Learn tricks of laughter trade
THE teams behind a host of critically-acclaimed comedy shows will be speaking at a unique conference taking place in Llandudno this week.
The sixth annual Craft of Comedy UK conference will be held at Venue Cymru and the creators, writers and producers of BAFTA-winning show ‘This Country’ and the BAFTA- nominated ‘Cunk on Shakespeare’ will headline at the event on June 15 and 16. Performers from the BBC news satire show ‘The Mash Report’ will also speak, as will commissioners from ITV, Channel 4 and BBC.
Craft of Comedy UK, known by some as ‘the comedy party conference’, will see delegates - some just getting into comedy and others who are already well established - descend on the seaside resort for a packed schedule of workshops, talks and screenings.
Other speakers at the conference include Al ‘The Pub Landlord’ Murray, Sian Harries, who co-writes Channel Four’s ‘Man Down’, the seventh member of Monty Python and former Bonzo/Rutle Neil Innes, David Quantick, co-writer of the Emmy winning ‘ Veep’ and a session on the 40th birthday of The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy.
Steve Doherty, Artistic Director of Craft of Comedy, said: “This is our biggest, yet. A year in the making, it’ll be great to welcome some big names from comedy’s present – and almost certainly some big names in comedy’s future, to Llandudno. I’m just hoping for some good weather to show the town in all her glory.”
Sarah Ecob, Director of Craft of Comedy, said: “We are looking forward to our sixth year of non-stop comedy discussions, sharing and learning with additional fringe events open to the general public. We are particularly grateful to our sponsors Worldspan and Mostyn Estates.”
The conference also has its own Fringe festival, which opens at Venue Cymru tomorrow with a BBC Radio 4 live recording of ‘Dead Ringers’, the comedy impressions show.
The Fringe then moves up to the Tabernacle on Tudno Street, for five days of comedy, including appearances from Al Murray, Marcus Brigstocke, The Mash Report’s Rachel Parris and stand-up from Angela Barnes, Robin Ince, Kiri PritchardMcLean and Mark Watson. ● Tickets for the conference from venuecymru.co.uk or 01492 872000 and full information on the conference and Fringe can be seen at www. craftofcomedy.com