Hal Cruttenden, Kate Lucas, Stephen Bailey and Patrick Monahan kick off festival

The much-anticipated Southend Festival launches this weekend with a bumper crop of comedy fun.

‘Fringe Previews’ will see the festival kicking off by welcoming some of Britain’s top comedians to our seaside town as they prepare to showcase new material and routines at the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

Stars such as Hal Cruttenden, Kate Lucas, Stephen Bailey and Patrick Monahan are promising to add to the feelgood factor, here in sunny Southend before showcasing their talents at the world famous arts and comedy festival which has helped launch the careers of the likes of Ben Elton, Rowan Atkinson and Jo Brand.

The Alex pub in Alexandra Street will be hosting the opening night of the Festival’s Fringe Previews on Sunday July 1 as Patrick Monahan takes to the stage with his new show, appropriately (thanks to World Cup fever) titled #Goals.

The regular Fringe favourite and winner of ITV’s Show Me the Funny will be performing a brand-new stand up show, based around life goals.

Patrick will be joined on the night one of Britain’s hottest comedy prospects, Elliott Steel, who will be giving Southend a first look at his new material, dubbed ‘Work in Progress’. As the title suggests, Elliott will give the audience a taste of his latest workings and the chance to part of the writing process for new gags.

The feast of fun continues throughout the week with a plethora of talent, including Alison Thea-Skot, Lenny Sherman and Lauren Pattison.

On Thursday July 5. two of the biggest names in UK stand-up - Hal Cruttenden and Stephen Bailey - will be appearing at Dick de Vignes nightclub, just off Southend’s High Street.

Following appearances on the BBC’s Live at the Apollo and Have I Got News for You, plus The Royal Variety Performance on ITV, Hal Cruttenden has become a household name.

A regular on Mock the Week and shows such as The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice and The Apprentice: You’re Fired (BBC Two), Hal is debuting his new show, Chubster in Southend.

Also on the bill, Stephen Bailey - described as “an arch-bitch with a winning smile” as well as “everyone’s favourite gay best friend,” will be bringing a new show, rich in northern warmth, working-class guilt and a bit of blue, to Southend.

Then as the comedy strand of the Festival extends into its third week, it is the turn of Kate Lucas to step into the spotlight. Her new show, Whatever Happened to Kate Lucas? takes comedy fans on a rip-roaring tour of her biggest gripes, unsatisfying boyfriend, bosses from hell and lukewarm friends – all through the medium of song.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for people who enjoy a really good laugh to not only see outstanding, top-flight comics but also see and hear completely new material,” says Southend BID Manager, Alison Dewey.

“Ross McGrane of Little Smash Comedy has done an outstanding job attracting such an incredible line-up of talent to come and entertain audiences across the town centre. It’s a wonderful way to launch the Festival.”

Fans of improv will also be well catered for as tsome of the medium’s finest practitioners are also taking part in the Festival.

Scared Scriptless on Thursday July 19 will bring together local legends, Lee Tearrell (The Laughter Academy) and John Oakes (Radio Essex, Impro Panto) with industry heavyweights Tony Slattery and Richard Vranch of Who’s Line is it Anyway? fame, and the inimitable Suki Webster, who often performs alongside ‘off-the-cuff’ comedy master, Paul Merton.

For more information about the tSouthend Festival, as well as tickets and details, click on www.visitsouthend.co.uk, like the Facebook page @VisitSouthendonSea, or follow @VisitSouthend on Twitter.