Since its very beginning in 2018, QED Comedy’s Oxford Comedy Festival has been the place to be in July. Offering two shows a night throughout the month, comedians travel to the city to test their burgeoning hour of comedy, using the audience as their test subject.
It can be daunting when faced with what to pick amongst the dozens of comedians. But fear not! Daily Info is here to help, picking the ten nights of comedy we think you should book for.
Opening night: Amy Annette & Matt Richardson – 1st July
It's always worth checking out the comedy festival's opening performers, as QED Comedy likes to start things with a bang. And this year they've a pair of past Fringe Fest hits with new hours to showcase. First up is Amy Annette, building her hugely successful debut. She is followed by Matt Richardson, a familiar TV persona with a wealth of comedy experience. Both are sure to go down a treat and hint at the comedic glory to follow throughout the month.
The Jamie Mykaela & Friends Variety Hour – 2nd July
As well as touring comedians, the Oxford Comedy Festival showcases local talent, and Daily Info could not be more excited for the return of The Jamie Mykaela & Friends Variety Hour. Mykaela brings together comedians, musicians and other talents for a show that apes 60s Vaudeville and is sure to go down a treat.
Preceeding it is Lily Philips, a hilariously sarcastic comic.
Pierre Novellie – 8th July
A comedian's comedian, Pierre Novellie has built a reputation as a comic that deconstructs the genre whilst mixing in heaps of laughs. From the show name, You Sit There, I'll Stand Here, we predict a gloriously meta affair.
Stick around aferwards for Esther Manito's Slagbomb, exploring all the messy, chaotic and hilarious moments of transition from youth to adulthood.
Chloe Petts – 14th July
One of the most accomplished comedians on the circuit, Chloe Petts returns for a fourth show, which this time delves into sex. Petts explores the likes of Page 3, being cast as a sex offender and vagina dentata in what promises to be a chortle-inducing hour of comedy.
Before them there’s Jamie D’Souza, who covers everything from a promiscuous live-in landlord to bulimia and accidentally giving a dog MDMA.
Rachel Fairburn – 17th July
The Mancunian comedian and co-host of the All Killa No Filla podcast, Rachel Fairburn returns to the fest with new jokes and character. And Daily Info can attest to just how fiercely funny Fairburn is.
After Fairburn there’s Susie McCabe, the hilarious and multi-award winning Scottish comedian, offering a razor-sharp hour of comedy and cracking storytelling.
We Hate Movies – 18th to 20th July
Here’s a first for Oxford Comedy Festival – an exclusive residence from a comedy podcast. The We Hate Movies podcast discuss it all – good movies, bad movies, TV and toilet talk – and bringing this to Oxford for six(!) live shows, covering the likes of King Ralph, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek. Shows are already selling out, so make sure you book quick!
John Kearns – 22nd July
John Kearns has spent the last few years becoming an increasingly familiar face on TV comedies (you may have caught him on Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo or Never Mind the Buzzcocks). And with good reason - Kearns is an effortlessly funny, wonderfully surreal comedy delight and a perfect way for the festival to launch into its last week.
Before Kearns takes to the mike you can see Kathy Maniura, who’s following up his five star, award nominated fringe debut.
Ceyla AB – 27th July
Ceyla AB is hilarious! Her quiche girl joke quietly lives in my head rent-free. And she’s back at the festival with a new show that promises to be richly funny, with the laughs building up throughout the hour. A festival must catch!
Before Ceyla there’s Hasan Al-Habib, the award-winning comedian who is debuting his solo hour.
Jessica Fostekew – 29th July
Now this is one of Daily Info’s team’s favourite comics. Fostekew is hilarious and has been a mainstay of the festival since its gestation. She comes with the beginnings of a new show and what you’re likely to get is something with a madcap energy that will have you laughing for the entire hour.
Before Fostekew is Oxford’s own Caitriona Dowden, promising a feel-good show about apocalyptic dread. Daily Info is intrigued and will be seated for it.
Closing night: Steve Hall and Jane Gregory, Sara Barron – 31st July
And just like that the festival draws to a close with two of its best hours. First up is Jane Gregory and Steve Hall, whose show is a test of their 15 years of marriage as it explores Gregory’s misophonia and Hall’s inability to learn table manners. And then you get Sara Barron, who has forged a mightily impressive career since she debuted in 2018. This really is the perfect way to end the festival on a high.
This is just a flavour of the festival. Check out the full line-up and make sure you book yourself on to heaps of comedy to make July the funniest month of the year.