU 01902 552055 / wolverhamptonart.org.uk Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk Access information: Wheelchair accessible, lifts and accessible toilets.

ZURI COFFEE Lichfield St, Wolverhampton WV1 1DG 01902424629 / facebook.com/zuricoffee Ticketing information on funny-things.co.uk Access information: Ground level entrance.

Full listings and ticket booking links are available at funny-things.co.uk.

Please note tickets may be subject to a booking fee. Tickets will be available on the door for some events, but pre-booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

Please contact the relevant venue if you have any questions about an event.

Thursday 31 October Theatre NATIVITY Doors 30 minutes before show starts, 2pm & 7pm.

Grand Theatre 3+. From £15 plus £3 booking fee Talk OWNING YOUR OWN NARRATIVE SEMINAR WITH SAJEELA KERSHI

Post Graduate Stress Disorder is a series of Stand-up comedy nights featuring up-and-coming comedians whilst raising money for mental health charities.

Every show features a different line-up of comedians, with Sam Arrowsmith, the founder and organiser of the project, compering each show.

14+. Free but donations are welcome on the night.

some places that look like people share hot water bottles with their landlords. The show implores you to learn lessons from your ceiling and realise Fred Astaire actually knew very well what he was doing.

18+. £12 plus booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Stand-up SAJEELA KERSHI - FIGHTS LIKE A GIRL Doors 6.15pm, starts 6.30pm7.30pm Wolverhampton Art Gallery Fights Like a Girl! is a reflection of everything Sajeela Kershi has fought for and against. The show was born at the Women’s March in London, chanting against Trump, travel bans and global injustices, with Sajeela fighting to keep her prime position on the frontline - even if that meant barging Harriet Harman out of the way, and not allowing a man to push in at the front, who, it turns out is Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

Sajeela looks at her own upbringing, telling true stories of fitting in, fighting bullies, fighting for a life on her terms.

She looks at universal misogyny in culture, including a true story of how she and a group of women in her family were kept hostage but managed to fight off their extremist captors - a tale of unexpected hilarity!

14 + (parental guidance). £12 and £10 concessions plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up POST GRADUATE STRESS DISORDER Doors 6.30pm, starts 7pm-8.45pm Zuri Coffee

#FunnyThings2019

Newhampton Arts Centre Tom McGrath’s script about the life of Laurel and Hardy provides not just an insight into their slapstick but also tells the story of this seemingly mismatched pairing of comedians – who became not only inseparable in the eyes of the public, but also emotionally dependent on each other in real life. Speaking from the “afterlife”, from which they have both returned, Stan and Ollie tell the story of their lives, and other people who they knew and worked with. Performers Adam Halcro and Jacob Harvey from Central Youth Theatre have been commissioned by Funny Things 2019 to hone their skills as young comedy performers and bring to the festival this show about the iconic comedy duo.

8+. £8 adults, £6 concessions plus booking fee via Newhampton Arts Centre.

Stand-up JOHN KEARNS: DOUBLE TAKE AND FADE AWAY

Doors 7pm, starts 7.30pm-8.30pm The Giffard Arms Based on the theory that the most interesting places on maps are the empty spaces, John has booked a tour, stopping by at

Check out the line-up and links to all tickets at

funny-things.co.uk

Stand-up FRAN GARRITY: FAITH HOPE & GARRITY

Theatre LAUREL AND HARDY Doors 7.15pm, starts 7.30pm9.30pm

Doors 2.45pm, starts 3pm-4pm University of Wolverhampton Award-winning comedian and writer Sajeela Kershi shares personal anecdotes of the obstacles faced on her fascinating journey, from her arrival as an immigrant to overcoming the trials and tribulations facing an intersectional woman. With the rise of the far right, the normalisation of casual abuse and the demonisation of the ‘other’, how can young people of colour ride the storm to succeed?

The performance will conclude with a Q&A session aimed at opening up a discussion on hopes fears and obstacles facing new graduates and how best to overcome them.

Free. Sign up via Eventbrite link on funny-things.co.uk.

