Home > Tyne & Wear > South Shields > The Customs House

The first South Tyneside Comedy Festival starts today, Friday 29th July until 7th August 2016.

If you are staying at our bed and breakfast accommodation in South Shields we are a few minutes walk from the host venue The Customs House at Mill Dam, South Shields, NE33 1ES.

A free guide to the festival can be viewed below.

Full details of the performances is as follows…

Friday 29th July 2016

Justin Moorhouse – People and Feelings (Edinburgh Preview), 7:00pm £7 (60 minutes).

From Live at the Apollo, Phoenix Nights, The News Quiz and Fighting Talk. A little slimmer but still as “belly laugh funny” – Manchester Evening News, everyone’s favourite northern charmer is back on the road and better than ever.

Chris Ramsey and Jason Cook – Ramsey and Cook are Mucking About. 8:30pm £10 (120 minutes with interval).

They are back! Join best mates Jason Cook and Chris Ramsey doing what they do best – “Mucking About”. No real plan, maybe just some ideas, 2 microphones and two of the hottest comedians in the North East firing off each other and the audience in an improvised evening of chaos.

Saturday 30th July 2016

Comedy for Kids! Martin Bigpig – ‘funny stuff for happy people’. 1pm £8 (60 minutes).

With almost 30 years experience as a professional entertainer, he has performed successfully at events of all description; from the Hammersmith Apollo to a shows for CBBC, from comedy clubs to performing before members of the British Royal Family, from the prestigious London Festival of New Circus, to being the warm up act for Tina Turner. A joy to have him at the festival, a must-see for kids in the holidays! Suitable for ages 0-100.

Comedy Definitely for Grownups! Steffen Peddie – 99 Problems and the Chips Ain’t One. 7pm £7 (90 minutes).

Are there everyday problems you need answered? Let Steffen Peddie (star of BBC2’s ‘Hebburn’ and host of MetroFM’s Nightowls), a man who has (and causes) multiple problems every day show you the way out of the moral maze of life’s challenges. This show is improvised from what the audience writes, so it’s a different show every time that rapidly turns into a complete riot of fun and laughter! Come with a problem and leave with a solution, or at least with a smile on your face.

Tom Allen – Indeed. 4pm £6 (60 minutes).

Tom is currently supporting Sarah Millican on her sold out UK tour. In this new show, the sharply dressed, well-spoken, disparagingly camp son of working-class Bromley explains why he’s occasionally disgusted with modern life yet delighted with its eccentricities. As seen on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, The John Bishop Christmas Special, Comedy Central at the Comedy Store and the Channel 4 Comedy Gala at the O2 and as heard on Radio 4’s Loose Ends and Just a Minute. “It’s great to see his light-entertainment prowess being recognised” (Independent). “Catch him now and you’ll be able to tell people how you saw him before he was famous” (Telegraph). “Otherworldly… a delight of raconteurship” (Scotsman).

Sunday 31st July 2016

Standard Issue in Conversation. 3pm £10 (60 minutes).

The sharp and witty online women’s magazine hosts a killer line-up of funny women talking about comedy, women, feminism and other topics as yet undecided. Join Sarah Millican, comedian Dotty Winters and Standard Issue editor, Mickey Noonan, and another brilliant woman TBC for what is bound to be an excellent evening of chat. Presented by Standard Issue Magazine.

Adam Rowe – Bittersweet Little Lies. 5pm £5 (60 minutes).

Although still in his early twenties, Adam is already one of the most sought after acts in the country and is fast becoming a favourite at all of the UK’s biggest comedy clubs and festivals. Delving into the consequences of lying and the problems with honesty, Adam recalls a small fabrication that massively impacted his life; a lie he told his father about his mother when he was ten, which consequently led to their separation and later divorce. But not everything is as it may first appear, and maybe every lie spoken has its own bittersweet consequences.

Gary Delaney – There’s Something About Gary. 7pm £10 (60 minutes).

Gary thinks a good joke should be like a drunk Glaswegian – short and punchy. His brand new show is not only great for people who like lots of jokes, but fun for people who enjoy getting offended by jokes too. Regular on Mock the Week, double Sony Award winner. ‘An endless flow of top quality jokes’ (Guardian). ‘One of Britain’s grandmasters of the one-liner’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Gary Delaney has more quality jokes in one hour than many comics have in their entire careers… Quite Brilliant’ (Scotsman). ‘A master craftsman’ (Times).

Paul Sinha – Postcards from the Z List. 8.30pm £10 (60 minutes).

