Madrid International Comedy Festival kicks off with Reginald D. Hunter

Spurred on by the success of their sell-out Eddie Izzard shows earlier this year, the ComedyinSpain promoters are back this fall, with the first ever Madrid International Comedy Festival.

The event will run from September 27 to October 24, and will bring a number of English-language stand-up acts to a variety of venues in the Spanish capital, starting with a visit from one of the UK’s best-known performers, Reginald D. Hunter.

Originally from the US state of Georgia, Hunter has been based in the UK since the mid-1990s, and is a familiar face on the stand-up circuit as well as on panel shows such as long-running current affairs quiz program Have I Got News for You and comedy showcase Live at the Apollo.

Often in trouble for his liberal use of the “N” word, Hunter is not one to shy away from controversy

Often in trouble for his liberal use of the “N” word, Hunter is not one to shy away from controversy, and has in fact dubbed his European tour “A Nigga Runs Through It.” A lot of laughs – and no doubt a few shocking moments – are guaranteed at Sunday’s Madrid gig.

In the wake of the Scottish “no” vote, Janey Godley will visit the Spanish capital on October 24, giving her take on the independence drive and its result. As an avid “yes” campaigner, the award-winning comedian will have plenty to say.

The Madrid International Comedy Festival officially gets underway with a “comedy picnic” in Madrid’s Retiro park at 2pm on Saturday, while a series of events as part of the Madrid’s Funniest Ficer section will give the public a chance to try their hand at grabbing the mic and getting up on stage themselves. The 2013 winner, Archie Bezos, is representing Spain in the global “World’s Funniest Person” competition, organized by US comedy club The Laugh Factory.

Reginald D. Hunter. Sunday September 28 at Teatro Alfil, C/ Pez 10, Madrid. Click here for tickets and more information about the Madrid International Comedy Festival.