Bath Comedy Festival 2014
Bath Comedy Festival 2014 ran from Friday 28th March to Sunday 6th April. The sixth year of the festival built on the success of the first five years with the best line-up yet!
Read a short report from Festival Director Nick Steel - click here.
Next year's dates will be Friday 27th March - Monday 6th April 2015.
The Festival isn't just a one-off event in the Spring - we present shows throughout the year too.
Check back here to see what we've got going on later in the year.
Widcombe Nights - Comedy Special
Wed 26th November - Upstairs at the Ring O Bells.
SOLD OUT
A triumphant return to one of Bath Comedy's favourite rooms, newly refurbished and now with air conditioning!
Starring a trio of great comedians: Neil McFarlane, Stephanie Laing and Dave Williams.
For full details and online booking click here.
Jeremy Hardy
Fri 5th December at St Margaret's Hall, Bradford on Avon.
SOLD OUT
Bath Comedy Festival is branching out to Bradford on Avon's fabulous newly refurbished flagship venue later this year, to bring back by popular request one of Radio 4's finest stars Jeremy Hardy, as heard on the News Quiz, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue and Jeremy Hardy Speaks To The Nation.
"A comic genius." - Sandi Toksvig
For full details and online booking click here.
Nina Conti
Sun 7th December at The Christmas Spiegeltent, Bristol Harbourside.
+ support from Mae Martin
SOLD OUT
We are delighted to be working with The Christmas Spiegeltent, to bring you the internationally acclaimed, ground-breaking ventriloquist, BAFTA nominated filmmaker and British Comedy Award winner.
"I laughed until I couldn't breathe" - Melbourne Age
"Uproariously hilarious" - Scotsman
For full details and online booking click here.
Swear along with Withnail & I
Thurs 11th December at St Margaret's Hall, Bradford on Avon.
Tickets £5
You've sung-along-a Sound Of Music, now swear-along-a Withnail!
Join fellow fans for a screening of the cult classic Withnail & I and get to shout along with the sweariest moments!
For full details and online booking click here.
Money raised for Mentoring Plus
The Tom Craine & Idle Playthings double bill at the Ring O Bells in July raised £130 for Mentoring Plus.
For more information on the charity visit www.mentoringplus.net
New Act Competition Results
For the first time ever, there were joint winners of the New Act Competition
Congratulations to Archie Maddocks and Paul Revill who share first place, and runner up Russ Peers
Prizes included £200 cash, a vibrant canvas artwork of Tommy Cooper from iconicomedy, bottles of Handmade Cider Company cider and Bath Comedy Festival t-shirts.
Pictured (left to right): Festival Director Nick Steel, Archie Maddocks, Competition Co-ordinator Geoff Whiting and Paul Revill.
Photo by John Arnold Photos
Congratulations to all the finalists and thanks to Geoff Whiting and judges Alan Nixon, Graham Smith and Jill Edwards.
Reviews
Theatre Bath have published some reviews from the Festival. Read them here:
Timandra Harkness - Brainsex 4 stars
Joel Dommett - Practical Joker 4 stars
John Moloney 5 stars
Hardeep Singh Kohli - Hardeep Is Your Love 4 stars
Martin Mor - How Do You Like Your Blue Eyed Boy Mister Death? 4 stars
Chortle's review of Opening Night can be read here.
Read a Storify story of the first weekend - click here.
Press Coverage
Bath Life, Bath Magazine, Bath Chronicle and more have published features on the Festival as well as interviews.
Click here to read these and see the latest coverage of Festival stories in the press.
60 Second Interviews
Click here to read some of this year's performers' answers to 10 questions in 60 seconds.
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Read our latest e-newsletters here
Carter & Ollerton - Won't Go Quietly -
(Edinburgh preview)
Wed 23rd July at the Ring O Bells. FREE entry (voluntary donation on exit)
Clever late-night sketch comedy cramming your brain with nonsense.
