There’s actually a lot you don’t know about Bath, Bradley

‘I didn’t even know there was a Bath Comedy Festival!’ I’m quoting Bradley Walsh, sardonic host of the teatime telly quiz show The Chase. It was his response to a question to which the answer was indeed Bath Comedy Festival.

It’s hard to tell if funny man Bradders is joking or not, but at least we got mentioned in a prime-time television slot. Possibly our only mention on prime-time telly in recent times!

I say ‘we’ because my current title is Associate Director, Special Events. It’s largely a voluntary post but it means I deal with things other than stand-up. I don’t get to hang around backstage at The Forum with the household names, though I do get called up as a BOS (bum on seat) for any up-and-coming star who hasn’t sold out in the back room of a pub.

No, my duties are more in the realms of sourcing raffle prizes and hosting drag bingo. The latter not because I can’t resist donning a dress (though there are more floral frocks in my wardrobe than shirts) but because the festival policy is to constantly broaden the fan base and to explore every nook and cranny of the word ‘comedy’. I’m also one of the brains behind the flagship event, The Wine Arts Trail, but that’s a column in itself.

The festival excels in promoting female performers. There’s a funny woman or three on almost every composite programme. It’s especially successful at encouraging new talent: hundreds of aspiring comics apply to the annual New Act Competition. Many a famous name took their first faltering steps on these nursery boards!

My focus this year is on children’s comedy. We have a great programme of shows and workshops under the banner Junior Jokers. I wanted to call it Kids Komedy but our director hates debasing the English language.

I had to smuggle my Bingo Nite in under the cover of darkness!

Junior Jokers was tentatively launched last year with generous support from the Roper Family Trust. The yummy mummies and doting daddies really appreciated this new direction. This year we are targeting 11-18-year-olds. So, creative workshops abound. And sophisticated shows from the likes of Britain’s favourite comedy Frenchman, the super-suave Marcel Lucont. His show is listed as a gameshow for awful children and comes with enough awards to fill a Deux Chevaux!

There’s a find-your-inner-comedycharacter session at Natural Theatre’s spectacular headquarters, home to several thousand costumes, a new play about Grimaldi starring Bath panto supremo Jon Monie and even a humorous Easter card competition. Kids Kard Kontest? Maybe not.

I’m judging that. Daft daffs and cheerful chicks all welcome, with fabulous prizes to be won!

Check https://www.bathcomedy. com/whats-on

All will be revealed when the glossy programme flies off the presses. It all kicks off appropriately on April 1.

But you knew that, didn’t you, Bradley?

Ralph Oswick was artistic director of Natural Theatre for 45 years and is now an active patron of Bath Comedy Festival