By STACEY MULLEN

A COMEDY organisation is urging local community groups to get in touch to attend one of their shows – and have a laugh on them for free.

Laldy Comedy in Dennistoun has an initiative to give free tickets to community groups in the Glasgow area but no one is taking them up on their offer.

Chrissy Ross, who is behind the venture, has been attracting some big names from the comedy circuit to the shows in the Craigpark Masters – and he believes more of the community will come along if they know it is happening.

He said: “Laldy Comedy do everything from podcasts to new material nights to professional shows and Fringe previews.

“We make sure at least up to 25 per cent of our tickets goes to local charities in the area but we are not getting enough people applying for the free tickets.

“There must be loads of groups in the area that are just not aware of it.

“We have given the majority of them to the local Gingerbread which is an after school care. But we want more groups to come forward.”

With names such as Fern Brady and Mark Nelson on the roaster for the rest of the year, Laldy Comedy is helping to create a thriving comedy scene to rival Glasgow’s West End venue The Stand.

Chrissy said: “We have had comedians from across the UK. What we try and do, however, is we give a platform for the best up and coming new Scottish acts, We will always have that local flavour to it.

“The vast majority of the acts who have performed at our gigs are now going on to regular work in the paid circuit.

“It’s very much a comedy revolution because we are giving acts their first opportunity to get on stage and try out stuff.

“It is also their first opportunity to get paid work and progress.

He added: “When people come to our gigs they tend to come back. There is nothing better than seeing live comedy.

“The shows we run are cheap we put a cap of £10 on. The new material nights are completely free of charge and you even get free food.

“Not only do you get the cheapest night for a comedy event but you get line-ups which are quality. Our comedians are very well respected in the circuit and in the industry.”

The next show by the organisation on Sunday will be a Fringe preview featuring BBC Scot Squad actors and stand ups Darren Connell, Chris Forbes and top political satirist award winning Mark Nelson.

Tickets for the show are £5 and for more visit www.laldycomedy.com