COMEDY is coming to Chesham in a five day long festival, and the line up includes established names, new performers, and even a cello named Joe.

The new Chesham Comedy Festival has normally been held in Little Missenden, but now organiser Annie Hamilton Pike has taken her renamed baby to The Elgiva.

She says: "The main reason was capacity, but we wanted to attract some bigger names, and hopefully some bigger audiences."

The first festival in Little Missenden Village Hall attracted top comedian Rainer Hirsch, who will be returning this year, and co organiser John Griffiths says: "We are amazed at how we can attract so many star turns to a small venue in the middle of Buckinghamshire."

Rainer's show - All Classical Music Explained - combines his comedic and musical ability in a very funny show. Also returning to the festival is Jo Caulfield, a regular on television shows including Have I Got News For You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. She performed at the second festival. Annie laughs: "We have been trying to get her back ever since."

Carrying on the female theme are double act Sandi Toksvig and Bonnie Langford in Short and Curly.

Annie says: "We are delighted that they are performing with us."

Trippplicate are making their festival debut, with Time Trippers and the three friends - Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Katie Lyons and Verity Woolnough - who met at Goldsmiths College are looking forward to it.

"There is a really eclectic mix," Katie, who appeared on Channel 4's Green Wing, says. "There is such a variety for such a short space of time."

And Rebecca Carrington stars in Many Ways to Play Your Lover, her lover being a cello named Joe.

Also at the festival is Michael McIntyre, a stand up who sold out his performance on the Edinburgh Fringe last year, Count Arthur Strong is an expert in everything, and Kit and the Widow are a well established double act with a piano.

Co organiser John Griffiths says: "We wanted our own version of Edinburgh. All the people we have performing have either been to Edinburgh or will be appearing there."

The Chesham Comedy Festival runs from Wednesday, May 30 to Sunday, June 3. All performances take place at The Elgiva. For more details on performance dates and times,telephone 01494 582900.