Aldeburgh Comedy Weekend launches with a roar at Jubilee Hall.

Three days of sharp satire, improvised brilliance and coastal humour

put Suffolk centre-stage.

 

Jubilee Hall was bursting with laughter last weekend as the first-ever Aldeburgh Comedy Weekend brought together some of the UK’s best-loved comedians for three days of fearlessly funny entertainment and satire on the Suffolk coast.

Across three packed days, audiences enjoyed a mix of headline acts, stage premieres and special moments that showcased the breadth of British comedy today. Highlights included razor-sharp impressions in an opening night from Rory Bremner with special guest host Helen Atkinson Wood; the stage premiere of A Short Gentleman, a witty one man show by long-time Aldeburgh resident and writer Jon Canter, starring Michael Fenton Stevens, and a high-octane masterclass in improv from Showstopper! The Improvised Musical.

Another high point of the weekend was comedian Clive Anderson in conversation with Alison Steadman, honouring her lifetime of craft and generosity and culminating in the presentation of a ‘Lunchtime Achievement Award for Services to Comedy’ by legendary Blackadder and Spitting Image producer, John Lloyd.

Marking a triumphant new chapter in Jubilee Hall’s programme of live arts, Emily Mummery, General Manager of Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall, said:

“We launched Aldeburgh Comedy Weekend with big ambitions, and the response exceeded every expectation. The energy in the Hall was electric from the first laugh to the last. I’m hugely grateful to our volunteers, partners and audiences who backed a new idea and helped us deliver a weekend that felt both world-class and wonderfully Aldeburgh.”

Paul Scheslinger, Aldeburgh Comedy Weekend Producer, added:

“Jon and I thought there might be an appetite for comedy in Aldeburgh, but we couldn’t have predicted quite how popular it would be. It’s always an unknown launching something new but the response from performers and audiences alike has been amazing. We are very grateful to everyone who helped make it happen – performers, production team and of course audiences, and we very much hope this is the start of something special for future years.”

With Rory Bremner joking in his show about his first visit to Aldeburgh, saying ‘I was just passing’, Jon Canter reflected, “We all know what he means: it’s only seals and jellyfish who are ‘just passing’ this glorious seaside town. But the Comedy Weekend proved that top comic talent can be lured here and welcomed with open arms and loud applause by enthusiastic audiences who love spicy humour as much as salty air.”

Beyond the stage, the weekend created a welcome lift for local businesses, with busy restaurants and a steady flow of visitors discovering Aldeburgh between shows. The weekend also leaned into community spirit with BBC Radio Suffolk dropping by during build-up week, and a launch-party at The Suffolk with local supporters adding sparkle to proceedings.

Buoyed by sell out shows, glowing feedback and an audience still laughing, the only joke would be calling the Aldeburgh Comedy Weekend a one-off. Let’s hope a 2026 sequel is soon confirmed in the town’s cultural calendar.