Stand-up COMEDY AT CASINO36 WITH SIMON BRODKIN

Doors 7.15pm, starts 7.30pm8.20pm Lych Gate Tavern Throughout his short life, Fran Garrity has been in a lot of trouble. Add some tragedy, hardship, and disorder with a lot of humility and dignity. It packs an emotional punch, it’s thoughtprovoking and takes you where you don’t expect it. This is a story of Faith, Hope & Garrity.

14+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Stand-up DESIREE BIRCH: DESIREE’S COMING EARLY

Doors 7pm, starts 8pm-10pm The Slade Rooms Comedian and storyteller Desiree Burch was born late, bloomed late, and generally has difficulty with the present moment. At a moment in history where decades of societal progress have swung right back around to authoritarianism and regression, Desiree embarks on a spiritual journey of mythically ridiculous proportions into the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, to figure out how she, and maybe all of us, have gotten here - and maybe, possibly, hopefully, how we fix the suckiness.

16+ (under 18’s accompanied by an adult). £12 plus booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Doors 8.45pm, starts 9pm-11pm Casino36 Join Casino36 for a fantastic night of comedy with headliner Simon Brodkin, supported by Jack Campbell and Phileo Huff with MC Darius Davies.

Named “the world’s most famous blagger” by The Daily Telegraph, untameable prankster and acclaimed character comedian Simon Brodkin has hit global headlines multiple times for his high-profile stunts. Most famously he handed Theresa May a P45 form during her keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference and showered disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter with hundreds of dollar bills in bribe payments “for the North Korea 2026 World Cup bid”.

18+. £14.50 (includes 1st drink) book via Eventbrite link on funnythings.co.uk Theatre FRIGHTWIG: THE CURTAIN TWITCHER COMETH Doors 8.45pm, starts 9pm-9.50pm The Giffard Arms

Fright Wig invites you to peer beyond the twitching curtains of moonlit suburbia for a slice of life carved with a rusty machete. Go door-to-door in a nightmare neighbourhood and meet the menagerie of grotesque ghouls waiting to spill their guts: Murderers, monsters, bloodthirsty bigots and preening perverts - these are the resident evils of Fright Wig’s broken Britain, and they’re dying to meet you.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Music / Stand up ORCHESTRA OF CHAOS

Doors 9.30pm, starts 10pm-11pm Encore Lounge, Grand Theatre Back by popular demand, the house band of Funny Things 2017, Orchestra of Chaos, take you through their repertoire of hit covers in their own inimitable style. Join Barry Bling and Mr. Velvet for a sing-a-long and maybe even a bit of a boogie in this show created exclusively for Funny Things 2019.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via The Grand Theatre.

Got Kids?

Take them to one of our Funny Kids & FamilY events.

Fun for all the family during the autumn half term! @FunnyThingsBC

Saturday 2 november

Friday 1 november THEATRE NATIVITY Doors 30 minutes before show starts, 7pm Grand Theatre 3+. From £18 plus £3 booking fee Stand-up RINKOO BARPAGA: MADE IN INDIA BRITAIN - PERFORMED IN BSL WITH VOICE-OVER IN SPOKEN ENGLISH

Doors 6.45pm, Starts 7pm-7.55pm Lych Gate Tavern Since leaving home in Birmingham, Rinkoo Barpaga has moved around England a lot, determined to find somewhere to settle. Along the way, he has encountered both racism and discrimination, and as a result he has been constantly asking himself the question, “where do I belong?” British born, Rinkoo discovered at the age of three that not only was he required to tick the box, ‘ethnic minority,’ but also the box, ‘Deaf.’

Made In India Britain is an insight into one man’s life as he tries to fathom out exactly who he is and where he belongs, as he delves deep into past experiences to try and find clues which will ultimately help him realise his true self and a place he can finally call home.

18+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Theatre STARCROSS YOUTH THEATRE PRESENT BOUNCERS BY JOHN GODBER 7pm Arena Theatre It’s Friday night, it’s disco night time for Bouncers to come alive.

