Ted Lasso star set for Powys' Machynlleth comedy festival

Running from Friday, April 28, to Sunday, April 30, the annual celebration of comedy and stand-up will be hosting some of the country’s top names, as well as several acts making their debut at the acclaimed comedy festival.

Hundreds of shows will be held during the packed weekend, with audiences from across Britain and beyond turning out to see what Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert described as "One of the best festivals in the world."

While there are any number of fresh faces waiting to become someone’s new favourite comedian, an array of famous faces will be showcasing new material at the festival.

Host of panel show ‘Hypothetical’ and podcast ‘Off Menu’, James Acaster will be bringing his new show ‘Hecklers Welcome’, a follow up to his acclaimed Netflix stand-up special ‘Repertoire’ and ‘Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999’.

Nish Kumar (Image: Idil Sukan)

Panellist on ‘Mock the Week, ‘QI’ and ‘Taskmaster’ Nish Kumar is taking to the stage multiple times on Saturday for three sold out performances.

Other shows that have already sold out include fellow ‘Taskmaster’ alumni Mike Wozniak and Lou Sanders, as well as Ivo Graham and Phil Wang.

‘Ted Lasso’ star Nick Mohammed will be performing on Sunday at the BBC Radio Wales Mach Arena, while actor Tom Davis of ‘Murder in Successville’ will be showcasing his stand-up on Sunday at Y Plas’ Main Hall.

Welsh comedians Kiri Pritchard Mclean and Tudur Owen are both leading their own sold out shows over the weekend, returning to what has become a frequent hot spot for Welsh comics.

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Other notable acts include ‘The Last Leg’ correspondent Rosie Jones, ‘Frankie Boyle’s New World Order’ panellists Jen Brister and Ahir Shah, ‘Live at the Apollo’ host Darren Harriot, podcast and radio host Athena Kugblenu and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2022 contestant Jayde Adams.

Festival co-founder and organiser Henry Widdecombe said of the event: “I wanted to create this place that would centre the comedian, that could be sort of mysterious.

“No one really knew where Machynlleth was, so it feels like you have to make an effort to travel there.

“It creates an environment where the people who are there really want to be there, so it was built for the comedy purist.”

While many shows have sold out, tickets for remaining available venues can be found on the festival’s website or at the box office at the Owain Glyndwr Centre.