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Where
Nortons Digbeth 43-45 Meriden Street, Birmingham
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A brand-new Irish comedy night, curated and hosted by acclaimed stand up Jo Enright, is to launch at independent bar and venue Nortons Digbeth in Birmingham’s Irish Quarter.
Premiering on Wednesday 17 September, Comedy and the Craic will present performances from three of the best comedians of Irish heritage, John Ryan, Eleanor Tiernan, and Kevin Gildea, as well as Jo Enright, as part of Halfway Fest.
The annual celebration of Irish culture in Birmingham marks the midway point to St Patrick’s Day, underlining the importance of the Irish community in the UK’s Second City.
Part of the monthly comedy offering, which will see the best stand-ups from the Irish community and diaspora perform to live audiences, will also be recorded for a new podcast series around comedy and storytelling entitled 'The Lock In' produced by the venue.
Jo Enright said: “I’m genuinely excited to be hosting and curating this night. Ireland is recognised the world over for its humour and storytellers, and this is an opportunity to welcome the very best Irish comics to Brum, a place where their material will truly resonate.
“There is nothing better than being ‘in the room’ at events like this, where the atmosphere can be life-giving and glorious. In these pressing times, comedy is a great comfort and a highly effective stress release.
“We will also be recording a podcast where I will interview the headline act just as they finish their set. I know how that feels, so know the questions I’d like to ask and of course we’d love questions from the audience. This night will be a great addition to the city.”
Star of Netflix’s The Job Lot, Phoenix Nights and Man Like Mobeen, Jo Enright is an award-winning stand-up and comedy actress who has worked for every major TV channel for over two decades.
The inaugural Comedy and the Craic line up features John Ryan, Eleanor Tiernan, and Kevin Gildea.
Multi award-winning comedian and natural-born storyteller, John Ryan was built in London from parts imported from Longford. He is a natural-born storyteller, carrying the spirit of the Irish seanchaí into the 21st century. His stand-up is equal parts nostalgic and provocative, reminiscing about the past while fearlessly poking at the present.
Comedian and writer Eleanor Tiernan has featured on Stand Up For Live Comedy (BBC3), Comedy Central’s The Alternative Comedy Experience and has supported acts including Iliza Shlesinger, Stewart Lee, Tig Notaro, Ardal O’Hanlon, Jason Manford, Jason Byrne and Reginald D. Hunter.
An award winning playwright, short story writer (RTE and The Winter Papers), actor and book reviewer (Irish Times), Kevin Gildea has gigged across Britain and Ireland and the rest of the known world – from Singapore to Sligo - headlining shows in Johannesburg and Cape Town and regularly playing major comedy festivals in Ireland.
This year’s Halfway Fest programme, running from Wednesday 17 September to Saturday 20 September, features some of the best Irish and Scottish live musicians around, including All Folk’d Up, Calum MacPhail, Ceol, Clada, and One for the Road across Friday and Saturday.
Also confirmed for the Halfway Fest 2025 programme is an evening with popular social historian Professor Carl Chinn on Thursday 18 September, exploring the Irish community’s links to the real Peaky Blinders, Birmingham's most notorious gang - in the very neighbourhood they were based in for years.
Peter Connolly, owner of Nortons Digbeth, said: “Exploring Irish culture is key to Nortons and Halfway Fest programming. Adding a comedy element to the mix has been an ambition since day one.
“Jo was our first port of call to partner with to deliver the new comedy offering at Nortons, debuting at Halfway.
“We are delighted to have Jo on board to deliver a stellar comedy offering via Comedy and the Craic - our commitment to delivering memorable nights out for not just the Irish in Birmingham, but everyone who makes up our great city.
“We look forward to fans joining us every month for laughter and storytelling, as we build up to a craic-ing St Patrick’s Festival comedy line-up
Tickets to Halfway Festival 2025 at Nortons Digbeth in Birmingham, priced from £10 plus booking fee onwards, are available via Skiddle.