Seasonal greetings and welcome to the final blog of 2024… We’ll start with a Comedy Crate Wrapped. Then go through our December gigs, then we have a final nudge on the Weekender with a potential name dropping.
Comedy Crate Wrapped
This year has easily been our busiest one yet. We achieved our goal of putting on a show at the Royal and Derngate. We worked with 187 different acts in total, put gigs on in 23 different venues and our most booked act of the year goes to Andrew Bird!
We sold 9,174 tickets. Our other big achievement was around 15 shows were actually in collaboration with another comedy promoter, whether that be Hats Funny Comedy, The Comedy Cow or Castle Comedy. We also completed another Northampton Comedy Festival with 10 shows and 48 acts, which provided valuable stage time for preview shows and generated some extra money for local venues.
We also raised thousands of pounds for different charities this year (because we wanted to be on Santa’s nice list). Plus, and don’t quote me on this but I think we got a lot of people laughing… maybe in the millions, of laughs per show (LPS), or something like that. It’s a high number, I’m sure of that much, and I say we, it’s the royal we, of comics and promoters working as a team, where we are the fantasy comedy league bookers. Time spent on all this… who knows… I’m not sure I want to know.
Raddoppiare
5th December, kicking off with The Duke in Stanwick and The Picturedrome Northampton. Going between the two, was the brilliant Paul Tonkinson and Raymond and Mr. Timpkins.
Finishing the bill at the Duke was Ross Smith and Jules O’Brian. Over at the Drome we had Karen Bayley and Jonathan Elston.
This particular night we were dealt with some pretty shoddy weather thanks to storm Darragh, Mike got absolutely drenched and I had to leave a lot earlier than usual to avoid the traffic. But we made it through and had two great nights. Raymond and Mr Timpkins are an absolute joy to watch, I get a lot of satisfaction in booking something a bit different, where you can see the audience trying to work out what is about to happen. Then the act gets underway and a few minutes into their set and people are in tears of laughter… Job done.
Pictured below: Paul Tonkinson
Sunday 8th
Back at the Bradlaugh for another WiFi Wars event. These are always good fun for a Sunday afternoon. We need to get better at convincing people how great this is, the tech involved is mind-blowing. Two of the Brad staff came up to watch some and couldn't believe how good it is. It's been going for nearly ten years, in fact the next tour is the 10th Anniversary tour, and we're lucky to be on it. Get your tickets now.
Tuesday 10th
This one was over at V and B. Mike went along for this one along with 5 acts. Danny Ward, Mark Row, Nuala Ryan, Jim Brown and Pete Teckman. By all accounts is was great fun with a supportive crowd. We had heard good things about Danny and I’m sure we’ll see plenty more of him in the future.
Thursday 12th
Final mixed bill event at the Bradlaugh, with Nathan Caton, Jessica Fostekew, Kev Mud and Jamie Allerton. A sold out show to end the year at the Brad. I spent most of the morning putting together a Christmas playlist with a season sting which I was very pleased about. Did it make a lot of difference, probably not, but I enjoyed it.
Unfortunately our buddy Ben Briggs was ill and unable to MC. December gigs always run the risk of being tough as they can be full of Christmas parties and people that don't generally go to comedy so don't know the etiquette. In fact we got a one star review off the back of the gig from a lady who didn't like being told to be quiet even when other audience members were shushing her group. We definitely had a great replacement in Jamie Allerton who we have known for years and knew he would be able to handle any problematic audience members. A special mention for Kev Mud who had also had them in the palm of his hand from minute one. We got away lightly and are really grateful for our core community that make up the majority of our Bradlaugh audience.
If you’ve been to one our nights and enjoyed it and fancy tipping the scales more in the right direction. We’d be eternally grateful for reviews on Google, Facebook, Trustpilot, MumsNet and Deliveroo (the first 3 have genuine links, click click click).
Pictured below: Nathan Caton (By Stuart Hogben Photography)
Tuesday 17th
Sold out Christmas special at the Picturedrome with Paul Sinha, Esther Manito, Jacob Nussey and Cerys Nelmes.
The festive cheer arrived on time, with eager souls and appetites sublime.
The Christmas Crate upon the stage did gleam. With jumpers bright and festive, a Yuletide dream.
A Christmas hat upon my head did sit, a whimsical touch, a merry fit.
Yet fears arise, of a different kind of fright. Rowdy crowds, a chaotic, drunken night.
And yet only one Christmas works do did gather, for Christmas comedy, not from a cracker.
Then whispers rose, a curious delight, “Paul Sinha's here!" a wondrous sight.
The Sinnerman himself, a legend bold, with wit and charm, a story to be told.
He graced the room, a touch of stardom's gleam, adding magic to this festive dream.
A Christmas night, a triumph, a delight, a memory made, in festive, warm white light.
Pictured below: Paul Sinha (By Stuart Hogben Photography)
Saturday night at the Plaza
21st December at the Plaza in Thrapston. Along with Laura Smyth, Ross Smith, Cerys Nelmes and James Cook.
Keeping it short and sweet for this one as there genuinely wasn’t a lot to report. We had a nice evening, great crowd, it was a fun way to round off the year. Bosh!
Pictured below: Laura Smyth (By Stuart Hogben Photography)
Thrapston/ Rushden
29th December we finished off with a double between Thrapston and Rushden with Hats Funny Comedy. Staggering the times, we had all 3 acts doing both venues. We had the brilliant Tony Law, James Ellis and Ingrid Dahle. MC’s at both venues were Pete Teckman and Ian Hayes.
Great turn outs for both gigs, I didn’t go as I was in a food coma.
The Weekender
12th and 13th July, hopefully that’s firmly in your diary. We’ve already sold a bunch of tickets for this whilst it’s been on offer. So thank you to everyone that has already bought theirs, you guys are incredible. For those who haven’t….SALE ends on the 31st December.
I might start dropping some names we’ve booked in the next few blogs, so keep your eyes peeled. It’s shaping up nicely. Just one? Oh go on then… (Whispers) Mark Simmons is coming back with all new jokes.
The End…
If you’ve somewhat enjoyed reading these regurgitations, whether on the loo or whilst you’ve been procrastinating in the office, I’ll be taking donations in the form of ticket purchases for future events! We’ve got loads of great acts coming to Northamptonshire. We can’t wait to do it all over again for another year and we hope you’ll join us for a laugh.
Have A Crate New Year! x