Carter & Ollerton bring their unique, memorable style to a freshly formed sketch show.
So step inside their tumble dryer of ideas, grab onto something that's heavy or bolted down… and enjoy.
For full details click here.
The Idle Playthings' Ctrl-Alt-Sketch & Tom Craine's Thoughts on Love -
(Edinburgh preview)
Fri 11th July at the Ring O Bells. Tickets £5 in aid of Mentoring Plus
Bath based comedy troupe The Idle Playthings present a musical sketch show browsing the history of the Internet from its inception to the present web of cats, porn and catty porn with one simple question: where did it all go wrong?
Headliner is the award-winning Bath born stand-up, Jigsaw's Tom Craine, who will preview his Edinburgh show "Thoughts On Love (By a Man With None of the Answers)".
For full details and online booking click here.
Bath Comedy Festival @ Bath Fringe -
More exciting comedy shows during Bath Fringe Festival are now on sale
Sun 25th May - Jeremy Hardy - The Spiegeltent, Bath Rec - SOLD OUT - read 5 star review
Mon 2nd & Tues 3rd June - Barbara & Jeffrey - Natural Theatre Studio - SOLD OUT - read theatrebath review
Thurs 5th June - Guy Pratt - Natural Theatre Studio - Click here to reserve tickets now!
Fri 6th June - Lady Margaret's Surgery 2 - Natural Theatre Studio - SOLD OUT
For full details of all these shows and booking links click here.
Competition Winners -
New Act Competition - Heat winners
Heat 1: Winner - Archie Maddocks, runner up - Pete Dobbing
Heat 2: Winner - Sam Carrington, runner up - Russell Hicks
Heat 3: Winner - Becky Brunning, runner up - Naomi Carter & Laura Ollerton
Heat 4: Winner - Jack Brown, runner up Paul Revill
Heat 5: Winner - Russ Peers, runner up Chris Chopping
Gladiators winner
Sal Monello's Comedy Gladiators final was won by Louis Burgess
Post Festival Fun -
Fight the festival withdrawl symptoms!
The Rondo and Komedia have some great extra shows in the week after the festival, including Gary Delaney and The Noise Next Door.
Click here for the full post-festival line-up.
Final weekend shows -
A packed programme for the last weekend!
Friday April 4th boasts the biggest night of the Festival so far with 12, that's TWELVE, different shows to choose from!
From The Real MacGuffins & Silky at the Natural Theatre Studio pop-up venue, via Mervyn Stutter at Bath Cricket Club, to Timandra Harkness at The Rondo Theatre & Stars on Stella Street at Komedia, with FREE shows from Manos Kanellos and Emily Rose at The Assembly Inn, What The Frock at The Bell, Festival of Oddity at St James WIne Vaults and Arnold a.k.b. at The Rising Sun; plus the final heat of the Bath New Act Competition at the Victoria Pub & Kitchen - Phew...decisions decisions!
The pace doesnt let up over the weekend either!
On Saturday 5th, Silky Explains Parents To Children is a lunchtime family show where all ages are welcome, at Bath Cricket Club. Afternoon at the Cricket Club stars Henry "Blowers" Blofeld who is here to regale us with funny stories and reminiscences from many years at Test Match Special - a must-see, especially for cricket fans! And in the evening, the much anticipated Grand Final of the New Act Competition sees nine finalists battle for the prestigious title of New Act Of The Year.
Elsewhere in town, Jem Roberts sings Songs That Do Eventually Stop at St James WIne Vaults, Fin Taylor's Real Talk is at The Assembly Inn, followed by Gary Colman with his new show ChUNT, which is FREE entry.
Devvo & Bob Slayer play the Love Lounge at The Bell in the first of two nights, Andrew O'Neill's Heavy Metal, A History is at The Rondo and Komedia host their regular Saturday night Krater Comedy Show.
