TEST DRIVE COMEDY FESTIVAL

TEST DRIVE is a brand-new comedy festival for brand-new jokes.
13 of the best comedians from the North West circuit and beyond are joining forces to present split-bill work-in-progress shows every night between the 17th-20th November.

Amongst our comics are award winners and nominees, television stars, regional regulars and character acts - it's a real who's who!

With jokes straight out of our acts' notebooks and noggins, there'll be plenty of laughs, perhaps the occasional tumbleweed and the chance to discover emerging talent on the Manchester comedy scene. Who knows, you could be privy to the next 'Garlic Bread'...

Held inside the Red Arch Bookshop (11 Red Bank, M4 4HF), the festival will adopt a relaxed, cosy, fringe-like vibe where comedians can play, experiment & most importantly, entertain you for the evening.

Come and find your new favourite comedian - we're going on a Test Drive.

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for individual shows are available on the Red Arch Eventbrite, or can be found via the links in the line-up section below.

Line-up:

Josh Jones - Last One Laughing S3, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Would I Lie To You?

Molly McGuinness - Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer nominee, tour support for Joe Lycett

Jess Perillo - "Endearingly funny with a wicked edge" (Brennan Reece), tour support for Abby Govindan

Charlie Ashton - BBC New Comedy Awards Regional Finalist, "a star in the making" - Rolling Stone

Alex Stringer - Edinburgh Fringe ISH Best Newcomer nominee, Chortle Hotshot winner 2025

Zoe Cousin - BBC New Comedy Awards Regional Finalist, So You Think You're Funny? Semi-Finalist

Clementine Bogg-Hargroves - ★★★★ (The Scotsman), ‘Winning humour and infectious irreverence’ ★★★★ (TheStage)

Rose Gray/Brenda - Having appeared on Channel 4 Comedy & CBBC, ‘Rose is hilarious and if she’s unavailable you can book her alter ego, Brenda. Double funny!’ (Rachel Fairburn)

Paul Campbell - Rolling Stone Rising Star of Comedy, Malcom Hardee Award for Comic Originality Winner

Anna Thomas - BBC New Comedy Award Winner, Sean Lock Award Nominee (Channel 4)

Will Owen - Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Winner, BBC New Comedy Award Nominee

Kathy Rivett - BBC New Comedy Award Regional Finalist, 2x Chortle Student Award Finalist

Justina Seselskaite - Edinburgh Fringe ISH Award Nominee, So You Think You're Funny? Finalist, "Brilliant" - Micky Flanagan

Door & show times vary | Red Arch open from 4pm for Happy Hour!