Funnyman Phil Kay to headline new Perthshire comedy festival

Stand-up sensation Phil Kay has been confirmed as one of the big names to perform at the first Crieff Comedy Festival this summer.

The Edinburgh Nights funnyman will headline the Comedy Club at Morrison’s Academy Hall on Saturday July 28 from 9pm.

He will be supported by Ruth E Cockburn, Phil Chapman and MC Nik Coppin.

Festival compère Jim McCreadie said: “Phil’s unique blend of energy, improvisation and leaps of imagination make him a truly exceptional performer and we are delighted to have him on board as a Comedy Club headliner.”

Phil, who is originally from Perthshire, having attended both Craigclowan and Glenalmond schools, launched his stand-up comedy career with a bang in 1989, quickly garnering a host of awards, nominations and glowing reviews.

Since then, the plaudits have never stopped as he conquered first the live stage then TV, with appearances on such shows as Phil Kay Feels, Next Stop Phil Kay, QI and Russell Howard’s Good News. His writing credits also include stints on Jonathan Ross’s Saturday Show, Channel 4’s Viva Cabaret, The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, and Harry Hill’s Pilot Show.

Crieff Comedy Festival – Before The Fringe features 60plus comedy acts, across four venues – Morrison’s Academy Hall, Crieff Golf Club, Square Bar, Tower Bar & Restaurant – over three nights, from Thursday July 26.

It is one of the projects being progressed by Crieff Succeeds BID (Business Improvement District), which launched a match-funded marketing campaign last autumn.