The Sorry! Comedy Festival is taking over stages across London this week, showcasing both established Canadian comedians and emerging local talent.
The festival, which runs until Saturday, features more than two dozen events, from stand-up and sketch to improv.
It’s also home to a national comedy search that brings performers from across the country to compete for a chance to open for headliners.
Festival organizer Colin McDougall says the goal is to grow London’s reputation as a destination for comedy.
Colin McDougall – Owner/Operator of Sorry! Comedy Festival (Source: sorrycomedyfest.com/about)
“I strongly believe that there’s nothing stopping London, Ontario from being seen as a hub for comedy, in particular finding the newest rising star talent,” he said.
The event began as the London Comedy Festival but was rebranded last year to reflect a broader and more inclusive vision. Since then, it has grown rapidly, with this year’s edition quadrupling in size from its first.
McDougall says the festival combines art and community by bringing people together through laughter.
“It’s a real skill to consistently bring smiles to people’s faces through jokes and stories,” he said. “We see ourselves as facilitators of joy in the community.”
Among those performing is London-based comedian Lillianna Nauta, who is part of the “Funny Femmes” showcase at Honey Dip on Friday, Nov. 7.
Lillianna Nauta performing stand-up comedy. (Source: provided by Nauda)
Nada has been writing comedy for five years and performing for one. She says being on stage allows her to connect directly with audiences.
“What excites me the most about comedy is the ability to make people laugh,” she said. “It makes me happy and fulfilled as a comedian.”
Nada says her set often mixes self-deprecating humour, wordplay and stories from her upbringing in an immigrant family.
She hopes that shows like “Funny Femmes” will help challenge outdated assumptions about women in comedy.
“I would hope audiences take away that women can be equally as funny as men — if not funnier,” she said.
While she’s faced some sexism and a lack of female mentors in the local scene, Nauta says things are improving as more women take the stage.
“Comedy is on the rise,” she said. “The idea that women aren’t funny is being tested every day.”
The Sorry! Comedy Festival runs until Nov. 8, with events held at venues including Centennial Hall, The Aeolian, and Honey Dip.
You can buy tickets at the festivals website.
