The Bengaluru Comedy Festival brings stand-up shows, workshops and talks

This is the third edition of the festival with some of the biggest names in comedy 
Sumendra Singh
Sumendra Singh

The third edition of the Black Dog Bengaluru Comedy Festival kicks off tonight at UB City. “We’ve introduced multiple runs of solo shows, which is a true international comedy festival format,” says the organiser Sumendra Singh, adding, “Since the festival is spread across 10 days, it gives the audience an opportunity to plan better, watch multiple shows and experience it like a festival.”

The comedians participating include Rohan Joshi, Ashish Shakya, Aditi Mittal, Varun Grover, Daniel Fernandes and Sanjay Manaktala. “I’m participating in some panel discussions and also doing a few solo shows, but more than anything, it is a great atmosphere and everyone from the comedy circuit is going to be there, so it’s very special,” says Mumbai-based comedian Karunesh Talwar.  

The festival has taken inspiration from many international comedy festivals. “I had the opportunity to work as an associate producer at the Melbourne Inter-national Comedy Festival and I also visited the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as an arts industry delegate, both earlier this year. A lot of working principles learnt from both these events have been applied to redesign the festival this year,” explains Sumendra about the concept  behind the annual event.

The organisers also touch upon some pressing issues through panel discussions, such as Women in Comedy, which will be moderated by comedienne Neeti Palta. “It’s not just representation that we care about but also understanding how we can make the working environment more comfortable for women artistes,” Sumendra explains. The other topics for discussions and workshops include Comedy: India and International, Languages in Stand-up, improv workshops and comedy production workshops.

November 17 - 26. At various venues. Tickets (Rs. 499 upwards) on comedywagon.com

 anagha@newindianexpress.com

 @anaghzzz

Related Stories

No stories found.
Indulgexpress
www.indulgexpress.com