No joke – it’s back!

Thanks to Ralph Oswick for drawing our attention to an annual event that has been sadly missing during the pandemic.

He writes:

Here below is the latest stop press release from Bath Comedy Festival. Against all the odds, an astonishing array of acts, events and happenings are about to descend on our fair city. To find further details and to book tickets, please go to www.bathcomedy.com.

Many of the events are free, you just turn up and chuck some money in the bucket if you enjoyed the show…or haughtily walk away if you didn’t (you meany).

I’m still recovering from my knee replacement operation, so apart from sticking labels on the pickled egg jars for The Wine Arts Trail raffle prizes, I’ve not been a lot of help this year. 

Here’s the release:

‘The annual event took a forced break during the pandemic but this year as the clocks change and the sun comes out again, Bath will be treated to performances from some of the biggest names in the comedy world, including Josh Widdicombe, Henning Wehn, Sarah Millican, Russell Kane, The Guilty Feminist, Jess Robinson, Ed Gamble, Jasper Carrot and Sandi Toksvig. 

The festival will have audiences laughing their socks off in some of Bath’s most iconic locations both big and small. Venues span the length and breadth of the historic city, including Bath Forum – Main House, Ballroom and Coffee House, Revolution Bath, The Saracen’s Head, Widcombe Social Club, The Bell, Komedia, Rondo Theatre, The Raven and Walcot House.

Highlights include:

• 1^st April – April Fools Gala starring Russell Kane, Jess Robinson, Silky, Les Bubb and John Moloney at Bath Forum
• 3^rd April – Top immersive experience The Wine Arts Trail (T.W.A.T.), accompanied by ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ guest clippie, Helen Lederer – this event is always a sell-out
• 6^th and 7^th April – Sarah Millican packs Bath Forum for two consecutive nights
• 8^th and 15^th April – Friday Night Line-ups featuring top circuit comedians, at Bath Comedy Club: Wharfside, a.k.a. Widcombe Social Club
• 9^th April – Henning Wehn brings his new tour show “It’ll All Come Out In The Wash” to Bath Forum
• 12^th April – Screening of ‘Ian Cognito: A Life And Death On Stage’, the much-lauded documentary tribute to one of the most extraordinary, now legendary live comedy performers
• 14^th April – Josh Widdicombe headline event at Bath Forum
• Affordable Festival centred on The Forum Coffee House, The Saracen’s Head and The Raven, with many “pay what you feel” events featuring works in progress from established performers as well as first solo outings from the stars of tomorrow
• Rondo Theatre features a varied programme including a solo performance of ‘Warhol: Bullet Karma’ by celebrated actor Garry Roost (2^nd April), and a rollercoaster mixture of dialogue, music and audience interaction from The Rev Dr Clive Thomas Jackson, singer of Doctor and the Medics (9^th April)
• New venue The Saracen’s Head plays host to a brand-new late-night show “Live & Late”, each Friday throughout the Festival
• Bath Comedy Club: Revolution – Revolution Bath hosts all 12 New Act Competition heats.
• 18^th April – Walcot House hosts the Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition Final which always finds a new star in the making

Festival Director Nick Steel says: 

“This is some comeback for the Festival and we have our best line-up yet.  With household names like Henning Wehn, Sarah Millican and Josh Widdicombe alongside a plethora of up-and-coming talent, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes.  And something for everyone’s budget too – our Affordable Festival is back offering dozens of ‘pay what you feel’ events, meaning having a laugh is accessible for everyone. We’re also launching a new late show ‘Live & Late’ which will feature a wide variety of comedians and a party atmosphere – the place to hang out with performers and organisers alike. Bath Comedy Festival has grown in scale year on year, and Bath is now widely recognised as a centre for comedy and a key date on the annual comedy calendar.  We’re back with a vengeance and can’t wait to welcome Bath’s residents and visitors for another year of laughter.”

For more information please see: www.bathcomedy.com or check out the What’s on pages, which are correct at time of going to press.’