Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2024

Get ready for an evening of laughter with comedian Jenny Eclair, as she tells the story of how she elbowed her way into the male-dominated world of 1980s stand-up. Born little Jenny Hargreaves to Major Derek Hargreaves (maybe a spy, maybe not) and June Hargreaves, Eclair went on to become one of the UK’s most successful comedians. She shares tales of drama school, punk poetry and not really having a clue about anything, and gives an insight into the changing face of women in comedy. Whether she’s discussing the frivolous or the serious, Eclair does so with a sharp insight and, of course, a big helping of humour.

Eclair was the first woman to win the UK’s top comedy award, the Perrier Award. Since then, she has taken multiple shows on tour around the country, most recently Sixty! (FFS) which was extended twice due to its popularity. Eclair is also an actress, and is known for her starring role on BBC1’s Grumpy Old Women, which ran for three series and was then adapted into four live shows touring across the UK and Australia, all of which she co-wrote and starred in. She is the co-host of the Older and Wider podcast, and the critically acclaimed author of seven novels, a collection of short stories and a number of non-fiction books. Her latest book is Jokes, Jokes, Jokes: My Very Funny Memoir.

Pet-obsessed comedian, presenter and chart-topping podcast host Russell Kane presents a high-energy children’s comedy show about his favourite thing: ANIMALS!

Based on his hilarious new children's animal guide Pet Selector!, there will be jokes, props, pets and an animal-matching-game that answers important questions on family animal-care. Both funny and full of facts, Kane’s show will stretch kids’ imaginations. The idea for Pet Selector! was born out of a conversation with Kane’s daughters about animal-care and picking their next pet.

Kane is an award-winning comedian, presenter, podcast host, writer, author, animal-lover and multiple-pet-owner. As well as his sold-out comedy tours and frequent TV work, Kane’s BBC Sounds podcast Evil Genius has quickly become a flagship show. He published a novel as well as a memoir about his dad called Son of a Silverback.

High-octane and thrilling, join Russell Kane for a night of side-clutchingly hilarious comedy as he presents his new show HyperActive. Kane is an award-winning comedian, presenter, podcast host, writer, author, animal-lover and multiple-pet-owner. As well as his sold-out comedy tours and frequent TV work, Kane’s BBC Sounds podcast Evil Genius has quickly become a flagship show. He published a novel as well as a memoir about his dad called Son of a Silverback.