New four-day comedy festival to launch in 2023

London’s O2 Arena is to play host to a major comedy festival next year.

The venue has teamed up with Just For Laughs to launch a London spin-off from its long-running Montreal festival.

Solo shows, live podcast recordings, ‘in conversation’ events and cast panels will be held at the venue over March 2 to 5 next year. Organises promise both UK-based artists and international stars – although no line-ups have yet been announced.

As with the Montreal event, comedy fans and industry will buy passes to give access across all the festival.

Just For Laughs president Bruce Hills says the event will be ‘celebrating the contribution and influence British comedy has had on JFL as well as the industry as a whole’.

And chief executive Charles Décarie added: ‘We are beyond excited to plant some roots by adding a new comedy festival in one of the world’s most notorious comedy cities, London, England.’

British acts have long featured in the Montreal festival, which is seen as a springboard into the American market. Its galas are televised around the world and have featured on Channel 4, the BBC, Channel 5. Acts who have got a break there include John Oliver, Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall, Eddie Izzard, Gina Yashere and Sarah Millican.

The O2’s Emma Bownes said: ‘We can’t wait to host the very best UK and global stars, alongside podcast recordings, table reads and breakout comics across multiple stages under our roof. We look forwards to Just For Laughs London returning to The O2 for years to come.’

Just For Laughs London is also being run with global events and sports giant AEG Presents

This is not the first time JFL has launched a  UK festival. In 2016, it ran a Spiegeltent-based site in Central London featuring the likes of Jim Jefferies, Gina Yashere and Piff The Magic Dragon, but did not repeat the venture.

Published: 20 Jan 2022