In this hilarious comedy Lucky Eric, Judd, Les and Ralph are the original men in black as they tell the tale of one night in a disco in the 80’s in this outrageous parody of Saturday Night Fever. All the gang are out on the town, the boys, the girls, the cheesy DJ, the late night kebab man and the taxi home, all under the watchful eyes of the Bouncers.

11+. £10 via Arena Theatre.

Stand-up THE DAFT WITH DARREN LERIGO Doors 6.45pm, Starts 7pm-8pm Light House If you like silly, joyous comedy then join The Daft for an hour of funny jokes, ridiculous tales and kooky Stand-up comedy.

Having been touring the country in 2019 comics for The Daft at Funny Things Festival will include Klaus White (runner-up Bath New Act Festival 2018) & Leicester

funny-things.co.uk

Mercury Comedian of the Year Finalist Jen Ives. All MC’d by Darren Lerigo.

12+. £5 plus bf via Light House.

Stand-up THE RANDOLPH TEMPEST EXPERIENCE Doors 7.15pm, Starts 7.30pm8.30pm Newhampton Arts Centre Join the world’s greatest actor (that’s what he thinks) Randolph Tempest, for an hour long comedy show. A unique showcase of this legendary actor’s talents. A celebration of his triumphs and failures. Become part of the show and join Randolph in his quest for finding the next great actor for his new project.

15+. £5 plus bf via Newhampton Arts Centre.

Stand-up LOST VOICE GUY: I’M ONLY IN IT FOR THE PARKING

Doors 6.45pm (last entry 7.15pm), start 7.30pm-9.30pm Chancellor’s Hall, University of Wolverhampton Due to popular demand following a sell-out tour in spring 2019, Lee Ridley (aka Lost Voice Guy) - the first comedian ever to win Britain’s Got Talent – is back on the road and coming to a disabled parking space near you.

Lee is the first standup comedian to use a communication aid. His cuttingedge material combines the political and personal with razor-sharp observations about disability and daily life. He may not be able to talk but he definitely has something to say - and his comedy will leave you speechless.

14+. £16/14 tickets plus booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Stand-up DALISO CHAPONDA: BLAH BLAH BLACKLIST

Doors 7.30pm Last Entry 7.50pm, start 8pm-10pm The Slade Rooms Britain’s Got Talent finalist and star of BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed Citizen of Nowhere, Daliso presents a hilarious and daring new show. In his new show Daliso looks at disgraced, blacklisted celebrities and historical figures we’re ashamed we once admired.

There’s also the small matter of family member arrests, exploding buildings in his home country and the enterprising Malawian who tried to blackmail him.

16+ (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult). £15 plus booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Stand-up A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ATTACKING CASTLES - PAUL MCGARRITY Doors 8.15pm (last entry 7.50pm), start 8.30pm-9.30pm Light House From the age of sieges and chivalry comes a show about medieval love, adrenaline junkies and an insane quest for glory. Join comedian and archaeologist Paul Duncan McGarrity as he explains how modern life could be so much better if we all took a moment and learnt how to attack a castle.

16+. £5 plus bf via Light House.

Stand-up BOXER SHORTS FOR BORIS JOHNSON Doors 8.30pm, start 8.45pm9.30pm Lych Gate Tavern Albert Smith invites you to help him select a pair of boxer shorts for Boris Johnson. Join Albert to talk about pants and uncover the answers to questions you might not have asked before: How do men shop and buy underwear?

Have we become enslaved by fashion houses and advertising, coaxing us into buying underwear that loses our individuality?

Y-fronts or boxers? What would Boris wear?

16+. £5 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Theatre KNEES BENT, BRAS OFF, RA RA RA

Street Performance STEAMPUNK SATURDAY VENTURE MEETS SWYRON

12pm-4pm Queen Square Nutkhut and Imagineer come together in Wolverhampton for a special afternoon of steampunk delights with Venture; a cycle powered carousel with a story to tell and Swyron; a revolutionary from the future inspired by the Mahabharata.

