Scottish Comedy Festival

New comedy festival to showcase Scotland’s comedy talent

A new comedy festival– The Scottish Comedy Festival (SCF 2012) – is forming part of the Fringe thisyear, when The Beehive Inn (venue 178) showcases the comedy talent that’sdeveloping on the Scottish scene throughoutthe year. From the 1st to the 26thAugust, The Beehive Inn, home of the year-round Beehive Comedy Club, will be adedicated venue playing host to both the cream of the Scottish comedy circuit aswell its most promising new acts.
SCF 2012 willsee over 100 comedians present over 35 different shows across 26 days and 2rooms. Fromthe lunchtime The Newbest of Newbeesshow, where emerging acts get the chance to take to the biggest stage they’veever performed on, the Fringe, to solo shows from stalwarts of the circuit – including regular Stand Comedy Club hosts and headlinersRaymond Mearns, Vladimir McTavish, John Scott and Billy Kirkwood, and formerScottish Comedian of the Year John Gavin – the venue’s exciting line-up aimsto showcase all levels of comedy talent that can currently be found onScotland’s diverse circuit. Throughout August audiences can enjoy everythingfrom stand-up, sketch and character shows, to improv, comedy debate, quizshows, and live podcast recordings.

“We wanted the programme to reflect all levelsof comedy – and all styles,” explains SCF organizer, and sketch writer /performer and stand-up, Ben Verth, whose own solo show Alsatian and Chips is taking place at the venue every day at 17.10.

“There’s beenan explosion of comedy in Scotland, creatingan eclectic circuit which is developing at a rate of knots, filled with greatnights and raw talent eager to grow and find a wider audience and face thechallenges they bring” explains Verth.

“And it justso happens that The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest artsfestival and most important fixture in any comedian's calendar, is right on ourown doorstep!  So for 2012, in order toreach that wider audience, a wealth of Scotland's most passionate comedywriters and performers have banded together to build ourselves the biggest, bestand most formal stage that our circuit has ever had”, he adds.

“The SCF 2012 has two strong aims,” states Verth. “Firstly,to bring the comedic talent working in the north of the UK to wider nationaland international attention, so we can up our game as acts – because there's nothing like having to make an audience made up of,say, Americans, Norwegians, Irish and French laugh simultaneously tohelp you hone your comic craft.
“We also wantto make some noise about and promote the circuit's exciting nights, clubs,shows and comedians for the rest of the year – because when the Fringe stops,we don’t”.

Following inthe footsteps of PBH’s Free Fringe and The Laughing Horse Free Festival, but as an entity entirely separate from them,The Scottish Comedy Festival operates on a non-ticketed, free entry system,with a collection at the end during which audiences are encouraged to make afair donation if they’ve enjoyed the show.

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For more information– or to arrange an interview – contact BEN VERTH on 0790496 78 45 or email info@scottishcomedyfestival.com.

For more details anda full line-up of shows visit www.scottishcomedyfestival.com

1. The Scottish Comedy Festival runs 1st – 26th August 2012, from noon onwards, at The Beehive Inn (venue number 178), 18-20 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU.
2. The Scottish Comedy Festival aims to showcase, celebrate and challenge the modern Scottish comedy circuit. Whilst participating acts come from across the UK – and beyond – they are all based in Scotland and regularly perform at clubs across the country.
3. All shows are  un-ticketed and seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. There is no charge for entry; however, all shows will have a collection at the end for fair audience contributions.

Posted on 17 June 2012 | 1:23 pm