A world-famous comedy festival is to be staged in London for the first time this summer.
Just For Laughs Montreal – which is the largest multi-venue comedy event in the world and helped launch the careers of the likes of Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, and Louis CK – will bring Just For Laughs London to a variety of locations throughout the city from July 13 until July 24, and will see performances from the likes of Australian comic Jim Jefferies, ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist Piff the Magic Dragon, ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ star Colin Mochrie, Londoner Gina Yashere and even an evening with Olympian Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, whose life story was recently turned into a movie starring Tarron Egerton and Hugh Jackman.
Jim said: Just For Laughs in Montreal gave me my first big break in America,
somehow a VHS tape from the Comedy Store had got into the hands of the main comedy booker for JFL and if rumours are true an old piece I used to do called ‘The Egg Story’ was watched by every member of the team and was signed up the next day to play The Nasty Show. That led to my first hour there which led to more bookings in New York which led to my first HBO Special. The rest is history."
The main site in Russell Square will be open daily as a free festival featuring street performers, magicians and art installations.
Ticket proceeds from the opening night gala at the Spiegeltent on July 13 will be donated to Great Ormond Street hospital.
For further information, listings and to buy tickets, visit www.justforlaughslondon.com.