Reframing April Fool’s Day on Wednesday 1st April – we will be taking part in a brand new national day of celebration, Live Comedy Day, with Funny Women Live at the world-famous Comedy Store London.
Recognising the vital role live comedy plays in the UK’s economy, cultural identity, and creative future, the inaugural Live Comedy Day will take place on 1st April 2026, with comedy shows, performances and events taking place across the country. The organisers want this to become an annual event, helping to showcase the best that the live comedy industry has to offer.
Set up by the Live Comedy Association (LCA), in partnership with BBC Radio 4, Live Comedy Day recognises a sector that contributes over £1 billion to the UK economy and supports thousands of jobs, from performers and promoters to venues, technicians, and festivals. The announcement comes in the wake of the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey 2025, highlighting the significant economic, social, and cultural impact of grassroots live comedy across the UK.
The UK is internationally recognised as a global powerhouse for comedy, producing world-class talent and formats enjoyed across the globe. Funny Women is just one of many organisations that make up our thriving grassroots live comedy network – including community clubs, independent venues, festivals, and regional promoters – vital for nurturing new voices and launching the comedy stars of tomorrow.
Live Comedy Day has been established to celebrate the art of live comedy, support those working in the sector, and highlight the vital role played by those of us who make up the UK’s live comedy ecosystem. The day also aims to recognise live comedy as a crucial component of the nation’s cultural landscape.
Our celebration will be a full circle moment when we showcase female identifying line up 24 years on from the first ever final of the Funny Women Awards held at the Comedy Store London. The show will feature stand up, sketch and character acts including the winner ‘Zoe’ aka Nicola Mantilios, and the two runners up Madeliene Brettingham and Maple Zuo from the 2025 Funny Women Stage Award.
Hosted by Shaparak Khorsandi the line up also includes Suzy Bennett, Barbara Nice, Sian Davies, Spring Day and some special guests.
Recognising the importance of good writing and comedy performance, we are collaborating with the Gobby Girls who will present a series of sketches from their sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre, as part of our bumper celebration show. The cast includes Alice Etches, Noor Sobka, Verona Rose, Tonia Toseland, Claire Rafferty, Jo Somner, Laura Evelyn and Lauren Davidson.
‘Comedy is integral to our cultural and national identity and brings people together to find resilience, joy and release in this highly skilled artform,’ said Julia McKenzie, BBC Radio 4 Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner. ‘Comedians are at the heart of so many hugely successful and much-loved shows on Radio 4, and other BBC content, and we recognise just how important the network of local comedy clubs and promoters are in helping to develop future stars.’
Our own heritage was captured by BBC Radio 4 in a documentary celebrating 20 Years of Funny Women first aired in 2023 and still available to listen to on BBC Sounds here.
Jessica Toomey, Chair of the Live Comedy Association said, ‘As a sector we haven’t always shouted about what we do, nor about our contribution and value to the wider UK creative industries. Well, that is now changing, and we look forward to welcoming audiences to some amazing shows taking place in venues across the UK.’
The inaugural Live Comedy Day will feature shows and events across the UK, and venues, promoters, festivals, and performers across the UK are invited to take part. Any live comedy show taking place on 1st April can be registered free of charge on the Live Comedy Day website and will be included in the national listings of events. Which will attract local and national media coverage.
Organisers are encouraged to mark the day in distinctive ways, from hosting one-off performances or free shows, to staging special events that highlight the role live comedy plays in local communities. Participating venues and promoters will have access to official Live Comedy Day branding and digital materials to ensure visibility across the campaign.
Book for Funny Women Live at the Comedy Store London here.
For more information about shows and events across the UK visit livecomedyday.co.uk.
