Three days of stand-up comedy shows, workshops and parties are coming up as the second edition of the Stantar Kkomety Festival returns. Taking over Heroes’ Square and Rialto Theatre on September 13-15, this edition is renewed with special shows for children and performances in English as the festival will this time welcome internationally renowned English-speaking comedians. Sticking true to its roots, however, the festival will still have a traditional Cypriot character by presenting local comedians performing in the local dialect.

The events will begin with an Open Mic content in the square hosted by Pavlos Pavlides on the first evening at 7pm, followed by the Stantar Kkomety show in English inside the theatre at 9pm. This will be the only English-speaking event of the festival, with Pedja Pajovic as the presenter and comedians Elena Gabrielle and Giorgos Kyriacou as the headliners. Peter Kypri and Alexis Poullitas will also perform. To mark the start of the festival, day one will conclude with an after-party outdoors with DJ Ariadne

Day two’s activities will begin earlier in the day with a stand-up comedy workshop at 2pm, followed by performances in Greek in the square by numerous comedians, an improv session and the Stantar Kkomety show again at 9pm, this time in Greek. Well-known names from the Cypriot comedy scene will take the stage here such as Champis Damianou, Marilena Zodiatou, Zacharias Zannetou as well as Elias Andreou, hosted by Constantinos Psillides. Another late-night after-party will bring together the comedians and the audience to drink, party and enjoy the rest of the evening with music from DJ Alejjios.

On Sunday, the final day of the festival, a special stand-up show for children by Kostas Pringipas will be presented at Sto Dromo bar at 11am (for ages six to ten), followed by a workshop for adults at 2pm at the same venue. Then at 6.15pm, the Underdogs will take over Heroes’ Square before the highly-anticipated Comedy Battle kicks off at Rialto at 8pm hosted by Louis Patsalides and his guests. At 10pm, the Raw Comedy performance will wrap up the festival welcoming even more comedians on stage.

2nd Stantar Kkomety Festival

Comedy festival with shows, battles and workshops for children and adults. September 13-15. Rialto Theatre, Heroes’ Square and Sto Dromo bar, Limassol. In Greek and English. Tickets: €12/10 (Festival Pass: €40). www.rialto.com.cy