(Alternative) History of Hull Comedy Festival

339 BC

The birth of alternative comedy as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle perform the infamous Dead Parrot sketch. Tragically, the execution of Socrates causes the comedy troupe to dissolve just 10-days before the tour is scheduled to perform in Hull.

1590 AD

Modern comedy is invented when Trevor Shakespeare of Hessle Road, Hull makes a satirical comment about the sexuality of William III. Around this time Trevor’s son began forging a career as a successful poet and playwright

1985 AD

Only Fools and Horses’ Christmas Special “To Hull and Back” is aired.
The show’s influence would be confirmed in later years as “Del Boy falling through the bar” is voted UK’s 7th Greatest Television Moment of all time beating the likes of JFK's assassination, the Queen's coronation and Winston Churchill's funeral.

1999 AD

A sad day for comedy as Rod Hull falls attempting to adjust the TV aerial in order to get a better picture of the Inter Milan v Manchester United Champions League quarter final, 2nd leg.
United would go on to win a historic treble in his honour. Hull would never be the same again.

2006 AD

A bunch of people are brought in a room and given a PowerPoint presentation describing a quirky idea to bring a comedy festival to Hull.

2007 AD

Hull’s first comedy festival is hailed a success with headliners Russell Howard, Stewart Lee, Frank Sidebottom and Justin Moorhouse selling out their shows.

2008 AD

Hull’s second comedy festival becomes Hull and the East Riding’s largest ticketed festival. As well as a Festival Anthem and Green Helmet Day the festival features sell out shows from Frankie Boyle, Paddy McGuinness, Jason Manford, Russell Howard, Jeremy Hardy and Keith Chegwin

2009 AD

Hull's third comedy festival is heralded the best yet, with strong audiences sizes for local clubs and special events. Headliner Al Murray the Pub Landlord storms Hull City Hall.