In another first for the Festival, S-UNITE brings together a weekend of the best of student comedy from Bath and Bath Spa Universities, Bristol Improv and more with stand-up sketches and improvised comedy, at the Bath Rugby Clubhouse.
On Sunday 6th, the Festival's bonkers boozy mystery tour The Red Wine Arts Trail with guest clippie Lorraine Chase on a Routemaster bus promises to be an absolute hoot and there are still a few tickets left for the first tour at 1pm!
In the evening, The Festival Closing Night Gala Cabaret is headlined by the fabulous John Moloney, to complete a full evening of stand-up including Nick Hall and Stephanie Laing and musical comedy from The BelleFleurs, all contained in the capable compering hands of Nick Page.
The second of two nights of the best of Student Comedy from S-UNITE is at Bath Rugby Club, and Devvo & Bob Slayer have another round of Devvo's live gameshow and "Idiots in the round" up at The Bell
Sal Monello presents his Hit List at Zero Zero, with Garrett Millerick, Danny Buckler, Christian Elderfield and Larry Dean, and down at Komedia Arts Café, is the new Krater Sunday Club.
So much to enjoy in this packed weekend of Festival fun!
For full listings and booking links visit the what's on pages.
Midweek shows -
We welcome a host of talent to Bath this week
On Tuesday 1st April, master jokesmith John Moloney plays the Comedy Fest's fabulous new popup venue at Natural Theatre Studio in Widcombe, while over in Larkhall The Rondo starts it's comedy programme with a visit from Boothby Graffoe, and in town the Bizarre Bath comedy walk also starts it's Spring/Summer season.
On Wednesday 2nd at Natural Theatre, 2012 New Act Winner Harriet Kemsley is performing her debut show, followed by Mike Wozniak's top tipped show "Take The Hit" which was nominated for Best Show in Edinburgh last year. Jennifer Belander's "MommAutism" is free entry at The Bell and The Rondo welcomes back Matt Richardson's "Hometown Hero" show.
Kerry Godliman is playing Komedia this Thursday 3rd, The Rondo have Joel Dommett. The Assembly Inn's downstairs venue is a great place to enjoy an intimate show - Neil McFarlane Tells It LIike It Isn't on Thursday, and there are more shows to come for the rest of the Festival. Meanwhile, over at The Bell, the regular Thursday Playgroup open mic night turns its attention to stand-up for one week only.
Don't forget, The New Act Competition has heats every day this week at The Victoria Pub & Kitchen. 40 hopefuls will be reduced to 9 finalists who will compete in the Grand Final on Saturday at Bath Cricket Club.
For full listings and booking links visit the what's on pages.
First weekend Festival shows -
Opening Night Friday 28th March - Sunday 30th March
Friday evening sees the Festival Opening Night Gala (sold out), plus three shows around town - Hank Wangford & Brad Breath at Chapel Arts Centre, Dave Chawner & Robyn Perkins at The Assembly Inn and Jody Kamali at the GPT Smokehouse.
On Saturday, Arthur Smith's walk is sold out, but there some tickets available for Hardeep Singh Kohli and Barry Cryer & Ronnie Golden at Bath Cricket Club, plus there's another chance to see Dave Chawner & Robyn Perkins or enjoy Komedia's Krater Club.
There's a packed programme on Sunday, starting with Martin Mor's show for kids and all the family "Funny Stuff For Happy People" - just £5 a ticket, it promises an hour of comedy, circus, storytelling, poetry and stupid science (and prizes!). Also in the afternoon, at the Bell you can join in Unrehearsed Blackadder with the Unrelated Family.
The new popup venue at Natural Theatre Studio launches with no less than three shows - Larry Dean kicks off proceedings at 5pm, followed by Matt Price with his amazing true story "Turkeygate, Tinky Winky & the Turkish Mafia", and the irrepressible Martin Mor with his life affirming show, "How Do You Like Your Blue Eyed Boy Mister Death?" at 9pm.
