The comedy film Apocalypse Clown – starring David Earl and Natalie Palamides – has been given a UK cinema release.

It will be screening from September 1, distributors Vertigo Releasing  have announced today.

Earl  – who has starred in Brian & Charles and After Life as well as on the live stage as his alter-ego Brian Gittins –  plays the leader of a troupe of failed clowns who embark on a chaotic adventure after a mysterious solar event plunges the world into anarchy.

Shot in  Dublin and Kildare, the film has been written by Shane O’Brien, James Walmsley and Demian Fox – also known as the comedy troupe Dead Cat Bounce.

Director George Kane said: ‘I miss the days of the out-there, joke-packed big-screen comedy and Apocalypse Clown is ruthlessly devoted to making audiences laugh. 

‘It's blessed with a wonderful cast who fully committed to bringing these loveably twisted weirdos to life, and it demands to be seen with a crowd. 

‘It's unhinged, unpredictable and if it's not the greatest dystopian Irish clown comedy ever made, it's definitely Top 5…’

He previously described the film as ‘Three Amigos directed by Roland Emmerich. It’s Waterworld - on land - with fright wigs. It’s the apocalyptic clown comedy the world didn’t know it needed - but absolutely does.'

A trailer has also been released:

The film - which also stars Amy De Bhrún, Fionn Foley, Tadhg Murphy and Ivan Kaye – receives its world premiere screening at the Galway Film Fleadh on July 14 and its North American premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival in Quebec this month.

Kane has previously directed all 12 episodes of Daniel Lawrence Taylor’s  ITV2 sitcom  Timewasters as well as episodes of Brassic and Black and three stories in the latest series of Inside No 9: The Bones of St Nicholas, Mother’s Rui  and Paraskevidekatriaphobia.