Comedy capers at new festival
A fantastic new comedy festival is coming to Crieff this summer.
Crieff Comedy Festival – Before The Fringe will feature a whopping 60plus comedy acts across four venues over three nights, from July 26-28.
The bill features international acts such as Tom Stade, Tanyalee Davis and Brendon Burns.
The best of the UK comedy circuit – such as Alan Bissett, Fern Brady, Mark Nelson and Raymond Mearns – are also among the big-name stars taking to the stage.
In addition, there will be the chance to catch exclusive preview gigs from the likes of Gavin Webster, Lynn Ruth Miller, Nelson, Mearns, Chris Forbes, local favourite and former Perth teacher Bruce Fummey and Bethany Black ahead of their Edinburgh Fringe shows in August.
Plus there’s musical comedy from Ruth E Cockburn, freestyle comedy rap from MC Hammersmith and Bissett will be bringing his awardwinning, ‘one-woman’ theatre show, The Moira Monologues, to the festival.
Comedians and festival compères, Jim McCreadie and Viv Gee, officially launched the event with a funpacked, joke-telling session in Crieff ’s James Square on Saturday afternoon.
Jim said: “Crieff Comedy Festival – Before The Fringe is a little bit different in that, as well as featuring many world-class acts, our audience will get the chance to Crieff gets ready for the comedy festival. Picture by Fraser Band see ‘Fringe previews’ from many of our comedians as they present new material ahead of their Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows.
“It’s a unique opportunity to see these guys in an extremely relaxed and intimate environment prior to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe getting under way.”
He added: “Thanks to the support of our four brilliant venues – The Square Bar, The Tower, Crieff Golf Club and Morrison’s Academy – Before The Fringe will have something for everyone in what will be a top-notch comedy festival.
“As well as exceptional performers, we will have great food and drink, children’s shows and a friendly vibe that will combine to create the best festival weekend of the summer.”
The comedy festival is one of a number of projects being progressed by Crieff Succeeds Business Improvement District (BID).
BID manager Neil Combe added: “I’d like to thank the team for all the hard work and effort they’ve put in to make the festival a reality.
“It’s a hugely exciting project and just one of the larger scale events Crieff BID has planned to raise awareness of our town and support and promote local business.
“We want to bring visitors to Crieff so everyone benefits.
“I want the festival to be more than a one-off. I want it to be a regular event bringing the community together through comedy and giving people a weekend they’ll never forget.”
Tickets are on sale now via the website www.beforethefringe.com