Bury St Edmunds hosts its first Comedy Festival during throughout February, with Frank Skinner, Tom Davis and Brian Bilston

Get ready for a month of rib-tickling fun and laughter when Bury St Edmunds hosts its first Comedy Festival throughout February.

The town’s history is as rich as the punchlines, which will take you on a rollercoaster ride through the month filled with side-splitting stand-up, outrageous improv, witty poetry and comedy plays.

Familiar venues will be transformed with a line-up of comedians sure to make everyone chuckle with no funny bone left untouched.

The fun begins on Thursday, February 1 when the Theatre Royal welcomes Gavin Robinson presenting two of Charles Dickens’ creepy tales, with a comic twist. This will be followed on February 2 by comic legend Frank Skinner with his critically-acclaimed show 30 Years of Dirt following a sell-out at the Edinburgh Fringe. His show has sold out, but you can join a waiting list.

Other big laughs at the Theatre Royal include Luke Wright’s Silver Jubilee on February 7, a witty show celebrating his 25 years as one of Britain’s most popular live poets, and Mark Watson on February 9. Following his successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Mark will present a night of relatable anecdotes and observational humour. Olivier award-winning musical comedy Showstopper! The Improvised Musical will also take the theatre’s stage on February 10 and 11.

The Apex welcomes the Fat Club Comedy Club presenting three or four comedians from the national and international circuit, while stand-up artist Chris McCausland appears on February 20 and 21. The popular poet laureate of Twitter, Brian Bilston shares the spotlight on February 22 with writer, poet and TV producer Henry Normal.

Stand-up artist Tom Davis is at the Theatre Royal on February 24, which is also hosting a Royally Funny Comedy Night on February 28. Go along on March 1 and you can relive key moments from all 236 episodes of Friends as Joseph Maudsley brings to life the iconic character of Gunther.

Thanks to Huffmaster Upholstery Comedy Productions, The Hunter Club will be joined by Aaron Jay with his new headlining show, Honey, I’m Home at the Club’s Comedy Open Mic night on February 29, which is a free entry event with donations for Cancer Research UK. Aaron is an up and coming comic from East Anglia.

The festival is a partnership project between the Theatre Royal, The Apex, The Hunter Club and Bury St Edmunds Guildhall. It is being coordinated by Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, under Our Bury St Edmunds BID.