The Bath Comedy Festival 2019 will run from 26th March - 14th April.

Attendees at the festival's official programme launch at The Bill Murray venue in London on Friday (4th March) included the comedy industry, press and performers, who were treated to a showcase featuring some of the stars of the 2019 Festival. There were performances by Rory Bremner, Jess Robinson and Marcel Lucont, with puns aplenty from Darren Walsh and stand-up with an international favour from Romanian Radu Isac and Italian Luca Cupani.

Rory Bremner praised Bath Comedy Festival for its wide range of quality comedic talent and its ethos of programming household names alongside new and up and coming comedians.

Director Nick Steel also used the event to thank the festival's principal sponsors Lovehoney for their support. He also highlighted the "high ratio" of female performers this year (over 1 in 3 across the festival) and increased accessibility - over two thirds of Festival shows being free entry / "pay what you feel", making live comedy truly affordable.

Now in its 11th year, the festival recently won the Bath Business Award for Leisure & Tourism, and the Bath Life Award for Arts. This year approximately 300 comedians will perform at over 150 events across the festival's 20 days.

Highlights in the 2019 programme include the Opening Night with Rory Bremner and Rob Rouse; two star-packed Gala line-up showcases; An Evening of Eric & Ern, and Henning Wehn headlining Bath's fabulous art deco Forum. There'll also be immersive dining and mystery tour events; a host of Edinburgh-style professional shows; an extensive affordable programme; and the prestigious annual New Act Competition, the winner of which receives the Lovehoney Newcomer Award.

To find out more about the festival visit bathcomedy.com