Bury St Edmunds third Comedy Festival will bring two months of rib-tickling, laugh out loud fun to Suffolk during funny February and March 2026.
Prepare for a side-splitting rollercoaster ride through two months filled with stand-up, outrageous improv and a comedy cocktail that’ll leave you in stitches in a town where the history is as rich as the punchlines.
Familiar venues will be transformed into laughter sanctuaries with a line-up of comedians who are masters of their craft. From clever observations to the downright absurd, the lineup is curated to cater for every comedic taste, ensuring that no funny bone is left untouched.
For the first time, there will be a competition to find Abbeygate Comedy Club’s Comedian of the Year 2026. The first heat will be held on Sunday, 25th January with further competitions on 8th and 22nd February leading up to the exciting final on Saturday, 28th February, all the heats will be ticketed events held in the Abbeygate Cinema. More details about the comedians taking part and how to book will be announced soon.
Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds comedy season begins on Wednesday evening, 4th February when Luke Wright brings his adoption to life in Later Life Letter, the fifth and latest collection of his poems. What’s it like to stumble across your birth mother on Facebook? How do you honour the parents who have raised you while satisfying a curiosity about where you came from? What is it telling if you marry a social worker? Wright navigates his audience through a warm and honest hour of poems and stand-up with the wit, pathos and silliness that has made him one of the most popular live poets in England.
Laughter at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds continues on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th February with Showstopper! An Improvised Musical. With 15 years as an Edinburgh Fringe must-see phenomenon, BBC Radio 4 series, critically acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe with their ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity. A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results.
This is followed on Saturday,14th February when Daliso Chaponda takes the stage for his Topical Storm. Daliso has been writing jokes about the news for over a decade on Have I Got News For You, Radio 4′s News Quiz, Australia’s Good News Week and many more besides. But recently the news has been so absurd, chaotic and overwhelming that it more or less mocks itself. Where do we go from here? Topical Storm is Daliso’s response. A show not about THE news but about news itself.
Journalists, bloggers, fake news, satirical news, have we lost the thread of it all? Is the reporting of news endlessly polarising us as a society rather than educating us? Would we be better off going right back to the first ever news bulletin – the original caveman drawing on a wall – and starting from scratch? Daliso does just that in this explosive new standup show.
Fresh from a sold-out run at Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds next comedy production is Pauline Eyre’s Anyone for Tennis?. A Wimbledon line judge for 20 years, Pauline is ready to spill the Pimm’s on tennis gossip from the fragrant royal box to the musty locker room, and why line judges are OUT! Expect smashing stories, ace anecdotes and a 40-love letter to the game. And there’s nobody to say ‘quiet please’. She cannot be serious… can she?
New for 2026, International Women’s Day will be marked on Sunday 8th March at Abbeygate Comedy Club with a special evening full of laughter. Details to follow soon.
The Apex entertainment centre is joining in the fun on Thursday, 12th March with Jason Manford’s live show, A Manford All Seasons. A nationally known stand-up comedian, writer, actor and radio and television host, Jason’s career spans various ITV shows including The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash,What Would Your Kid Do?Olivier Awards, The Nightly Show and The Royal Variety Performance. He has also appeared on BBC1’s First & Last and Live at the Apollo and was a team captain for Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 Cats.
Coming to The Apex on Friday, 20th March Tilting at Windmills is a new stand-up show from Channel 4’s Taskmaster alumni and double Edinburgh comedy award winner, John Kearns. His fragmented, digressing portrayal of a 38-year-old man’s life, alludes to books he hasn’t read and touches on the modern condition, plus VAT. John has also been seen on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Sky’s Never Mind the Buzzcocks and his Sky stand-up special The Varnishing Days.
More fun nights are being added as the month gets nearer. To view the full line-up and book tickets priced from £12 per person as well as where to stay, shop, eat and drink visit www. burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk/comedy-festival.
Bury St Edmunds Comedy Festival is a partnership project between Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, The Apex, The Hunter Club Arts Centre, Abbeygate Cinema and ICE. It is being coordinated by the town’s tourism brand Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, under Our Bury St Edmunds BID.