Elsewhere, Sal Monello's Comedy Gladiators Final is at Zero Zero, there's the new Sunday night free show Knock Knock at Revolution, a Comedy Cavern show at Victoria Pub & Kitchen and the first of three Festival appearances of Gary Colman at The Assembly Inn.
Festival Overview -
Click here for an overview of the 2014 Festival
Festival Programme -
Tickets are selling fast for a lot of shows, so book now to secure your seats!
Check out the what's on pages for the events diary, full show information and booking links.
The printed programme is out now and is available from many pubs, cafés and restaurants and other places around Bath and the surrounding areas, as well as the Tourist Information Centre in Abbey Churchyard.
You can read the programme online too - or download your own copy - just visit the online programme page for details.
The Festival welcomes another Patron -
Bath Comedy Festival welcomes Angela Vick as a Patron
We are delighted that Angela Vick has joined the exisiting Patrons, which include Arthur Smith, Barry Cryer and Terry Jones.
Angela said: "Bath Comedy Festival is the ideal antidote to Lent, therefore it deserves all our support!"
Writer, actor and champion of women in comedy, Angela is no stranger to the Festival, being a founding member of Women on the Make and a regular in the tongue-in-cheek ham dram troupe The Widcombe Players.
"Many a man has more hair than wit" - Shakespeare
"So where are you women !?" - Angela Vick
Bath Comedy Festival announces new Patrons -
We are delighted to announce that three of Comedy's best loved veterans have agreed to become Patrons of Bath Comedy Festival:
Terry Jones - comedian, writer, actor, director, author and Python.
Barry Cryer OBE - writer for many comedy legends and king of the one-liner.
Arthur Smith - Comedian, broadcaster and famously grumpy old man.
Other patrons of the Festival are former Natural Theatre Company supremo Ralph Oswick, Commissioner of Transport for London Sir Peter Hendy CBE and stalwart supporter Robert Brinkworth.
At a drinks reception for Patrons in London, Festival Director Nick Steel said "I am absolutely thrilled to receive the support of such a group of respected comedy greats and wonderful people. I hope that together we see the Festival continue to grow from strength to strength in the coming years."
Terry Jones said he was "delighted to become a Patron" because "Comedy is what makes the world a bearable place".
Terry Jones and Nick Steel share a laugh
Robert Brinkworth, Ralph Oswick, Nick Steel
Louisa Gummer and Terry Jones
For sponsorship opportunities email sponsor@bathcomedy.com
Extra comedy shows this Autumn -
Nick Steel is presenting several shows to keep your comedy appetite whetted:
Thursday 24th October 2013
Bonbon's Full Toss - the long awaited return of Bonbon Cabaret, at Bath's newest intimate venue!
A scintillating array of talent in a variety show format including stand-up comedy, music and more.
Click here for more details and booking
Friday 15th November 2013
Mik Artistik's Ego Trip - festival legends come back to Bath by popular demand for their own show.
With support from The BelleFleurs, Bath's newest harmonic trio singing heavy metal and rock songs, Andrews Sisters style!
Click here for details and booking
Friday 29th November 2013
The Sitcom Trials - so popular during this year's Comedy Festival, they're back for another round of Sitcoms in the making.
Have we found the new Miranda, Mighty Boosh or Mrs Brown? You decide!
Click here for details and booking
Friday 29th November 2013
Lady Margaret's Surgery - after the Widcombe Christmas Lights Switch-on.
Join Lady M on her chaise longue as she hosts family friendly acts, chats and beautiful singing, and enjoy the seasonal bar.
Click here for details and booking
Friday 6th December 2013
Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre - Christmas Special
A special Christmas show of songs, sketches, socks and violence.
Click here for details and booking
Tuesday 17th December 2013
Christmas Spiegeltent - Comedy Extravaganza
A fantastic line-up of comedians in one fat night of laughter in an amazing venue at Waterfront Square, Bristol.
Click here for details and booking
The 2013 archive web site including archived news and press coverage is still available here.
