Den of hilarity and mayhem at HowTheLightGetsIn with impressive comic line-up

Last year’s comedy programme was the highlight of a five-star review in The Independent, winning HTLGI praise for big names and alternative offerings alike. This year, HTLGI announces its most spectacular programme ever – standout comedians promise boundary-crossing comedy performances, with rising stars alongside established favourites.

Leading the bill is star of Netflix, Dave’s Taskmaster and Live At The Apollo Phil Wang, one of the UK’s most exciting stand-up comedians who brings his unique stage presence to HowTheLightGetsIn. His internationally-acclaimed live shows have propelled him to appearances on Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie To You?, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and The Great British Bake Off.

Relaxed and wry – yet filled with brilliantly sly, acerbic punchlines – he’s also the creator of his own Radio 4 series, Wangsplaining. “Hugely entertaining... a properly funny stand-up comic.” (The Times)

Also featured is Lou Sanders, whose star continues to soar after garnering rave reviews for her show “Shame Pig” – voted Best Show at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe by her fellow comedians – and appearances on Dave’s Hypothetical, coupled with being a regular contestant on the latest series of Taskmaster. Brilliantly bonkers, her comedy is a blend of the surreal, punchy and innovative – expect an eclectic mix of shocking confessions, eyebrow-raising anecdotes and improvisational gold.

Celebrated British comedian and festival favourite Ahir Shah returns to HowTheLightGetsIn with two nominations for Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards under his belt. Ahir's current show, Duffer, debuted at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe, where it enjoyed a critically acclaimed sell-out run and earned Shah his second Best Show nomination in a row.

There’s also Tony Law, the surrealist stand-up who has previously been nominated for Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, and appeared on Have I Got News For You, Russell Howard’s Good News and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

A fellow nominee for Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards is Glen Moore, critically acclaimed joke machine and regular presenter on Absolute Radio. Glen is an in-demand writer for TV and Radio who has appeared on Mock the Week, and his 2018 show at the Edinburgh Fringe earned praise from The Guardian as “the best showcase of pure joke-writing skill on the fringe…blissfully silly, expertly stitched together – you could assemble a killer top 10 jokes of the fringe from these 60 minutes alone.”

Also on the line-up are Heidi Regan, winner of the 2017 BBC New Comedy Award and So You Think You’re Funny, Robyn Perkins, English Comedian of the Year Finalist; co-host of The Guilty Feminist, and star of BBC's Motherland Jess Fosteskew; charismatic and fiercely intelligent Olga Koch, whose 2018 debut show ‘Fight’ was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards; rising star of the British comedy scene Alex Kealy; smart, dark stand-up from Micky Overman, nominated for Chortle’s Best Newcomer; Laura Lexx, infectious, upbeat, and "one of the most delightful performers you're ever likely to see" (GQ); comedian, writer and actor Brett Goldstein, fresh from appearances on Ricky Gervais’ Derek and Doctor Who; star of Radio 4’s News Quiz Eleanor Tiernan, “storyteller par excellence" (Time Out, London); Huge Davies, coming to HowTheLightGetsIn after appearances on Comedy Central and at The Comedy Store; Garrett Millerick; Stuart Laws; Sarah Bennetto; Ben van der Velde and more

“As night begins to fall, HowTheLightGetsIn turns from a hub of intellectual activity into a den of hilarity and mayhem," says festival director Hilary Lawson. "But of course the jokes are smart too. With an indecently funny comedy line-up, we’re incredibly excited that this year’s festival promises Edinburgh headliners rubbing shoulders with some of the best up-and-coming talent on the UK comedy circuit.”

For full programme details and to book, visit howthelightgetsin.org