The Newcastle Gateshead Comedy Festival runs the week before the Edinburgh Fringe Festival so it's the perfect time to cherry pick the best acts to preview their new shows before heading to the Fringe to debut them a few days later.

We have carefully selected the best local performers alongside top acts with an established pedigree at the festival so there's a very good chance you could see one of the top award winners without having to leave the North-East.

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Newcastle Gateshead Comedy Festival is brought to you by Jesterval Ltd which is company run by comedians David Hadingham and John Smith plus the woman who is always right Della Haq. All three of them are committed to making the Festival a cultural extravaganza that locals can be proud of. Attracting a diverse range of quality acts to the region while making shows affordable and accessible to all (there are even FREE entry shows so there's no excuse not to give it a try)

It runs from the 20th to the 29th July which is just prior to the slightly more famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Its close proximity both in time and geographical location allow us to hand pick some of the best artists to preview their shows before they travel north. Unlike it's more illustrious neighbour the NGCF is invite only which means we use our knowledge to carefully select the best acts to participate without the need for you to trawl through a brochure gambling your time and hard earned cash as to which shows are the wheat and which are the chaff...it's all wheat at NGCF!

So take a peak at the jam-packed line up featuring some of the finest comedians, from household names to hotly tipped acts alongside the best local talent. Don't miss this opportunity to see the acts up close and personal at a very affordable price, there's a chance you'll be paying a lot more for a ticket to see them in the not too distant future.

For all you die hard comedy fans out there who may be feeling the pinch of the double dip recession, there are a variety of free shows available at the Chillingham Arms, although these are free entry you may be asked for a voluntary contribution at the end. It's a veritable comedy feast, there truly is something for everyone, so tuck in and make sure you don't miss out.

The better attended this year's event the better next year's event will be so help make 2012 a year to remember for North-East folk (not only for the Olympics, Jubilee or Newcastle's surprise Europa League qualification).

Last but definitely not least, we would like to thank all of our Sponsors and supporters who have helped make the festival possible!