In praise of...Belly Laughs Festival

Who’d have thought 20 years ago – word of the first ceasefire still echoing around the muralled walls – that Belfast would one day become a barrel of laughs.

What a pleasure, then, to see the city fast becoming a thriving centre for stand-up, thanks in no small part to its annual comedy arts festival, Belly Laughs.

It’s a mark of how far things have come that the new generation of comics have largely moved on from their fixation on the conflict as their only subject matter.

Set up three years ago to showcase local talent in a city known for its sharp (and dark) wit, the festival is going from strength to strength – along with the fortunes of Northern Irish comics.

An unprecedented number were represented at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. Of these, Paul Currie, Mickey Bartlett, Alan Irwin and Christian Talbot will be performing at Belly Laughs.

Other highlights include David McSavage, Eleanor Tiernan, Richard Herring, Paul Foot, Foil Arms & Hog, and "next big thing" Hal Cruttenden.

A quirky and diverse programme of 50 performances includes everything from theatre, cabaret, film and workshops to bus tours, laughter yoga and a Stars Wars murder mystery.

For now it still feels edgy, underground, up-and-coming – and it’s great value. Go before it gets slick and well-fed.

Belfast Belly Laughs runs from September 24th to October 5th; see bellylaughsbelfast.com