Eddie Izzard Headlines First Southsea Comedy Festival

31 July 2014, 06:20 | Updated: 31 July 2014, 06:22

Eddie Izzard will headline the first ever Southsea Comedy Festival later.

The festival is promising 'a unique comedy experience with something for everyone', when it comes to Southsea Common for three days from today (Thursday 31 July).

The line-up also includes Russell Kane, Marcus Brigstocke, Adam Hills and Rob Beckett who will be joined on the Saturday night by Canadian Dana Alexander - and an additional special guest still to be announced. 

Presented by the Portsmouth Cultural Partnership, the Comedy Festival will run alongside popular family festival, the Southsea Show, on Southsea Common this summer. 

Eddie Izzard is the headline act performing on Thursday and Friday. Doors for the Comedy Festival will open at 7pm, and the line-up for each show will include a variety of acts alongside Eddie Izzard's full length show.

Steve Pitt, chair of the Cultural Partnership, said:

"Portsmouth has a fantastic reputation for hosting the best comedians, both up-and-coming and established national names.

"What better way to celebrate that success than to launch a new Comedy Festival and announce one of the biggest names in Comedy, not just in the UK, but around the world, as our first headliner!"

"The Southsea Comedy Festival shows will be one of the few opportunities to see Eddie live in the UK during 2014"

Click here for more information about the event.

The Southsea Show is a separate family event which will run from Friday 1st August to Sunday 3rd August, also on the Common. Open from 10am to 6pm daily, the Southsea Show will feature family friendly activities, shows and attractions, including a petting farm, vintage fun fair, sports activities, storytelling, music, theatre, dance and a colourful carnival finale.

Organising both events is the Cultural Partnership consisting of local organisations.