Edinburgh Fringe fest heads to Hamilton bar
Award-winning comedians from across the UK and beyond will be sharpening up their acts for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by performing in Hamilton.
The Junkyard Bar on Chapel Street will play host to 16 comedians over eight nights throughout the month of July, in the First Look Fringe shows before they perform in the capital. Edinburgh boasts the largest festival of its type in the world, with over 55,000 performances of over 3000 shows in some 300 venues. An extra night with three other comedians, whose Edinburgh venue fell through, has been arranged to round off the Hamilton shows on July 31.
The organiser of the gigs with his company, Crackbird Comedy, and comedian himself, Pablo Serski explained how the event came together: “We started hosting comedy nights at the Junkyard in April 2017 and we’ve gone from strength to strength, and audiences kept coming back.
“The Junkyard have been supportive of me from day one and with any idea I’ve had comedy wise. They’ve said go for it and see what happens, and that’s a wonderful thing.
“I pitched the shows to Bernard (owner of the Junkyard) about four months ago and he said, ‘Go for it’.
“It took a bit of work to get it together but it’s all there and we’re excited.
“We’re bringing the Edinburgh Fringe to Hamilton.”
The acts that will be performing are a real mix of experienced comedians and others whose acts are growing.
Serski said: “You’ve got former Scottish comedian of the year, Bruce Fummey, and Scottish comedy legend Vladimir McTavish, alongside one of the brightest, up-and-coming Scottish comedians Stuart Mitchell, and Rahul Kohli, who’s making big waves down south at the moment.
“There are people in this group that will become bigger names.
“I can guarantee you that some of people that you will come to see will be on the telly within a few years.”
He also spoke of the variety of styles from the shows, explaining: “There will be all different types of humour, everything is catered for. “There is something for everyone.” A full list of dates and comedians is available www.facebook.com/ junkyardhamilton.
Seats and tables can be reserved by contacting the Junkyard directly by calling 01698 283666 or via Facebook and the entry money is paid on the night.
Tickets are priced at £3 each and the first show will be held on July 3 at 9.15pm.