REMEMBER the name Omid Djalili?

In a case of dj vu from last year, the comic with film credits in The Calcium Kid, Gladiator and The Mummy has agreed to open this summer's York Comedy Festival.

However, the organisers will be hoping for a different outcome this time. Last June, Omid withdrew from his headline appearance at the Grand Opera House, thanks to motion sickness from all his international travels.

This year, he will launch the second York Comedy Festival into orbit on June 5, again at the Opera House, at the outset of a week-long showcase of established comedians and hot new talent.

Run by Stone Soup promoters Tom Sharp and Andy Milson and The Other Side Comedy Club's Dan Atkinson with the aid of 30 volunteers, the event incorporates live stand-up, talent competitions, classic comedy films and street theatre.

Highlights include JORVIK Lite, a challenge for new comedians to squeeze 1,000 years of Jorvik history into ten minutes; veteran Ken Dodd, bright spark Dave Spikey; Priorite a Gauche at The Other Side; the nightly National Talent Hunt; and Edinburgh Fringe Perrier award nominees Flight of the Conchords.

Throughout the festival, York city centre will host some of Britain's premier comedy street performers in an outdoor programme made possible by funding from the Arts Council England, Yorkshire and the City of York Council.

Diverse locations throughout the city will be put to use, ranging from St Sampson's Square to Monks Cross Shopping Park, Huntington; City Screen, York, to The Independent, Haxby Road; the National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, to Marzano pizzeria, Lendal; York Racecourse, Knavesmire, to the Archaeological Resource Centre in St Saviourgate.

Festival spokesman Tom Sharp says: "We're really excited. Although we're only in our second year, we've been overwhelmed by interest in the festival and the support we've received. We're aiming to make the most of York, see the best comedians and generally have a good time."

For more information, visit www.yorkcomedy.com or call 01904 652101. Tickets for all shows will be on sale soon.

FULL FESTIVAL LINE UP

Saturday June 5

Omid Djalili, Behind Enemy Lines, Grand Opera House, 7.30pm.

The Walk with Howard Spencer Mosely & Richard Massara from West end of Minster, 7pm.

This Is Spinal Tap, film, City Screen, 11.30pm.

Street Theatre, St Sampson's Square, throughout day, free.

June 6

Punch and Judy, Monks Cross Shopping Park, Huntington, from: 12 noon, 1pm 2pm, free.

The Great Dictator, film, City Screen, 1pm.

The Walk with Howard Spencer Mosely & Richard Massara,7pm.

Ken Dodd, Grand Opera House, 7.30pm.

Adrian Spendlow, James Christie & Wendy Woodford, City Screen, 8pm.

Street Theatre, St Sampson's Square, throughout day.

June 7

National Talent Hunt with Alexis Dubus, Harkers, 7.30pm.

Street Theatre, St Sampson's Square.

June 8

National Talent Hunt with Anthony J Brown, Harkers, 7.30pm.

The Other Side Comedy Club, Nick Revell & Rhod Gilbert, City Screen, 7.30pm.

Christian Reilly, Dan Willis, plus support, Old White Swan, Goodramgate, 9pm, free.

Kevin McCarthy, Ronnie Edwards and Jo Jo Smith, Orgasmic Caf, Coney Street, 7.30pm.

JORVIK Lite, with Electric Forecast, Friargate Theatre, Lower Friargate, 7.30pm.

The Great Dictator, City Screen, 6.30pm.

Street Theatre, St Sampson's Square.

June 9

The Other Side, Andy Parsons & Adam Bloom, City Screen,7.30pm.

National Talent Hunt with Dan Atkinson, Harkers, 7.30pm.

Flight Of The Conchords & Glenn Wool, Marzano, 8pm.

Big Ian's Quiz, Old White Swan, 9.30pm.

The Walk with Howard Spencer Mosely & Richard Massara, 7pm.

Street Theatre, St Sampson's Square.

June 10

The Great Dictator, City Screen, 1pm.

The Other Side, Chris Addison & Natalie Haynes, City Screen, 7.30pm.

National Talent Hunt with Geoff Whiting, Harkers, 7.30pm.

Dr Andrew Jones, lecture on Viking Poo, Archaeological Resource Centre, 6.45pm.

Galaxy 105 with Mike Wilkinson, Danny Oakes & Bill Woolland, Slug and Lettuce, Back Swinegate, 8pm.

Street Theatre, St Sampson's Square.

The Walk with Howard Spencer Mosely & Richard Massara,7pm.

June 11

The Other Side, Priorite a Gauche & Andy Zaltzman, plus John Oliver, City Screen,7.30pm.

Dave Spikey stars in Phoenix Nights, Grand Opera House, 7.30pm.

National Talent Hunt with Bill Woolland, Harkers, 7.30pm.

Pinter: The Revue Sketches, Wentworth College, University of York, 7.30pm, free.

Street Theatre, St Sampson's Square.

The Walk with Howard Spencer Mosely & Richard Massara, 7pm.

June 12

Steve Faulkner & Maynard Flip Flap, National Railway Museum, from 11am, free.

Comedy at The Races, York Racecourse, 11.15am, free to racegoers.

Street Entertainment, Coppergate Centre, from noon, free.

National Talent Hunt Final, with compere Donna McPhail, Harkers, 7.30pm.

Pinter: The Revue Sketches, Wentworth College, 7.30pm.

Duncan Oakley, Geoff Whiting, Ayesha Hazarika, The Independent, Haxby Road, 7.30pm.

Starsky And Hutch, film, City Screen, 11.30pm.

Street Theatre, St Sampson's Square.

Updated: 09:39 Friday, May 07, 2004