Registration for Hastings Comedy Festival opens on October 31st 2024.

 

Registration fee is £60 per show.

This fee includes: programme entry, venue hire, poster print, added to online listings, management of Box office.

​There will also be a volunteer on hand at your venue.

 

Ticket Split 70% to act

(this is inclusive of VAT)

 

​Tickets prices will vary between £5 - £20

 

Register your interest to perform my completing and returning an application from the link above.

 

Please note that we have a finite number of shows and may not be able to allocate all applications. 

 

​

Key dates in the application process for 2025.

 

• 31st October - Application window is opened

• February 28th-  The application window closes 

• By mid/late December  - 1st round offers issued to successful applicants, Early Bird Box Office opens

• By mid/late February - 2nd round offers issued to successful applicants

• March 14th Programme Finalised

• June 9th - 15th Hastings Comedy Festival 2025

 

 

How the festival works: Applications, finances & venues

 

We accept applications for Tour shows, Fringe Previews, Work in progress shows and Multi handler shows from all  genres/styles of comedy and stand up performances 

 

 Shows with a running time of 1 hour. We are occasionally able to accept shows with 45 or 90-minute duration but the standard slot allocation is 60 minutes (or just under). Shows longer than 60 minutes will be up for consideration, further details would need be provided if your show is selected. 

​

Children’s/family friendly shows are welcome to apply, these usually take place over the Saturday daytime within the event week

 

 

Allocation and Venues

 

The Hastings Comedy Festival curates its own venues. If you decide to apply to take part, you will be asked in the application form to select your preferred venue size/capacity, our festival team will then match up a suitable offer for you to review taking into consideration number of members performing, running time, audience suitability, technical specification and your given date preferences. 

Our venues are available to see on our website to given you an idea of the space required.

If your show is accepted we will allocate you to a suitable venue based on the information you give in your application and our knowledge of the spaces.

 

We use a variety of venues ranging from fully equipped purpose built live performance spaces to underground cellars/function rooms with domestic spotlights. All the venues are within easy walking distance of each other within the town of Hastings and St Leonards. . 

The more you let us know about your show in the application form, the better we can help you find the right space. If you have absolute requirements it is important that you let us know so we can put you in an appropriate space.

​

Each venue will have a staff member/ volunteer who will be able to assist you in the running of your show, from assisting with any set up, and audio cues to helping with seating the audience members to your show, our comedy loving team are fantastic and are happy to help, if your show has a complex audio cue sheet this would need to be sent in ahead of time via email or ideally within the application so that we can offer the best solutions and festival experience and of course avoid any issues on the day.