THE Southend Comedy Festival will be opened by Westcliff comedian Russell Kane this year - and will be bigger and better thanks to Rossi Ice Cream.
The Echo can reveal the festival will run for four days, starting on Thursday July 18.
It will again be held at the new Cultural Centre at the end of Southend Pier.
Rossi director Colin Gray said: “Ice-cream, comedy and Southend Pier all go together. We want to put Southend on the map with an annual event.
“It’s something to be proud of.”
TV panel show regular Robert Beckett will also appear at the festival.
Organiser Lee Terrell, 48, a comedian from Gordon Street, Southend, said: “It’s going to be a massive thing for the town and it’s going to grow every year. We are so pleased.”
Russell Kane will appear on the first night, on which the Rossi sponsored contest for up-and-coming acts will also be held. The winner will bag an accolade known as a “Rossi”.
There will be matinee and evening shows on the Saturday and Sunday, which will close with a gala in aid of a local charity, which is yet to be confirmed.
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