Pioneering folk recorder player Finn Collinson returns with a national tour this November ahead of the release of his third album Byway. Due in February 2026, Byway returns to Finn’s instrumental acoustic roots, and audiences can expect to hear the album in full in this exclusive run of preview concerts. A new single Tara will be released ahead of the tour, giving audiences a flavour of the forthcoming music. Joined once again by Archie Churchill-Moss on guitar (Seth Lakeman, Sam Sweeney) and Evan Carson on bodhran (Steve Knightley, Sam Kelly, iamthemorning), Finn has drawn inspiration from his travels to create this new music, telling powerful stories without a single word. Based on traditional dance tunes and structures, but taking in subtle influences from the Baroque masters, chamber music, indie rock and modern pop, this is the most adventurous and personal music Finn has made to date. The new single Tara is a fresh, modern-sounding instrumental track, one of several original compositions from the new album, with a pulsing mid tempo groove hinting at a bold new sound for Finn and his illustrious band. Since the release of Finn’s last album The Threshold in 2022, his band has toured nationally, making stops at numerous renowned festivals and winning fans at every turn. Finn has also toured with acclaimed ceilidh band Stroma, directed the music for a stage production of Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield, and taught folk music for organisations including Britten Pears Arts, Halsway Manor and FolkEast. “We’re very excited about this new music,” Finn shares, “and the real energy comes when we share it on stage. I’m really pleased that the first people to hear our new tunes will be the live audiences joining us at these shows. It’s going to be a fun tour!” The tour and new album will find Finn in his natural habitat, telling moving instrumental stories while gently forging a unique musical path. With a respectful eye on the past, but a firm grounding in the present, Finn and his band create a captivating and wonderfully varied live show.
Sunday 23 November 2025 CAMBRIDGE • The Portland Arms 129 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, CB4 3BA Doors 7:00pm, Music 7:30pm https://theportlandarms.co.uk/wp/product/the-finn-collinson-band 23rd-nov-25/
Thursday 27 November 2025 WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA • Wells Maltings Staithe Street, Wells-Next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AU Doors 7pm, Music 7:30pm https://www.wellsmaltings.org.uk/events/finn-collinson-band/
Friday 28 November 2025 COLNE ENGAINE • Courtauld Memorial Hall 1 Station Road, Colne Engaine, Essex, CO6 2ES Doors 7pm, Music 7:30pm https://wegottickets.com/event/668295
Saturday 29 November 2025 ALDEBURGH • Jubilee Hall Crabbe Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5BN Doors 7pm, Music 7:30pm
Strictly Come Dancing favourites Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu are back with their live tour REBORN, returning to theatres across the UK from May 2026, on the back of the packed houses earlier this year.
Amy made her highly anticipated return to the dancefloor last year after her cancer diagnosis, while Carlos embraced a new chapter of self-discovery since moving to the UK – together, they truly feel REBORN.
This uplifting and inspirational show celebrates the transformative power of dance, featuring a dazzling cast of world-class dancers and vocalists. Audiences can expect an emotional journey through powerful and show-stopping routines that capture the joy, energy and beauty of dance.
Amy Dowden and her partner Ben Jones were crowned British National Latin Dance Champions in 2016, becoming the first all-British pair to win the title in over 30 years. Their other accolades include British Dance Federation Champions, English Closed Champions, and Welsh Closed and Open Champions.
Since joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, Amy has become one of the show’s most loved professionals. Her highlight came in 2019, reaching the Final with Karim Zeroual, while she has also partnered with Tom Fletcher, Brian Conley and JJ Chalmers.
Amy’s achievements extend beyond the dancefloor. She won the Raising Awareness Award at the Hello! Magazine Star Women Awards in 2019, received a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister in 2023, and was awarded an MBEin the King’s Birthday Honours 2024 for her charity work with Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Her BBC documentary Strictly Amy: Crohn’s & Me won a BAFTA Cymru, and following her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, she continues her advocacy through her work with both My Breast Friend and CoppaFeel! A new BBC One documentary following her cancer journey aired last year.
Carlos Gu is a three-time Chinese National Champion, multiple World semi-finalist, and has achieved success as a German Open finalist and runner-up in the Amateur Rising Star Latin at the 2017 UK Championships.
Joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, Carlos reached the Final in his debut season with Molly Rainford, and in 2023 partnered Angela Scanlon, captivating audiences with their stunning Argentine Tango at Blackpool.
Beyond Strictly, Carlos has performed on live tours and led professional productions showcasing his artistry. His charisma and openness have also shone through television appearances on The One Show, This Morning, Lorraine, It Takes Two, The Hit List and CBeebies Bedtime Stories, where he has shared how dance and his move to the UK have transformed his life.
As Carlos continues to inspire audiences, his story – like Amy’s – is one of passion, resilience and renewal. Together, they promise an unforgettable experience with REBORN.
Red Rooster is proud to be continuing the celebration of Southern soul, blues, roots and country as it heads into its 12th year in 2026. Set in the beautiful grounds of Euston Hall, Suffolk, this intimate and truly independent festival remains dedicated to delivering a unique experience for lovers of authentic music, great food, and good times.
Organisers are excited to announce that Early Bird Tickets for Red Rooster 2026 to be held on 28th -30th May 2026 are now on sale via the websiteat www.redrooster.org.uk.
Loyal Roosters and new fans alike are encouraged to secure their spot early.
Red Rooster Festival also wants to acknowledge the sad news that Black Deer Festival as well as many others were not operating in 2025. As fellow champions of Americana, roots and country music in the UK, it recognises in particular Black Deer’s spirit and contribution to the live music landscape.
@Chiara Obscura
Co-founder Harry Grafton says:
‘The Association of Independent festivals says 39 festivals have closed this year. Rising operating costs and prices have made many smaller innovative music events, organised by passionate and committed people, unsustainable. As well as showcasing live artists from home and abroad, like small venues they act as pipelines for emerging talent, which is key to the industry’s future. They provide a huge range of choice for music fans too. It will be a sad loss if our incredibly creative small independents are forced to shut up shop.
Red Rooster has always tried to be affordable whilst offering a depth of programming despite these added costs. Last year it was really encouraging to see more young music fans when we introduced more country music programming, and as ever generations of families came together for a great experience. Red Rooster remains committed to keeping the roots music flame alive in the UK – and looks forward to welcoming you all for another unforgettable weekend.’
Claudia Buckley was recently awarded ‘The Female vocalist of the Year’ at the Hot Country Music Awards 2024; aged just 25, she is one of the youngest ever recipients of this special recognition.
Claudia came to Bury last year, supporting Nathan Carter as special guest on his UK tour – which included a sold-out show at The Apex.
In the space of just two years Claudia has had six No.1 singles in the Country Charts in Ireland, and her recent self-penned single ‘Honey Bee’ made the top ten in the Irish pop charts.
Born in Galway, Claudia grew up immersed in country music and followed in the footsteps of her father, country music singer Jimmy Buckley. He speaks fondly with pride about Claudia’s love for her craft, “I knew music would find her, she got bitten by the music bug at a very young age. I’m so happy that the public have taken to her wonderful personality, and she has the talent to match, I could not be more proud if I tried.”
In Christmas 2020 on Irish TV’s The Late Late Show, Claudia performed a tribute to her longtime childhood hero Dolly Parton, which left viewers stunned by her star quality and vocal ability. It has raked in hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube to date. Following this, one of Claudia’s role models, Daniel O’ Donnell invited her to perform on the hit series ‘Opry Le Daniel’ where she duetted one of her favourite songs ‘Love Me Tonight’ with Daniel himself, an experience she will cherish forever.
With her own unique blend of traditional country, pop and bluegrass, Claudia has achieved an incredible amount of success so early on in her career and speaks fondly of having performed some of her hit songs at festivals and venues all over Ireland earlier this year. She says, “I’ve been so lucky to be able to make music work. I’ve met some really fantastic people and I’m so grateful that, through this, I have gained loyal fans for life, who love music just as much as I do. I’m beyond excited for what the future holds for me. Country music runs through my veins – all I have ever wanted to do is make people happy with my music. I look forward to seeing you!”
Claudia Buckley isat The Apex on Tuesday 28 October at 7.30pm. See www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more details and to book tickets.