Suitable for all ages. FREE. Theatre NATIVITY Doors 30 minutes before show starts, 2pm & 7pm Grand Theatre 3+. From £18 plus £3 booking fee Workshop JAM WITH JUMPROV

Stand-up DESI CENTRAL COMEDY NIGHT

Doors 7pm (last entry 7.30pm), starts 7.45pm-10.30pm The Slade Rooms After previous sell-out shows around the UK, Desi Central returns to Wolverhampton with Aatif, Kiran Morjaria, Sukh Ojla and Tez Ilyas for a night of jokes and laughter.

16+ (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult).

Earlybird Tickets: £15 Standard Tickets: £17.50 plus booking fee via Wolves Civic.

Doors 1.30pm, start 2pm-4pm Chancellor’s Hall, University of Wolverhampton Jam with Jumprov where you will learn to harness your inner awesomeness with the basics of improvisation comedy in a fun and safe environment.

16+. £8 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Theatre STARCROSS YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS BOUNCERS BY JOHN GODBER Doors 6.30pm, starts 7pm Arena Theatre 11+. £10 plus booking fee.

Poetry OFFA’S HEADS - COMICAL POETRY

Doors 9.30pm, start 10pm-11pm Encore Lounge, Grand Theatre You are invited to Ruth’s family party. Welcome. Like all family parties there are weird traditions, songs, games and drama.

At the party you will hear family secrets, sing along to songs and learn new traditions.

14+. £5 plus booking fee via The Grand Theatre.

Doors 7pm, starts 7.15pm-8.30pm Chancellor’s Hall, University of Wolverhampton An evening of comical poetry with Offa’s Press poets David Bingham, Marion Cockin, Nick Pearson, Emma Purshouse (pictured), Jane Seabourne and John Woodall.

16+. £8 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Improv sketch comedy JUMPROV AT FUNNY THINGS Doors 8.45pm, starts 9pm-10pm Chancellor’s Hall, University of Wolverhampton Join Jumprov for a night of live sketch comedy completely made up on the spot using your suggestions.

16+ Parental Advisory: may contain explicit content. £8 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Why didn’t the skeleton go to the party?

Because he had no body to go with.

By Freya Asprey

Wolverhampton Collection WolverhamptonRailway Railway Collection Queen’s Building, ‘Grand Station’ , HighLevel Levelrailway railway station Wishbone Bridge Queen’s Building, ‘Grand Station’ , High station(1967), (1967), Wishbone Bridge

Wolverhampton Railway Collection Queen’s Building, ‘Grand Station’, High Level railway station (1967), Wishbone Bridge

Wolverhampton Railway Collection Queen’s Building, ‘Grand Station’, High Level railway station (1967), Wishbone Bridge

“The opportunity to create a legacy for my business through supporting “The opportunity to create a legacy for my business through supporting The Millionaires Club – Wolverhampton Wonders Collection, compelled me to become a private sponsor to help save Light House,Collection, The Millionaires Club – Wolverhampton Wonders the cultural hub at the heart of Wolverhampton.” - Daniel Cartwright compelled me to become a private Artwork bysponsor J Valentino to help save Light House, the cultural hub at the heart of Wolverhampton.”

Cartwright “The opportunity to create a legacy for my business- Daniel through supporting

by J Valentino The Millionaires ClubArtwork – Wolverhampton Wonders Collection, compelled me to become a private sponsor to help save Light House, the cultural hub at the heart of Wolverhampton.” - Daniel Cartwright

J been Valentino #EnProUK For the past 18 months Wulfrun ConsultingArtwork and EnPro by have working with Light House on their campaign to help save the creative hub.

“We decided to back The Millionaires Club - a project produced by artist J. Valentino that hopes to raise £1million buy selling art to raise muchneeded funds for Light House - and invested in the ‘Wolverhampton “The opportunity to create aWonders legacy for myCollection’. business through supporting The Millionaires Club – Wolverhampton Wonders Collection, The opportunity to create a legacy for my business through supporting The Millionaires Club, compelled me to become a private sponsor to compelled me to become a private sponsor to help save Light House, help save Light House, a cultural icon in the heart of Daniel Cartwright, Director, theWolverhampton.” cultural hub at the heart of Wolverhampton.”

