Technical Assistant
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 Manchester’s biggest comedy festival announces jam-packed lineup as affordable tickets go on sale
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s most popular comedy festival is back later this year, and there’s some massive names on the lineup set to bring the laughs.
After proving to be a smash-hit success in its inaugural year back in 2022, and several other successful runs in the years following, Laughterama is back in Manchester in early September, and will once again be taking over the iconic Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre for five days of fun.
Thousands of comedy lovers attend Laughterama each year to enjoy countless sell-out stand-up sets, and this year will be no different, as festivalgoers are in for an ‘explosive series of shows‘ from some of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Jack Dee, Nick Mohammed, Sara Pascoe, Fern Brady, and Chris McCausland are just some of the famous names on this year’s jam-packed lineup.
They’ll be joined by other big names like Michelle De Swarte, Stewart Lee, Nina Conti, Ivo Graham, Ellis James, and Harriett Kemsley when they all take to the Castlefield Bowl stage over the five-day festival from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some of the other names you can expect are BAFTA nominee Rose Matafeo, stand-up marvel Sarah Keyworth, Plebs and Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal, and podcast hero John Robbins.
It wouldn’t be Laughterama without some newcomers and breakthrough stars, of course, and on the lineup this year are viral sensation Vittorio Angelone, fast-rising talents Kiran Saggu and Jen Nolan, and BBC New Comedy Award finalist Evaldas Karosas.
ADVERTISEMENT
And aside from the comedy, as always, you can expect the very-best eats from Manchester’s street food scene will also be on site to tuck into, as well as an exciting selection of bars serving signature beers, cocktails, and more.
Read more:
- New monthly comedy night with ‘some of the UK’s biggest names’ launches in Manchester
- Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
- Popular Manchester comedy festival A Lovely Weekend announces 2026 lineup
Laughterama 2026 is landing at Castlefield Bowl from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September, with tickets now on sale at £29 per person.
You can grab yours on the Laughterama website before they sell out here.
A pizzeria where every pizza is served with scissors is opening at the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
Forbici, the pizzeria where you’re encouraged to cut your pizza with scissors, has confirmed it’s opening a new restaurant at the Trafford Centre.
The popular restaurant launched in Manchester city centre last year, promising ‘the world’s most powerful pizza dough’.
It also was hailed by Marco Pierre White as being ‘the best pizza’ he’s EVER had.
It’s since expanded, launching in Sheffield earlier this year – and now Forbici has set its sights on the Trafford Centre.
The Neapolitan pizzeria will be taking over the former Franco Manca site in The Orient, bringing its biga dough and biga crusts with it to its third location.
Pizza dough here is slow-fermented to create a light, risen crust, before being topped with quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and Italian produce.
Forbici will be bringing their Manchester special, the Lancashire Hotpot, to the Trafford Centre – a pizza topped with crisps.
Other signatures include the Provola e Pepe (topped with San Marzano tomato, smoked provola, black pepper and fresh basil), as well as indulgent white-base pizzas such as the Porcini e Tartufo, loaded with Fior di latte, porcini mushrooms, Italian truffle sauce and chives.
‘Theatrical’ rotisserie chicken restaurant to open just off King Street
City Centre | 01/06/26
Authentic pizza restaurant Proloco to open inside luxury Manchester apartment building
Eats | 30/05/26
Viral Christmas Markets trader to open Manchester’s first tiramisu cafeForbici is opening in the Trafford Centre this summer
Forbici translates as ‘scissors’ in Italian, and pizzas here are always served with scissors rather than a knife and fork – diners are encouraged to snip their dinner into quarters for the ultimate pizza experience.
Toni Dennan at Forbici said: “We don’t believe pizza should ever be ordinary. Forbici is rooted in the traditions of Naples, made with real craft and precision, but it’s also built with the energy, creativity and ambition of the cities and locations we call home.
“Every detail matters to us, from the dough and ingredients to the atmosphere in the pizzeria. Opening at Trafford Centre gives us the opportunity to bring that experience to even more people and show that pizza, when it’s done properly, can still surprise, delight and create a real sense of occasion.”
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re delighted to announce that Forbici will be joining us at Trafford Centre, adding to our ever-evolving range of fantastic restaurants.
“As a local success story, we’re thrilled to be championing another Manchester success story, and look forward to sampling some of their delicious pizzas when they open this summer.”
Forbici will open at The Orient at the Trafford Centre this summer.
Read more
- Viral Christmas Markets trader to open Manchester’s first tiramisu cafe
- ‘Theatrical’ rotisserie chicken restaurant to open just off King Street
- Authentic pizza restaurant Proloco to open inside luxury Manchester apartment building
Featured image: The Manc Group
More
Audio
Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute
Eats