Almost 60 acts to choose from at fest
Crieff’s pre-Fringe comedy event attracts stars
Crieff Comedy Festival starts on Thursday and over three nights anyone with a funnybone can sample some of almost 60 comedy acts, across three venues. Tickets are on sale now at www. beforethefringe.com
Thursday, July 26
• Tanyalee Davis (solo show), Crieff Golf Club, 7.30-8.30pm. At three feet six inches Tanyalee is the Ferrari of comedy – low to the ground and kind of racy. The Canadian-born funnywoman had a successful six-month contract performing ‘Little Comedian, BIG Laughs’ just off the Las Vegas Strip and she’s also part of Abnormally Funny People, an ensemble show, performing throughout the United Kingdom. £12.
• Mark Nelson (Fringe preview), The Square Bar, 7.30-8.30pm. Since winning the inaugural Scottish Comedian of the Year Award in 2006, barely a year after his first-ever open-spot, Mark Nelson’s mix of dark humour, cutting observations and superb one-liners has seen him firmly established as one of the UK’s biggesthitting comedy powerhouses. £10.
• Raymond Mearns (Fringe preview), The Square Bar, 8.45-845pm. Described by Frankie Boyle as “a genuine improvisational genius”, Raymond Mearns is at last gaining wider recognition as one of the most consistent comedians in the land. Successful Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows every year from 2011 have shown that Raymond has a considerable ability to keep his stand-up fresh, relevant and most of all extremely funny. £10.
• Crieff Comedy Club at Crieff Golf Club, 9-11pm. Liam Withnail, Jamie Dalgleish, Keir McAllister, Jim Smith and headliner Fern Brady. £12.
• Crieff Comedy Club at Tower Bar, 9-11pm. Lee Kyle, Robin Grainger and headliners Des McLean and Stuart Mitchell. £12.
• Crieff Comedy Club at The Square Bar, 10-11.30pm. Jay Lafferty, Martin Bearne, Graham Mackie, Gary Meikle and headliner Susie McCabe. £12.
Friday, July 27
• Bruce Fummey (Fringe preview), Crieff Golf Club, 7.30-8.30pm. Perthshire stand-up star Bruce Fummey gives local audiences a sneak peak of his Edinburgh Fringe show – intriguingly titled ‘Have You Been Involved in a Comedy Show That Wasn’t Your Fault?’. Tickets £10.
• Obie (Fringe preview), The Square Bar, 7.30-8.30pm. Obie is a Scottish comedy legend who is highly-regarded as one of the most naturally talented comedians on the circuit. His Fringe preview show will take you on a surreal journey filled with laughter. Tickets £10.
• Bethany Black (Fringe preview), The Square Bar, 8.45-9.45pm. Bethany Black has been a professional standup comedian since 2004. Over the course of her career she has performed alongside some of the biggest names in comedy, including Alan Carr, Sarah Millican, Tim Minchin and Rhys Darby. Tickets £10.
• Crieff Comedy Club at Crieff Golf Bethany Black Comedian Pic by Shirlaine Forrest Perthshire’s own Mr Fummey has a new show heading to the Fringe
Club, 9-11pm. Susan Morrison, Daisy Earl, Ross Leslie, MC Hammersmith and headliner Joe Heenan. £12
• Crieff Comedy Club at The Square Bar, Billy Kirkwood, Rob Kane, Jamie MacDonald and headliner Karen Bayley.
• Crieff Comedy Club at The Tower Bar, 9-11pm. Rosco McClelland, Gareth Waugh, Carina MacLeod and headliner Rev Obadiah Steppenwolfe III. £12.
Saturday, July 28
• Crieff Children’s Comedy Club at The Tower, 2-3pm. Featuring Stephen Halkett and Jeannie Jones. Stephen is a headline act on the ever-growing kids’ comedy circuit and regularly hosts shows with Comedyclub4kids and The Stand Comedy Club’s kids’ show. Jeannie (aka Dr Jones Funny Bones) is ideal for kids aged three to 10. Dr Jones Mark Nelson
(a real life doctor) tells stories, has joke competitions and sings songs all about the human body. £5.
• Tom Stade (solo show), Crieff Golf Club, 7.30-8.30pm. One of the most original and exciting stand-up talents around, Canadian Tom Stade has toured the UK every year with a new show, playing to packed houses and garnering rave reviews. Audiences will know his face from The John Bishop Show, Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Lee Mack’s All Star Cast and Dave’s One Night Stand. Tickets £15.
• Lynn Ruth Miller (solo show), The Square Bar, 7.30-8.30pm. Dubbed the new Joan Rivers of Fringe comedy, Miller’s act exploits her advanced age with hilarious gags about dating octogenarians and why she got her nipple pierced. Tickets £12.
• Gavin Webster (Fringe preview), Tanyalee Davis has the first show on Thursday
The Square Bar, 8.45-9.45pm. Gavin Webster’s style of comedy is loud, sharp and controversial – and audiences love him for it. A definite Geordie, Gavin has superb stage presence. His material is bold and provocative yet delivered in a charming manner – which has brought him much praise and attention. £12
• Crieff Comedy Club at Crieff Golf Club, 9-11pm. Nik Coppin, Rahul Kohli, Elaine Malcomlson, Ruth E Cockburn and headliner Gary Little. £15.
• Crieff Comedy Club at The Square Bar, 10-11.30pm. MC Jim McCreadie, Stephen Buchanan, Charlotte MacDonald and headliners Phil Kay and Bruce Morton. £15.
• Crieff Comedy Club at The Tower Bar, 9-11pm. Viv Gee, Julia Sutherland, Eddie Cassidy, Phil Chapman and headliner Michael Redmond. £15.