Comedy Giants Rob Brydon, Tim Vine, Daliso Chaponda, and More Head To Storyhouse This Autumn

If laughter is the best medicine then Storyhouse audiences can expect to enjoy a healthy Autumn that will tickle their ribs and tap them on the funnybone.

The Chester arts venue is gearing up to host to some of the top names in British comedy, along with rising stand-up stars and ones to watch for the future in a season guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

The laughter starts with Welsh comedian, actor and Would I Lie to You? host Rob Brydon who brings his I Am Standing Up... tour to the city on Friday 21 September. It's the engaging comedian's first UK stand-up tour in almost a decade since his sell-out national tour and West End run in 2009.

The comedy continues throughout October with many household names featuring in the programme, beginning with Tim Vine, performing at Storyhouse for the very first time on Thursday 4 October. Audiences can expect the very best of Vine with his trademark silly jokes, daft ditties and homemade props as part of his Sunset Milk Idiot tour. This is comedy without a message.

Britain's Got Talent star Daliso Chaponda comes to Chester on Friday 5 October as part of his debut stand-up tour, What The African Said. The show is about recent news, old news, fake news, and stories that were never quite but almost news. It is also a show about the things we say to each other - gossip, tall stories and, of course, declarations of love.

The unrivalled talent of endless repertoire of comedy gold from Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise is celebrated on Saturday 6 October with the incredible show, An Evening of Eric and Ern. Performed by Jonty Stephens, who plays Eric, and Ian Ashpitel as Ernie, the show is packed with the pair's most loved routines and nostalgic sketches. A real homage to these two comedy greats.

The 'German Comedy Ambassador' Henning Wehn presents Get On With It on Thursday 18 October. Henning's latest show is a call to arms - he wants everyone to stop messing around and hand-wringing, and get on their bikes instead.

New for Autumn 2019, the Storyhouse Comedy Weekend promises to keep crowds laughing with a weekend of comedy highlights on Saturday 27 October and Sunday 28 October. The full programme is still to be officially announced, but acts so far include The Horne Section, Barbara Nice and Jayde Adams.

The Horne Section is led by Alex Horne, who created and hosts hit Dave TV series Taskmaster, and has appeared on shows including 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and The John Bishop Show.

Comedy character Barbara Nice is a favourite on the comedy circuit. Portrayed by actress Janice Connelly, the character became a hit after appearing in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights - and is now a performer in her own right.

Comedian, opera singer, actress, piano player - the list of things Jayde Adams excels at just goes on. Dubbed "the future of British comedy" by Diva magazine, she has collected countless awards since her debut on the comedy scene in 2016. Dawn French counts herself as a fan.

The full Storyhouse Comedy Weekend line-up will be announced shortly.

November's laughs start with Celebrity Juice regular and TV show panellist Chris Ramsey. He brings his new show, The Just Happy To Get Out Of The House Tour, to Storyhouse on Monday 5 November. New dad Chris tries to outline the rules of modern life for his baby son, and ponders on why his wife has trouble loading the dishwasher correctly.

David Spikey roars into the city on Thursday 8 November with his Juggling On A Motorbike 30th anniversary tour. Dave had been working in the NHS for almost 20 years when he won national talent show, Stairway to the Stars. The former biomedical scientist looks back on his life and journey from working class lad to Chief Biomedical Scientist to comedian and writer, taking in Phoenix Nights, Eight out of Ten Cats, Bullseye, Dead Man Weds, Magnolia, and The Royal Variety Show along the way.

Autumn also sees Salford comedy giant Jason Manford back on tour with his brand new show, Muddle Class, on Friday 9 November. The show promises a wealth of new material about Jason growing up 'working class' then finding, over the years, that part of him has become 'middle class' - causing much confusion!

Demand has been so great, that Jason Manford has already added an two extra dates at Storyhouse for the Spring 2019 season on Wednesday 13 February 2019 and Thursday 14 February.

Storyhouse Artistic Director Alex Clifton said: "Storyhouse has developed an excellent reputation for hosting great comedy - and we're delighted to continue with a strong programme for Autumn 2018. Several comedians have already sold out before the season event gets underway. A season highlight will most definitely be the very first Storyhouse Comedy Weekend in October, so watch this space for further announcements."

Tickets for all shows are now on sale. Please check individual shows for ticket prices.

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