You’ve seen him on The Chase, now this award winning, globe trotting comedian comes to sunny South Shields! **** “This is a faultless hour of comedy.” Broadway Baby. ***** “Sinha may class himself as a Z List celebrity but I can assure you he is definitely A list when it comes to being a comedian.” one4review. **** “Postcards from the Z List is an endearing and gently brilliant show. Sinha is back and he’s as strong as ever.” Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. **** “A typically classy, self-effacing hour… densely funny and accomplished comedy.” The Scotsman. **** “There is not a moment wasted, not a moment when you will not be hanging on his words, not a moment when you will not be sharing his exuberant zest for life. This is a very strong performance by a man who clearly wants to be the best comedian he can be and who seems well on the way to being that.” ScotsGay. **** “Fiercely sharp, poignant and on top form.” The Skinny. **** “Whip-smart comedy” Time Out. **** “Beautifully crafted.” Fest.

Monday 1st August 2016

James Acaster – Reset (Edinburgh Preview). 7.30pm £6 (60 minutes).

James Acaster finds himself with something to look forward to. Something he has always wanted. Something we all want. Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show nominee 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. ‘There is no one better at constructing a show than Acaster’ (Guardian). ‘Comic genius’ (Evening Standard). ‘A bright and unique comedy mind’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘He really is rewriting the comedy rulebook’ (Time Out). ‘Continues to stun with boundless creativity and technical mastery’ (Scotsman). ‘If Oxford wants to study stand-up in depth, Acaster is a good place to start’ (Sunday Times).

Nish Kumar – Actions Speak Louder Than Words, Unless You Shout the Words Real Loud (Edinburgh Preview). 7.30pm £6 (60 minutes).

A comedy show about history, democracy and capitalism. As seen on Live at the Apollo and Have I Got News for You. Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee 2015. Rose d’Or winner – Best Radio Comedy. Sell-out show 2014 and 2015. ‘Utterly brilliant’ ***** (Time Out). ‘A masterclass by a no-frills stand-up at the height of his powers’ **** (Guardian). Best reviewed show of 2015, British Comedy Guide. Top 10 comedy shows of 2015, Guardian. The Five Best Comedy Acts of 2015, Telegraph.

Joel Dommett – Pretending to Smoke With a Breadstick (Edinburgh Preview). 9pm &pound5; (60 minutes).

Joel, as a child, used to pretend to smoke with a breadstick. He is now addicted to breadsticks. Join Joel (Sky 1’s Bring the Noise, ITV2’s Reality Bites, BBC Three’s Russell Howard’s Good News and Impractical Jokers) for an unmissable hour of stand-up. By “unmissable” I mean you will be frustrated if you miss it. It is actually very missable with the sheer volume of shows at the Fringe so make sure you don’t accidentally watch something else. “Excellent storytelling comic” (Guardian). “Hilarious… Delightful tales” (Scotsman).

Wednesday 3rd August 2016

Carl Hutchinson – The Fixer. 8pm £7 (60 minutes).

See one of the UK’s most in-demand comedians as he does what he does best – hilariously squares off against life’s petty annoyances. From people who obnoxiously post motivational quotes on social media to those who urge you to put your phone in rice when you get it wet, Carl Hutchinson tackles a bunch of little, everyday issues in his latest show The Fixer. Fresh from supporting Chris Ramsey on tour, join Carl as he attempts to put the world to rights in his brand new hour of stand-up. ‘An absolute must… the next big thing’ (The Skinny).

Thursday 4th August 2016

The Geordie Rat Pack Destroy Songs From The Shows. 7.30pm (140 minutes including interval).

The Geordie Rat Pack return to The Customs House with their summer special! The usual stand up, songs and heavy drinking. All previous shows have sold out, thousands entertained so far, this one is selling fast, be quick!

Saturday 6th August 2016

Ramsey and Cook Are Mucking About 2 – The Festival Finale! To finish off the festival in style, Chris Ramsey and Jason Cook once again take to the stage for a couple of hours of improvised fun. No plan, no structure just two of the hottest comedians in South Tyneside bouncing off each other and the audience.

You can download a free guide to the festival here…

If you are attending South Tyneside Comedy Festival and are looking for hotel accommodation near The Customs House, Mill Dam, South Shields our bed and breakfast best price and room availability is here Book Online.

Room information including photographs can be found on the Accommodation page of our website.

Last online booking received
Tuesday 16th June 2026, 13:27 BST
Country