More than 2,000 people enjoy comedy festival (From Swindon Advertiser)

More than 2,000 people enjoy comedy festival

3:30pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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MORE than 2,000 people have been to Swindon’s second annual comedy festival, which ends tonight.

The Swindon Comedy Festival has seen a range of comedians perform in front of family and adult audiences.

All performances have been held at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon’s town centre.

Theatre director Derek Aldridge, who confirmed that more than 2,000 people would have attended one of the shows by the end of the week-long festival, said: “It has gone really well.

“It is fantastic that despite the warm weather and all the other options people have for their leisure time they have come along and supported the event.”

The festival began with a trio of comedians from the world famous Jongleurs comedy club taking the stage on Friday.

On Sunday children’s comedian James Campbell entertained crowds with his family-friendly observations on life.

Camp comedy duo Topping and Butch burst into the Wyvern in a flurry of red leather on Monday.

Last night Pluck — a trio of musicians who perform a set called Musical Arson — were due to wow a packed audience. More than 100 tickets have been sold for tonight’s sell-out final event – a comedy curry evening.

Another show which was due to be put on this evening – The Bad Film Club – has been cancelled. Mr Aldridge said: “During the recession, more than ever, people need to have a laugh.

“When people are surrounded by a lot of bad news it is even more of a nice experience to go out and have some fun.

“Hopefully we have provided some light relief this week.”

But this year’s festival has been a scaled down affair – the Oasis also staged performances at last year’s event.

Mr Aldridge said: “We haven’t got anything set in stone for next year.

“What I would like to do is work with some other venues in Swindon and try and spread the festival out again.”

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