Laugh yourself out of lockdown with the county’s biggest comedy evening of the year.

The annual Oxfordshire Mind comedy festival will this year be livestreamed from the North Wall Arts Centre and has a star-studded line-up including wit and raconteur Stephen Fry and stand-up and presenter Nish Kumar.

Normally held at the Oxford Playhouse, the Jericho Comedy Club event is in its fourth year and has so far raised over £70,000 to support local mental health services.

The show, online on Saturday night from 7.30pm, will open with an exclusive video from Mind UK president Fry.

That will be followed by performances from comedians Rosie Jones, Helen Bauer, Huge Davies, Janine Harouni, Chelsea Birkby and Ivo Graham as well as Kumar.

Mr Kumar is best-known as host of BBC2’s Mash Report and appearances on a host of comedy shows including Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Taskmaster.

Rosie Jones can currently be seen on Channel 4’s Trip Hazard, exploring staycation spots with a celebrity guest. She has written for and appeared on multiple panel shows such as Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule, Would I Lie to You? and The Last Leg. She incorporates her cerebral palsy into her comedy style.

Meanwhile apologetic Eton and Oxford alumnus Ivo Graham was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny award for new acts at the Edinburgh Fringe.

He has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, Comedy Central At The Comedy Store and As Yet Untitled. He is also busy developing his own sitcom for the BBC.

Oxfordshire Mind gala regular, Chelsea Birkby talks frankly and funnily about mental health and was headhunted to become an Oxfordshire Mind trustee after her appearance at the first gala.

She "talked frankly about mental illness" , said The Oxford Times, and "cheeky adult humour" said the Oxford Mail. She can be seen regularly at Jericho Comedy.

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The MC will be Alex Farrow, the resident host of the club's Saturday night shows, helping it win the 2019 and 2020 Chortle Award for the best comedy night in the region.

During the pandemic Jericho Comedy have staged more drive-in shows than any other comedy club in England as well as performing on boats floating on the river Cherwell, earning rave reviews for top socially distanced nights out.

Dan Knowles, CEO of Oxfordshire Mind, said: “The past year has been challenging for us all. The Comedy Gala is a brilliant way to support our work and laugh in the name of better mental health!”

The show will be streamed via Next Up comedy. Tickets cost £10; £11 for the Zoom front row. Go to Oxfordshire Mind’s Eventbrite page; Next Up’s website; events@jerichocomedy.com or call 07747 866653.