Fancy a good laugh? New West Berks comedy festival launch this summer
Fancy a laugh?
A new comedy festival will be launched in West Berks this summer.
Running from July 17-26, the festival will take place across several venues in Thatcham, Newbury and Hungerford.
It is being organised by Graeme Coulam, who heads up Thatcham Comedy Club and Hungerford Comedy Club.
Acts coming to the area include Paul Kerensa (writer for ‘Not Going Out’ and Miranda), Samantha Day (Leicester Comedy Festival award winner), Nik Hill (Leicester Comedy Festival award winner), US actor/comedian Mike Capozzola, Aussie comic Michael Shafar and the President of Lafta Republic, President Obonjo….
Venues will include community venues across the region such as ACE Space in Newbury, Thatcham Rugby Club, Hungerford Football Club, St Nicolas Church and Falkland Cricket Club. Several local and national charities will be the main beneficiaries of any ticket-sale profits on selected events.
The festival aims to bring affordable events to the region, with many of the shows offering a ‘pay what you want’ ticket price, and most shows under £10 (though some shows can be bought together on the same night).
Many of the acts are bringing shows that are already on tour or in preparation for the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
“The regular comedy nights in Thatcham and Hungerford are very popular and the aim of the festival is to bring more joy to more people, in more venues,” says Graeme. “We are bringing over a few acts that have already been a huge hit with our Thatcham and Hungerford audiences, as well as some that they may not have seen before, but I know they will enjoy. Of course, this event isn’t only for those who know us already. There is enough variety in these shows for there to be something for everyone.”
Tickets are available from the festival website at www.wbcf.uk and unlike most ticketing options, there is no booking fee charge with any ticket. You only pay the price of the ticket and nothing on top.
The full schedule is as follows:
Thursday July 17 - Thatcham Rugby Club. 7.30pm
Accident Avoidance Training for Cutlery Users: Advanced & Improvers - Ian Crawford (£8)
Thursday July 17 - Thatcham Rugby Club. 8.30pm
Dinner with the President - President Obonjo (£8)
Friday July 18 - Hungerford Football Club. 7.30pm
Charmarama - Charmian Hughes (Pay what you want, but £1 now reserves your seat)
Friday July 18 - Hungerford Football Club. 9pm
The Great British Menu (of petty complaints) - Samantha Day (£9 / £5 concessions)
Saturday July 19 - Ace Space, Newbury. 7.30pm
Inappropriate - Michael Shafar (Pay what you want, but £1 now reserves your seat)
Saturday July 19 - Ace Space, Newbury 9pm
Bedtime stories for children over 18 - Graeme Coulam (Pay what you want, but £1 now reserves your seat)
Monday July 21 - Falkland Cricket Club, Newbury. 7.30pm
How long have I got? - Nik Hill (Pay what you want, but £1 now reserves your seat)
Monday July 21 - Falkland Cricket Club, Newbury. 8.15pm
Half soaked - Lovdev Barpaga (Pay what you want, but £1 now reserves your seat)
Tuesday July 22 - Hungerford Hub. 7.30pm
The world's oldest man - Sam Michael (£5)
Thursday July 24 - St Nicolas Church Hall, Newbury. 7.30pm
The BBC & Me, Then & Now - Paul Kerensa (£10)
Friday July 25 - Frank Hutchings Centre, Thatcham. 7.30pm
Dan Collins & Alexis Coward (pay what you want but £1 secures your seat)
Friday July 25 - Frank Hutchings Centre, Thatcham. 8.15pm
Did you watch that reel I sent you? - Tom Glover (£12)
Saturday July 26 - Croft Hall, Hungerford 4.30pm
Anyone for tennis - Pauline Eyre (£8)
Saturday July 26 - Croft Hall, Hungerford 6.00pm
May you be with the farce - Mike Capozzola (£5)
Saturday July 26 - Croft Hall, Hungerford 8.00pm
Van der Laugh Generator - Ben Van der Velde (£10)
Saturday July 26 - Croft Hall, Hungerford 9.30pm
Bedtime stories for children over 18 - Graeme Coulam (£4)
