The Black Mountains Comedy Festival is set to returns for its third year with its brilliant mix of comedians, slapstick theatre and an outreach programme.
The festival has grown since its first event just before lock down in 2020 with Rich Hall and Mark Watson, and from the beginning, community projects have always been at the heart of the festival.
This year’s outreach programme includes a tour of care homes and a free theatre show that will reach the hearts of the local community from 0 to 100 years old!.
“The aim of the Black Mountains Comedy Festival is to bring laughter and light to the community during the dark months of winter,” said co-founder Gerard KilBride.
The festival has an impressive list of top comedians who’ve performed in The Clarence Hall, Crickhowell including Zoe Lyons, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Gary Delaney partnered with a portfolio of community based Outreach Projects; working in local schools, as well as Ukrainian refugees.
This year the festival is producing free circus workshops and slapstick matinee theatre performance with Circo Rum Baba and a tour of local Care Homes.
“We had an immediate positive response from the care homes,” said Mr KilBride.
“As soon as we started talking to them, they appreciated how residents would benefit from comedy and like us, share the belief that laughter is the best medicine and this experience will be a real boost for many.”
Cardiff-based Kitsch n Sync will be performing in the homes.
Ms KilBride continued: “We’re so excited about this project and have wanted to work with Kitsch n Sync who create a hilarious mix of cheeky story telling with the most fantastic costumes – we know tha they will be a great success with residents!”
This fantastic company will also be delivering free walkabout performances in Brecon, Abergavenny and Crickhowell town centres on Saturday, January 20 as part of the run up to the festival which starts on Thursday, February 1.
Added to that, theatre company Circo Rum Baba, who delighted audiences at last year’s festival, are coming back to the Clarence Hall on Saturday, February 3 with their circus workshop and their show, The Dress Circle and both events will be free.
“Live theatre is an enriching experience for all ages - especially when it is of this quality,” said Mr KilBridge.
“We have worked hard to secure funding that will allow everyone in our community to come and enjoy this great show for free, so save the date! It’s a ticketed event so please book visit our website. The funding also allows us to deliver a free circus workshop at the Clarence Hall, but spaces are limited so book now!”
This festival keeps growing and this year instead of just Friday and Saturday night shows there are three comedy evenings. This begins on Thursday, February 1 with a Fringe event curated by Huw Davies, founder of the successful Aber Laugh. Supporting and growing Welsh talent is close to the heart of the festival and alongside booking A-listers, the comedy festival always books talent that is on the way up.
Mr KilBride explained: “The benefits of the opportunities offered by the festival to emerging talent cannot be underplayed. Comedians and comperes develop and improve by both performing and learning from others.
“The scale of the Black Mountain Comedy Festival is larger than anything within the area and as such the potential for individual comedic development is huge.”
2024’s festival line up includes headliners Edinburgh Award winner Bridget Christie (C4’s The Change) and Hal Cruttenden (Rugby’s On, Have I got News for You).
On Saturday, February 3 Ross Smith will be joining Bridget Christie and returning with his mix of self depreciating humour and audience fun and there’s Festival newcomers Julia Stenton and Mike Reed who both know how to bring the house down.
Hal Cruttenden will be joined on Friday, February 2 by the great Welsh line-up of Sarah Bridgeman, Aber Laughs’ Huw Davies and Leila Navabi who between them have won many awards and standing ovations.
Tickets for all events and workshops are now available on the Black Mountains Comedy Festival website.
Festival line-up
Thursday, 1 February: Huw Davies, Steffan Evans, Gareth Hunt (Welsh Jesus), Gilly Webb, Dan Coughtry.
Friday, February 2: Hal Cruttenden, Leila Navabi, Sarah Bridgeman, Huw Davies.
Saturday, February 3: Circus Skills Workshop (Free – Booking Essential) The Dress Circle performed by Circo Rum Baba (Free – Booking Essential) Bridget Christie, Ross Smith, Julia Stenton, Mike Reed.
Tickets are between £25-£40 and can be purcahsed online at: www.blackmountainsfestivals.com