Mid-Wales is becoming something of an epicentre of standup comedy. Now in its sixth year, the Aberystwyth Comedy Festival – a spinoff from its bigger sibling over in Machynlleth – brings four back-to-back days of comedy to venues across this charming seafront town. Julia Bottoms whittles the action down to five.
Ed Gamble: Hot Diggity Dog

Off Menu foodie podcaster Ed Gamble cooks up a serving of self-deprecating comedy gold in his touring show Hot Diggity Dog. For starters, there will be Gamble’s signature dish of manchild comedy, followed by a portion of playful sarcasm, served with a side of classic “ranting, raving and spluttering”. The 70-minute show centres on anecdotes of newlywed life, from awkward neighbourhood Whatsapp mishaps to defending his fat-shamed cat by reciting Lizzo lyrics to the vet.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Sat 5 Oct, 7.30pm. Tickets: £26.50. Info: here
Frank Skinner: 30 Years Of Dirt

Comic legend Frank Skinner kicks off the festival on Thursday night with his latest touring show, 30 Years Of Dirt. Commemorating three decades of his career, the Black Country standup veteran brings characteristically razor-sharp wit blended with clever, pithy and cheeky jokes for an evening of what the Guardian praises as ‘a celebration of gentlemanly smut’.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Thurs 3 Oct, 7.30pm. Tickets: £29.50. Info: here
Milton Jones: Ha!Milton

Love musicals? This one’s not for you, as Milton Jones is abundantly clear that “this is not a musical”. The Mock The Week star chronicles his relationship with music throughout his life, mixing new material with classic jokes in a cascade of rapid-fire one-liners guaranteed to leave you in stitches. Indeed, Ha!Milton comes following Jones’ previous comedy hit Milton Impossible, if you like that kind of characteristically punny thing.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Fri 4 Oct, 7.45pm. Tickets: £34. Info: here
Shaparak Khorsandi: Scatterbrain

This much-loved comedian, known from Live At The Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow takes us back through the rollercoaster of her life shaped by undiagnosed ADHD, based on her memoir published last year. Expect calamitous cognitive chaos, as this self-proclaimed scatterbrained standup takes the crowd on a heartbreaking and hilarious journey of self-discovery.
Commodore Cinema, Sat 5 Oct, 4.15pm. Tickets: £18.50. Info: here
Simon Amstell: work in progress

Rounding off the festival weekend in The Great Hall at Aberystwyth Arts Centre is Simon Amstell, of Popworld and Never Mind The Buzzcocks infamy. Known for his neurotic comic style and quirky quips, the comedic confessional specialist will be doing a work-in-progress style set for a possible forthcoming show.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Sun 6 Oct, 6.30pm. Tickets: £16.50. Info: here
Aberystwyth Comedy Festival, various venues, Aberystwyth, Thurs 3-Sun 6 Oct.
Tickets: priced per event. Info: abercomedyfest.co.uk
words JULIA BOTTOMS