‘The most bonkers business in Bath’
The Bath Comedy Festival is a unique product of our city and a strong contender for a Bath Business Award, writes Elise Britten
One sector particularly important to Bath is tourism and lesiure. That’s why Bath Rugby, which brings thousands of visitors to the city every year, has chosen to sponsor the Leisure and Tourism Business of the Year category at the Bath Business Awards. “Leisure and tourism plays a huge role in the city of Bath, with tourists from both the UK and abroad contributing to the evergrowing local economy,” a Bath Rugby spokesperson explained. “The winner of this award will have shown innovation, but also displayed a real focus of bringing the local communities together, as well as attracting new audiences. “On behalf of Bath Rugby, we’d like to wish all the nominees the best of luck for the evening.” One strong entry already in, which fits this criteria, is the Bath Comedy Festival. Now in its 10th year, Bath Comedy Festival (BCF) is the fastest growing festival of its kind in England. But its basic premise remains the same – to encourage new work, young and upcoming performers and female comedians. Comedian Arthur Smith is a patron of the festival and despite being famous as a grumpy old man, he is the first to sing its praises. “This is without doubt the best comedy festival in England. Bath’s a funny place now, and it’s going to get even funnier,” he said. Bath has a long tradition of mocking the status quo, which can be traced back to the satirical cartoons of the 18th century, through Jane Austen to the Bath Arts Workshop in the 1970s and 80s. The Bath Comedy Festival is proud to continue this legacy. Each year household names such as Jon Richardson, Henning When, Doug Stanhope, Paul Merton and Zoe Lyons are paired with brand new artists. The New Acts Competition has a national profile with over 400 entries in 2018. Previous artists who launched their career by winning include Joe Lycett, Rob Beckett, Matt Richardson and Larry Dean. The extensive range of acts take place over 21 days and across a variety of venues from the 1,600 seat Forum to pub rooms, community centres, city squares and even a red double decker bus. The festival is designed for both locals and visitors alike, with everything from familiar faces to niche cutting edge work, exhibitions, kids’ shows, street theatre and the famous Wine Arts Trail. BCF works closely with Visit Bath on innovative marketing strategies and securing corporate sponsorship. Leslie Redwood, head of business development and partnerships at Visit Bath, is proud of the relationship. “Our hugely successful partnership with the Bath Comedy Festival has delivered the biggest and most successful festival in the 10 year history of the event,” she said. “More tickets have been sold, more events than ever have been put on in 2018 and BCF is well on its way to become a true ‘destination event’ for the city that will add value to the city’s cultural offer as well as direct value to its businesses, residents and visitors.” BCF is always looking to open new and exciting spaces, utilising the unique urban ambiance of the city. The festival has presented trapeze artists in the nave of a parish church, has brought comedy to venues such as the mayor’s parlour, a recycling yard and a pig farm. They’ve staged a hat competition in a derelict lido and drawn audiences into a secret underground skittle alley, a derelict Edwardian cricket pavilion and even a branch of Specsavers. “If nothing else BCF should win the award for the most bonkers business in Bath,” Ralph Oswick, patron, Chronicle columnist and associate director of BCF, claimed. “The festival has grown from a small selection of quality acts gleaned from visits to Edinburgh, Brighton and Leicester Comedy Festivals to a destination event in its own right,” Ralph, who brings to the table 45 years of experience as artistic director of the Natural Theatre Company, continued. “Artists and audiences enthuse over the carefully chosen and innovative programming which demonstrates an eye for detail and a dedication to providing quality experience for all, fully utilising the best prop of all, the city of Bath itself.” Last year the festival committed itself to ensuring the inclusion of female talent in every composite programme – a first for UK comedy festivals. BCF is also unique in receiving regular substantial funding from the Heritage Lottery for its heritage and education themed content reflecting its location in a World Heritage City. Ralph explained: “This is a real festival inextricably linked to its location which acts as a catalyst for artistic development and innovation, not a churned out cloned umbrella organisation.” And the festival is only set to grow. A three year major sponsorship deal has just been signed with Lovehoney to the value of £90,000. The Bath Comedy Festival is just one contender for the awards. To put your business success story in the spotlight nominate online at www. thebathbusinessawards.co.uk