Giving the ten day festival a truly international flavour are headline acts multi-Grammy-winning US musical comedy superstar ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, (3rd October, O2 Academy), whose career spans four decades, and Trevor Noah (10th October, Symphony Hall), the fast-rising South African talent who is taking over from John Stewart as host of the seminal Daily Show.

They’re joined by Irish comic Jason Bryne (3rd October, Town Hall), German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn (7th October, Town Hall), and US cult sensations Red Bas**** (2nd-3rd October, mac) and Doug Stanhope (7th October, O2 Academy).

There’s also appearances from Tom Stade (2nd October, Comedy Junction), Lee Nelson (3rd October, The Old Rep), Daniel Sloss (8th October, The Glee Club), Andrew Maxwell (9th October, The Glee Club), Iain Lee (10th October, mac), Chris Ramsey (11th October, The Old Rep) and The Noise Next Door (5th October, Comedy Junction).

Theatre productions include the world premiere of Meera Syal’s semi-autobiographical coming of age tale, Anita And Me (9th-24ht October, Birmingham Rep), while Tangram Theatre conclude their science trilogy with musical comedies dedicated to theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (11th October, mac) and Nobel Prize winning Marie Currie (9th-10th October, Old Joint Stock).

The festival is officially launched with the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award (2nd October, The Glee Club). After an electric sell-out show last year, the night promises a line-up of emerging acts from across the region who’ll vie for the coveted title.

Look out too for a special free Half-Dayer on Sunday 4th October, as various acts perform their one hour shows at two city centre venues: Cherry Reds and The Victoria. Among those taking part are Andy White, Gareth Berliner, topical podcasters the News With Jokes team, Hannah Silverster and Masi Graham. The Half-Dayer is one of several one-off events showcasing West Midlands’ talent.

A spokesperson for the festival said: “There’ll be around 100 comedians and performers taking part in shows right across the city, from well-established acts to hotly tipped newcomers. We’re especially pleased to welcome so many international names this year.

“We’re also extremely excited by the return of our Breaking Talent Award, and the many shows that feature the cream of the West Midlands’ comedy scene.”