Comedy & Spoken Word 2023
Comedy
In 2022 we introduced a late night comedy slot on the Frontier Stage on Saturday night. It was so good, it's back for 2023.
We have 4 great acts for you, Jonny Awsum, one-man party and semi-finalist of Britain's Got Talent; Steve Royle, another BGT contender who came 3rd in 2020; and the brilliant compere Spikey Mike. Before the stand-up show, there'll be a chance to catch an amazing cabaret slot organised by Dan the Hat who's also part of the kids' programme here.
Jonny Awsum
Performing his feel-good brand of musical comedy all over the world, Jonny Awsum is a much sought-after live act! Guaranteed to lift your spirits & have you laughing. A comedic whirlwind, Jonny has a hilarious brand of musical comedy. He is the gag slinging guitar hero - audience members don’t just leave entertained, they leave as fans.
“He’s a feel-good comic in every sense of the word, a really talented musician who’ll get the whole crowd laughing ”
Fitz of Laughter Comedy Club

Steve Royle
Steve is an actor, writer, comedian, juggler, a "Gillard award" winning presenter on BBC Radio Lancashire and a finalist on ITV's Britain's Got Talent 2020. He's a regular headline act at The Comedy Store and other alternative venues and has several television appearances to his credit including on Phoenix Nights and Max And Paddy's Road To Nowhere.
“The act that reduced me to tears of joy and sadness and everything and had me in hysterics is you, Steve, I just love you” Alesha Dixon

Spikey Mike
A Nottingham-based act, who's been on the circuit since 2002 and runs a string of Funhouse comedy nights across the East Midlands. He'll be adding to the fun and compering the evening.

DIY Poets Return
This year sees the return to GTSF of DIY Poets who are one of Nottingham’s longest standing poetry groups. DIY have performed at many festivals including Gloucester, Cheltenham Ledbury and the Edinburgh Fringe and at GTSF for many years.

DIY will be delivering a Showcase featuring their finest poets on the Saturday and there will be opportunities for anyone at the Festival to come along and read a poem or two by signing up for the open mic. DIY tell everyday stories of sadness, joy and hope and even manage to rhyme every now and again.
DIY will also host the GTSF All Comers Festival Poetry Slam on the Sunday which is open for anyone at the Festival so come along and have a go – previously unknown festival attendees have won the slam before.
Who knows, there might also be some late night campfire tales to be told as well!