What did the Crate get up to this November?
A Paradise Of Coconuts
The month started in a fairly new venue in Northampton called Coconut Paradise. It’s a new Caribbean inspired cafe in Gold Street Mews. A lovely space, with seating enough for around 35-40 people. We were approached about putting something on and we decided to put together a showcase event so we could see some acts new to us that we could book for our other regular shows.
This was one of those situations where at first glance of the room, you’d be thinking how is this going to work. It felt like we were doing a gig in someones living room. On top of that we were informed it was turning into a BYOB event. We shuffled sofas and tables around to face the right way and created a little area for the acts, then we went for it and you know what, it was fun!
We did make a slight error though when getting everyone together for the group photo just before the gig started by not checking everyone was with us. Later finding out one of our acts was accidentally locked in the toilets! Whoops!
On the bill we had Kim Hope, Aaron Jay, Matthew Ali, Tom Ratcliffe, Osman Shibli, Salma Lyons, Ian Crawford and Elroy Welsh.
Pictured below: Salma Lyons and Matthew Ali
Doppelt
First Thursday of the month and it’s back to the Picturedrome and The Duke of Wellington.
Over at Stanwick this month we had Ninia Benjamin, Adam Beardsmore, Kirk Fontaine and Jack Skipper. ‘Mr Tik Tok’ (as described to me by one audience member) was pulling double duty and completing the Picturedrome line up was Rich Wilson, Eleanor Tiernan and Javier Jarquin.
Pictured below: Jack Skipper
The Bradlaugh
Back the Bradlaugh and Christmas had come early. By that I mean, headlining in November was the brilliant Jarred Christmas. Finishing off this line up we also had Lily Phillips, Hasan Al-Habib and Morgan Rees. What a fun gig! So many of our regulars had turned out for it. I was in the garden during the 2nd interval and someone said to me it was the best night we’ve put on. Now of course, comedy is subjective but we’re taking this as a win. Maybe like a sexy biscuit, it’s in the top 5… (You had to be there).
Pictured below: Jarred Christmas
Coffee Shop of Comedy
On the 27th it was back to Saints Coffee for some new acts and some new material. We did have a few issues with a few acts unable to catch the train due to the flooding, so we dialled the emergency comedian hotline and Ryan Mold answered. We were treated to new material from Fiona Allen, Ross Smith, Hazel Donovan, Aaron Williams, Ben Holloway, Ryan Mold all hosted by Hats Funny Ian Hayes.
The Church
28th we were at the Church Restaurant. Now this gig came about as we’d booked this line up for a different venue out of town. We then got informed they’d opted to stop doing comedy so we were left with 2 choices. Cancel the gig altogether, or book a different venue so the acts don’t lose the agreed fee. Obviously we went with the latter or I wouldn’t be talking about it…
We knew the Church Restaurant were keen to put on some comedy shows, so were more than happy to allow us to move the night we had booked to their venue and make a night of it.
We had a cracking line up that consisted of Mike Gunn, Eleanor Tiernan, Mad Ron and Ryan Mold. The crowd were up for it which made the night fly by with plenty of laughter. One thing that really tickled me was one member of the audience giggling during the set up of some of Mad Rons jokes, to the point he broke character to fight back the giggles himself, which then set everyone else off. Just brilliant. Laughter is infectious, it’s good for you, you should laugh more… and we can help with that.
Pictured below: Mike Gunn.
This was me attempting to get ‘arty farty’ by utilising some fairy lights that were on the bannister to give the picture a more christmassy feel. Now debating whether it just looks like orbs, Yvette Fielding would love this…
We got a lovely email from an act this month…
“Obviously, you know I’ll always love you guys for booking me for my first professional 20 but I wanted to make you aware of some other stuff. It’s been a really fun ride for me since that first gig with you guys. It’s been simultaneously fantastic and bonkers but I’ve generally been having a great time progressing in the industry. The reason I’m writing is to just let you know how you’ve helped me and to take the time to write to say thank you.
Obviously, a lot of the ball ache for acts is convincing promoters (who are often understandably sceptical) that you can do the job. I know for a fact that you guys have said positive things to other promoters. Which, after that gig, led to a load of other really cool gigs with quite a few acts who I was a fan of before I ever even did comedy. One of my favourite things about comedy is doing my bit, it going well, then having a pint while watching someone brilliant.
I think one of the cool things about comedy is that, as an act, you’re your own experiment and have to find out what works for you both performance-wise and in navigating the industry. As I go on, the more I learn, the more I think it’s important to acknowledge the people that have helped. I can honestly say that at all the gigs, in all the green rooms that I’ve been in, no one has a bad word to say about you guys. But don’t worry, I set them all straight! Ha! Ha! “
The Weekender
Here we go again… get your diaries out and ensure you’ve got the 12th and 13th July all freed up. We’ll be squirrelling away in the meantime getting 25 more acts booked for another weekend of entertainment!
For now we roll into the final month of the year, the festive season…