- Daniel Cartwright Wulfrun Consulting.

Artwork by J Valentino

You can help too by backing the campaign with a pledge from just £1, or investing in a piece of fine art to own, to keep this much-loved venue #EnProUK in the city. See tmclubwolverhampton.com for more information.

#EnProUK

#EnProUK

Funny Kids & Families saturday 26 October

sunday 27 October

monday 28 October

tuesday 29 October

FREE

Family Film SHAUN THE SHEEP 2: FARMAGEDDON (2019) Various times between 26th October - 2 November Light House Strange lights over the quiet town of Mossingham herald the arrival of a mystery visitor from far across the galaxy. When the intergalactic visitor LU-LA crash-lands near Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun soon sees an opportunity for alien-powered fun and adventure and sets off on a mission to shepherd LU-LA home.

Suitable for all ages. Cost £8.90 for adults Concs: £7.40 (OAP/Disabled/Unemployed) Under 25s and students: £4.50 via Light House.

event Family Street Theatre FANTABULOSA - BSL INTEGRATED PERFORMANCE 12pm & 3pm Wulfrun Shopping Centre A fantastical pop-up world of imagination, storytelling and glitter where boundaries are forgotten and everyone and anyone can be whoever they want to be. Join some of the UK’s leading drag artists for a queer-positive participatory family drag show encompassing interactive storytelling, lipsync, performance, dress-up, games and original songs. Fantabulosa! is open to anyone, young and old, who wants to experience the joys and freedom of selfexpression.

3-8 yrs (but fabulous for adults too). Free.

FREE event

Family Dance Workshop DANCE/ CREATE/ CAPTURE 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.00pm Arena Theatre Create your own Polaroid photograph through a funfilled workshop that will invite you to dance, create and then capture your own ideas through movement. You will be given your own Polaroid keepsake to take away at the end of the workshop. Images created will also be printed to form part of a gallery for the festival. Each workshop will last for one hour.

All ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per adult, £3 per child, £12 for family of two adults and up to 3 children via Arena Theatre.

FREE event

Family Street Theatre FUNNY THINGS IN THE CITY CENTRE 11am - 4pm City Centre Look out for Funny Things popping up all around Wolverhampton City Centre on the first day of the festival.

Laurel and Hardy, Poetic Pigeons, Drag Queens, Dancing Grannies, Orchestra of Chaos, circus skills workshops, fun and games.

See the full schedule of performances at funny-things. co.uk Suitable for all ages. Free.

funny-things.co.uk

Family workshop SPINSONIC CIRCUS WORKSHOP 12pm-3pm (drop-in anytime) Mander Shopping Centre Spinsonic Circus is coming to the Mander Centre where you can learn to juggle, spin plates, hula hoop and much more with expert instructors. Circus skills are as much fun for adults as they are for children, so bring the whole family along for circus fun!

Suitable for all ages. Free.

FREE event

Family Film Comedy films in the Square 12-8pm Queen Square The air may be getting chilly but nothing will keep you warmer than a good laugh and a jolly atmosphere. So fish out your hoodies and blankets and join us for an outdoor screening of some all-time favourite films.

The day will consist of a range of family-friendly short films earlier in the day, concluding with an evening screening of the original Ghostbusters at 6pm.

See the full schedule of films at funny-things.co.uk .Supported

by Flatpack and Wolverhampton BID. Suitable for all ages. Free.

Family Theatre THE LITTLE REBELS THEATRE PRESENTS: JUDY NEEDS A HOUSE! 11am & 2pm Newhampton Arts Centre This fun and interactive Puppet show is inspired by the Punch and Judy classic play, but this time it’s only Judy and the baby on stage. It’s Baby’s first birthday and Judy is making a party for him, where you are invited to participate.

Unfortunately, through a series of events Judy and the baby will find themselves homeless Judy decides to ask the children in the audience for help.

