There's Something Funny HAppening In NottingHAm- The Nottingham Comedy Festival 2011

Nottingham, hold onto your sides because they're in danger of splitting when the fabulous and fantastic feast of fun the Nottingham Comedy Festival hits the town from September 23rd to October 1st.

All kinds of comedy events, from stand-up and improvisation to plays, workshops, musical comedy and films will be happening in venues all around the city including The Glee Club, Jongleurs, The Royal Centre and Nottingham Playhouse, and here are our Nottingham Confidential Top Five Recommendations for the festival:

1. ISY SUTTIE After catching her show at Nottingham's Just The Tonic earlier this year, we can confidently and confidentially recommend Isy Suttie's live act. She's a stand-up, story-telling, guitar-strumming troubadour, she's from just down the road in Matlock and most importantly of all she's FUNNY. October 1st at Bunkers Hill courtesy of Magners Funhouse Comedy tickets £7 You can read our Nottingham Confidential interview with Isy Suttie here

2. SHAZIA MIRZA We're bigging up the girls this year with the world's premier Muslim stand-up Shazia Mirza who will be performing at Bunkers Hill on September 24th tickets £7

3. FREE LAUGHTER SESSION Apparently one hundred laughs equals ten minutes on the rowing machine so get your full laugh-exercise quota at this one hour session that mixes comedy improvisation games with laughter yoga September 25th at The Canalhouse

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre

4. IMPROVISATION COMEDY WORKSHOPS If you've always fancied having a try at Whose Line Is It Anyway, you can have a go at this beginners workshop at The Lord Roberts September 24th £3 in advance.

5.SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE Bringing a new show of of 'songs, sketches and violence', what's not to like about Scottish singing socks? Part of the Bunkers Hill All Dayer September 25th £7 (full day) £5 (half day)

Full details of all the events in the Nottingham Comedy Festival including times, dates and ticket prices can be found on the official website http://www.nottscomedyfestival.co.uk