Before the Fringe

The inaugural Crieff Comedy Festival – Before the Fringe will be headlined by a local TV and stand-up sensation who will return to his Perthshire roots this summer.

Former Craigclowan and Glenalmond College pupil, Phil Kay, will take to the stage at 10pm on Saturday 28^th July at The Square Bar in what is one of the standout shows of the three-day festival. As well as The Square Bar, there will be two other venues used over the weekend – Crieff Golf Club and Tower Bar & Restaurant.

Festival headliner Kay’s comedy career got off to a flying start back in 1989 and he quickly garnered a host of awards, nominations and glowing reviews. It has continued to be an upward trajectory from there, and after conquering the live stage he moved onto television where he had his own shows on Channel 4 – ‘Phil Kay Feels’ and ‘Next Stop Phil Kay’ – as well as appearing on the likes of Q.I. and Russell Howard’s Good News.

Phil Kay’s writing credits also include stints on Jonathan Ross, Channel 4’s ‘Viva Cabaret’ and Harry Hill’s Pilot show. It’s a unique opportunity to see these guys in an extremely relaxed and intimate environment prior to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe getting underway.

Crieff Comedy Festival’s compere, Jim McCreadie, is excited to be welcoming the comedian back to Perthshire as well as a host of other acts who will perform across all three venues from Thursday 26^th – Saturday 28^th July.

“Phil’s unique blend of energy, improvisation and leaps of imagination make him a truly exceptional performer,” Jim said, “and we’re delighted to have him on board as a Comedy Club headliner.

“Crieff Comedy Festival – Before the Fringe is a little bit different in that as well as featuring many world-class acts, our audience will get the chance to see ‘Fringe Previews’ from many of our comedians as they present new material ahead of their Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows.

“It’s a unique opportunity to see these guys in an extremely relaxed and intimate environment prior to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe getting underway.”

Jim continued: “Thanks to the support of our three brilliant venues, Crieff Comedy Festival – Before the Fringe will have something for everyone in what will be a top-notch comedy festival.

“As well as exceptional performers, we will have great food and drink, children’s shows and a friendly vibe that will combine to create the best festival weekend of the summer.”

Crieff Comedy Festival – Before the Fringe features almost 60 fantastic comedy acts over the three nights, showcasing some of the very best international acts including Tom Stade, Tanyalee Davis and Lynn Ruth Miller.

There will also be a chance to catch exclusive preview gigs from the likes of Gavin Webster, Mark Nelson, Raymond Mearns, Chris Forbes, Bruce Fummey and Bethany Black, ahead of their Edinburgh Fringe Shows in August. Also on the bill is musical comedy from Ruth E. Cockburn, freestyle comedy rap from MC Hammersmith, and Alan Bissett will be bringing his award-winning, one-woman theatre show, The Moira Monologues, to the festival.

The festival is one of a number of exciting and successful projects being progressed by Crieff Succeeds BID (Business Improvement District), which launched a match-funded marketing campaign last autumn with support from VisitScotland Growth Fund to promote and develop Crieff as an attractive visitor destination.

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Tickets are now on sale from the Crieff Comedy Festival – Before the Fringe website.