The Little Rebels Theatre is a project by Italian artist Anna Babini using modern puppetry and creative workshops to gently educate children about contemporary social challenges in order to create a fairer society and a better world.

This event is supported by Black Country Touring.

3-12 yrs (must be accompanied by an adult). £6.00 adult £4.00 child, family ticket of 4 £18.00 plus booking fee via Newhampton Arts Centre.

Stand-up/ Magic/ Family SESKA: QUACK QUACK BANG Doors 2.45pm, start 3pm-3.45pm Wolverhampton Art Gallery Turbo-charged Seska throws buckets of happiness into the air in this brilliantly inventive magical show for all ages.

Entertaining crowds from Mumbai to Trinidad, Seska is also a firm favourite at Camp Bestival.

2-11 yrs (family show). £6.00 adult £4.00 child, family ticket of 4 £18.00 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

How d bui id the ld E Iglo his ho skimo o’d i t tog use?

By L ethe orna r.

Tay lor

Stand-up BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY CLUB Doors 11.45am, start 12pm1.15pm Newhampton Arts Centre Bring Your Own Baby Comedy is the UK’s premier baby friendly comedy club. Each show features the funniest comedy stars from the circuit and TV and is all about you... the parents.

But don’t worry – they also take great care of our younger guests.

Providing soft flooring, toys, buggy parking and baby changing so that your baby is happy and you can relax, have a drink and be entertained. If you need to whip out a bum (the babies please) a boob or a bottle please feel free… the comics won’t mind being heckled by the younger guests!* The line-up for the first Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Club in Wolverhampton includes Scott Bennett, Alyssa Kyria and MC Carly Smallman.

The whole show will last approx 75 minutes with a 15-minute interval. * Please note: our brilliant comics will be performing their usual adult material, which is why we have a 15 month age limit for our little laughers.

Babies under 15 months and their grown-ups. £8 adults accompanying babies go FREE plus booking fee via Newhampton Arts Centre.

Workshop MAKE IT POP! - POP ART CREATIVE WORKSHOP Doors 1.45am, start 2pm-3.30pm Wolverhampton Art Gallery Discover the unique collection of Pop art at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and create your own Pop art inspired piece with artists from Centrala.

8-15 yrs. £6.00 adult £4.00 child, family ticket of 4 £18.00 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Half Term Fun at Funny Things Friday 1 november

wednesday 30 October

Children’s workshop COMIC ALTER EGO MASK WORKSHOP Doors 10.45am, start 11am12.30pm Newhampton Arts Centre Create your very own fun, mad and expressive comic character in mask form. This could represent you fully or provide an opportunity to transform yourself into something completely wacky and new.

Inspired by Chris Sievey and his beautifully surreal and fun masked alter ego Frank Sidebottom. It will be a drop-in activity with lots of interesting creative materials on offer so there can be some really unique and imaginative masks for people to take away.

7+. £5 plus booking fee via Newhampton Arts Centre.

Film/ Family/ workshop AN AFTERNOON OF JOY AND LAUGHTER AT GATIS Doors 12.45pm, start 1pm3.15pm Gatis Community Space A lovely afternoon of joy and belly laughs for everyone, come along to Gatis Community Cinema. Supported by Black Country Touring, grab the popcorn, sit back and enjoy the 2015 Disney Pixar animated feature film ‘Inside Out’ (U) on the big screen, followed by a laughter yoga session.

Inside Out: 11-year-old Riley is moved from her Midwest life to San Francisco and in the Headquarters of the control centre in Riley’s mind, the emotions that guide her through everyday life – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness – struggle to adjust. Joy tries to keep things positive as they conflict on how best to navigate Riley’s new life.

Laughter Yoga Taster: Laughter yoga is based on the belief that your body and mind benefits in the same way from pretend laughter as it does from spontaneous. Come along and try a session led by Samantha Leedham.

Suitable for all ages and abilities. £3.50 via Eventbrite link on funny-things.co.uk.

