Stourbridge comedy fest bring three-day laughter bonanza (From Halesowen News)

Stourbridge comedy fest bring three-day laughter bonanza

2:41pm Wednesday 25th July 2012 in Nightlife

LAUGHTER fans enjoyed three days of quality entertainment at different venues around Stourbridge last weekend courtesy of the Comedy Hut.

Frankie Peoples, a regular host at the Mitre based Comedy Hut, organised the venues and performers, kicking off with a sold out Friday night show at Stourbridge FC.

This featured headliner Craig Murray along with another newcomer to the area, comedy pianist Vikki Stone whose act can best be described as being like Victoria Wood but louder and with far ruder material.

They were possibly both outstaged though by host Sam Harland, who produced many laugh out loud moments between the acts, and fellow Yorkshireman Scott Bennett, who had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the moment he walked on stage.

Later on, a free gig was held upstairs in the Mitre where the likes of Ben Briggs and Comedy Hut regular Freddie Farrell entertained a healthy crowd, many of whom had been at the earlier concert.

Saturday saw the action return to the Mitre, again sold out, with television comedians Daniel Sloss and Chris Ramsey trying out new material ahead of the forthcoming Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

Nobody minded that Sloss referred to notes throughout his 70 minute set and also made no secret of the fact he was recording the material for reference into his cell phone, not when the material in the main was excellent.

Ramsey, who has headlined at The Comedy Hut before, also tried new material for Edinburgh.

And it went down a storm, with his cheeky young persona and natural friendliness and willingness to exchange banter with the punters without insulting them proving endearing in a high octane, non stop hour of entertainment.

The finale came on Sunday, with popular television comedian Andi Osho playing The River Rooms, which marked this venue’s debut for live comedy.

She was supported by Nathan Caton and this last leg of the weekend provided a fitting end to what was a fun packed and undoubtedly successful first comedy festival.

The Comedy Hut’s next gig is at The Mitre on Wednesday August 8, when Ava Vidal, who has appeared regularly on Mock the Week visits.

For full details on tickets and all Comedy Hut events, go to www.comedyhut.org

Paul Jenkins