Acts announced for new show to open Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival

Taking place on Wednesday 9 July, a day earlier than in previous years, St Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury town centre, will host the event. The announcement follows the recent gala show launch.

Mick Miller first came to prominence on the iconic ITV show The Comedians along with great British TV favourites Roy Walker and Stan Boardman. In the 1980s Mick co-hosted his own Saturday evening show on ITV called The Funny Side along with Cheryl Baker and the late Mike Smith.

Since then, he has been in constant demand on the theatre circuit, working throughout the UK and in global venues. Mick continues to be a favourite on cruises and used his comedy talent and timing to land several acting roles. He has appeared in IDEAL with Johnny Vegas, and Peter Kay's Car Share. He fulfilled a lifetime ambition to work in Las Vegas when he was chosen to be part of the major ITV series Last Laugh in Vegas.

Nina Gilligan trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland). She is sometimes outrageous, but always hilarious with a charming, loveable persona which belies an acerbic wit.

She is a skilled writer, creator and improviser and has written several comedy shows and plays including Rescued, nominated for Best Comedy at Greater Manchester Fringe and Broad Shoulders, which received five-star reviews at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival.

Described by The Skinny as ‘A bolshier Mrs Merton she’s not one to suffer fools lightly so watch out for a razor-sharp wit used at will’, she was recently acknowledged as 2023’s Best Act at both the Chortle and North West Comedy Awards and 2021 saw her crowned as the winner of the prestigious Leicester Mercury Award and Best Act at the Yorkshire Comedy Awards 2023.

Commenting on the event, SICF co director Beth McGowan said: “Our aim has always been to grow the festival in a sustainable manner, and this is a good starting point. We are looking forward to Mick and Nina’s performances and especially at a new venue for us in St Mary’s Church.”

Tickets for the Mick Miller and Nina Gilligan show at St Mary’s Church, Wednesday 9 July are £22.00 (including booking fee) and available through the Theatre Severn box office.