#FunnyThings2019

Theatre HYSTERICAL HISTORIES Doors 5.45pm, start 6pm-6.45pm Newhampton Arts Centre Join historical tour guide, Katie Pritchard, on this high-octane tour of history. Katie will bring history to life LIVE before your very eyes with songs about how much King Henry VIII loves his wives and Joan of Arcs obsession with cheese. Armed with many incredible costumes, that often look nothing like the historical figure they’re representing, this show packs a punch, with laughs for kids and adults alike.

5-10 yrs. £6.00 adult £4.00 child, family ticket of 4 £18.00 plus booking fee via Newhampton Arts Centre.

Family workshop STOP-MOTION ANIMATION WORKSHOP 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm Workshops last for one hour Light House Feeling inspired after watching the new Shaun The Sheep movie? Discover how animation is created, have a go at creating your own animation character and bringing it to life with professional stop-motion animator Tim Allen. Tim has a seriously impressive résumé, having worked on various amazing films such as Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs and Fantastic Mr. Fox as well as Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, and he knows the likes of Postman Pat and Shaun the Sheep personally!

6+. £6.00 adult £4.00 child, family ticket of 4 £18.00 plus booking fee via Light House.

What type of music does cheese listen to?

R’n’Brie

By Laura Page

saturday 2 november

Workshop LIL’ JAMS WITH JUMPROV Doors 10.30am, start 11am12.30pm Chancellor’s Hall, University of Wolverhampton Join Jumprov for this fun and entertaining introduction to improv for the lil’ budding performers out there (and their grown-ups).

Adults are encouraged to stay and play with their children.

8-12yrs. £6.00 adult £4.00 child, family ticket of 4 £18.00 plus booking fee via Ticketweb.

Street Performance FREE event STEAMPUNK SATURDAY VENTURE MEETS SWYRON 12pm-4pm Queen Square Nutkhut and Imagineer come together in Wolverhampton for a special afternoon of steampunk delights.

Suitable for all ages. FREE.

Family Stand-up THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS Doors 1.45pm, start 2pm-4pm Light House An exciting comedy club where the laughs are loud and shared across all ages. This gig brings together some of the best acts on the circuit performing familyfriendly jokes and also gives children the chance to get on stage and tell their own jokes.

Featuring ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ star, Barbara Nice and comedy friends this ‘Funny Things’ special also offers an after the show Comedy Question Time.

The child-led discussion about comedy asks; What is laughter?

What makes something funny?

How do you write a joke? What happens when a joke doesn’t work? How do you become a comedian? and more ...

5+. £6.00 adult £4.00 child, family ticket of 4 £18.00 plus booking fee via Light House.

The Funny Things Joke Trail with Wolverhampton BID

Over the last year our Funny Things Joke Box has been touring venues, businesses, offices and coffee shops of the Black Country.

With your help we’ve collected a LOT of gags.

From the downright silly, to the well-known, and the original to the (sometimes) naughty - we’ve picked our favourites and hidden them around venues in the city centre with the help of our friends at Wolverhampton BID. And now it is time for you to find them. Pick up a Joke Trail leaflet in the city centre or download one from funny-things.co.uk and see how many you can find.

SEND US YOUR JOKE! We’d LOVE to hear your favourite joke.

Why not tweet us @FunnyThingsBC and our favourite will win tickets for a Funny Things event. @FunnyThingsBC

IMAGE COURTESY OF MATALAN

OPEN 24 / 7 | LIVE GAMING | £20,000 JACKPOT SLOTS ON-SITE BOOKIES | SPORTS BAR & GRILL

FREE INSTANT MEMBERSHIP & FREE PARKING LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR

JOIN IN ALL THE FUN AT MANDER CENTRE

3 GIANT HD SCREENS | 10 LARGE HD TV’S OPEN 24/7 GRILL MENU

STAY UP TO DATE ON EVENTS AND SPOOKY GOINGS ON AT MANDERCENTRE.CO.UK

CASINO36.CO.UK

TEMPLE STREET | WOLVERHAMPTON | WV2 4AQ | 01902 710 700 | OVER 18’s ONLY | PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY

@MANDERCENTRE