Fredericton, New Brunswick is poised to become a surprising new hub for comedy with the launch of the inaugural Frediculous Comedy Festival, running from to . The festival, organized by the Comic Sutra Comedy Club, aims to showcase the depth of comedic talent within the province, a scene its organizers believe is among the best in Canada.
The festival will feature a robust lineup of 65 New Brunswick comedians performing across 20 shows at five venues throughout Fredericton’s Northside. This concentrated effort to highlight local artists sets Frediculous apart, according to those involved. “Some festivals are based here but don’t book many actual New Brunswickers,” explained Kelly Lamrock, the “chief comedy officer” of Comic Sutra, in comments reported by the Telegraph-Journal. “We believe that New Brunswick has the best comedy scene in Canada and we are coming to prove it!”
The Comic Sutra itself, which opened in 2024, was established specifically to provide a dedicated space for local comedic voices. The festival is a natural extension of that mission, offering a larger platform to amplify the reach of New Brunswick’s performers. The festival’s focus on homegrown talent is a deliberate counterpoint to larger comedy festivals that often rely on nationally or internationally recognized headliners.
While the festival is deeply rooted in local talent, it isn’t lacking in established names. British-Canadian comedian James Mullinger will serve as the main headliner, hosting shows on and at the Comic Sutra on Main Street. Other headliners include Shane Ogden, Brad Rice, Maggie Estey, Michelle Petite, Brian Giles, John Skov-Nielson, and, of course, Kelly Lamrock himself.
The announcement of the Frediculous Comedy Festival comes at a time when live entertainment is rebounding after the challenges of the past few years. The appetite for comedy, in particular, appears strong. As reported by CBC, Colleen Kitts-Goguen spoke with Kelly Lamrock about the “appetite for comedy in the capital,” suggesting a pre-existing demand for this type of event in Fredericton.
The festival’s organizers are betting that this demand, combined with the quality of the local talent, will make Frediculous a success. The choice of six venues, rather than consolidating shows into fewer locations, suggests an intention to create a festival atmosphere that permeates the Northside of Fredericton. The variety of venues will likely offer different experiences for audiences, ranging from the intimate setting of the Comic Sutra to potentially larger spaces capable of accommodating bigger crowds.
The emphasis on New Brunswick comedians also speaks to a broader trend of regionalism in comedy. While major markets like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver continue to attract significant attention, there’s a growing recognition of the vibrant comedy scenes developing in smaller cities, and provinces. Festivals like Frediculous play a crucial role in nurturing these scenes and providing opportunities for emerging artists to gain exposure.
The festival’s website, comicsutra.ca, provides the full schedule and ticket information. The fact that the festival is being organized by an existing comedy club – Comic Sutra – suggests a level of infrastructure and experience that could contribute to its smooth operation. The club’s established presence in Fredericton also provides a built-in audience and a network of contacts within the local comedy community.
The Frediculous Comedy Festival represents more than just a week of laughs. it’s a statement about the strength and potential of New Brunswick’s comedy scene. By prioritizing local talent and creating a dedicated platform for their work, the festival aims to establish Fredericton as a destination for comedy lovers and a breeding ground for future stars. The festival’s success could also serve as a model for other regions looking to cultivate their own unique comedic voices.
With 60 comedians scheduled to perform, the festival promises a diverse range of comedic styles and perspectives. The organizers’ claim that New Brunswick boasts the “best comedy scene in Canada” is a bold one, but the Frediculous Comedy Festival is clearly designed to put that claim to the test. The coming weeks will reveal whether Fredericton can indeed deliver a week of laughter that lives up to the hype.
