SITTING astride two painted hippo sculptures, Scottish stand-up comedy legend, Fred MacAulay, and Rosyth’s finest physicist turned state-of-the-art comedy magician, Kevin McMahon, today (Thursday 18 February) unveiled a stunning programme of comedy talent for That’s Fife.
Fife’s side-splitting comedy festival will be staged at venues across the Kingdom from 1 to 30 April 2016, with Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, the central hub of the festival.
From the comedy masters of stage, TV and radio, to anarchic cookery and magic, classic comedy film screenings, a stage homage to Morecambe and Wise, a comedy competition for kids and photo exhibitions, there is something to entertain every member of the family at 2016’s That’s Fife Comedy Festival.
After only two years, That’s Fife has firmly established itself on the UK’s comedy calendar, enticing the comedy big guns north of the Forth.
Established masters of their craft – including Ireland’s Ardal O’Hanlon and Ed Byrne, the master ventriloquist Nina Conti, acclaimed Geordie comic Chris Ramsey and the Edinburgh-based Canadian émigré Tom Stade – are just a few of the names that should be on everyone’s must-see wish list.
They join the superstars of Scottish comedy and theatre, Dorothy Paul and Fred MacAulay, together with two of the hottest up-and-coming talents of alternative comedy: Kevin McMahon, the Fife comedian who masterfully combines physics and magic, and George Egg, who has perfected the art of comedy gastronomy.
For the 2016 That’s Fife Comedy Festival, Fife Cultural Trust have joined forces with the Gilded Balloon, who have been programming comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for more than 30 years, to deliver the most expansive and inclusive programme yet; with events across Fife’s main cultural hubs.
Rothes Halls, at the heart of Fife in Glenrothes, Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy and The Byre Theatre, St Andrews will all be serving up top-quality comedy.
Go Glenrothes and Fife Council’s Stategic Events Programme have contributed greatly to this year’s That’s Fife Comedy Festival; essential to the production of a comedy line up of such stature in region.
Evan Henderson Fife Cultural Trust’s ‘That’s Fife’ Comedy Festival’s director said: “It’s really exciting to launch this brilliant festival line up with Karen Koren from the Gilded Balloon today at Rothes Halls – otherwise to be known as Comedy Central from this April! Karen has gathered a fabulous range of comedians; covering straight ahead stand-up of TV star, Ed Byrne, through to the hilarious ventriloquism of Nina Conti.
“Of course, none of this could have been possible without the imaginative financial support of Go Glenrothes and Fife Council’s Strategic Events Investment Programme in securing unique events like this that bring laughter and fun to the Kingdom.”
Karen Koren, artistic director of the Gilded Balloon, said: “Gilded Balloon are delighted to be bringing That’s Fife Comedy Festival to the Kingdom! We have a long association with Fife and are thrilled to be bringing some spectacular entertainment to a host of wonderful venues across the region.”
Norman Laird, area services manager, Glenrothes Area, said: “It is great to see Go Glenrothes bringing a Comedy Festival to Glenrothes and events like this will hopefully stimulate the night time economy in Glenrothes.
“The energy and commitment of Go Glenrothes will further develop a wide range of events which will encourage locals and visitors to the area and support local businesses.”
Leslie Bain, chair Go Glenrothes, said: “As chair of Go Glenrothes we delighted to be associated with the Comedy Festival to add to the exciting things we have planned. We will be holding our official launch in the Kingdom Centre on Friday 26th February at date which has huge significance for another major event also being launched that day.”
That’s Fife Comedy Festival Information can be found at: http://www.onfife.com/fifecomedy.
Tickets are on sale now with prices ranging from £5 to £20.
Please check individual performance information at the four venues for prices. Full Box Office details can be found below the Your Guide to That’s Fife Comedy Festival 2016.
Twitter – #That’sFife
@onfife / @ByreTheatre / @Gildedballoon
On at Fife Theatres – https://www.facebook.com/onfife/
The Byre Theatre – https://www.facebook.com/byretheatre
Gilded Balloon – http://www.gildedballoon.co.uk/
Media contact: For further information on That’s Fife Comedy Festival, for images or to arrange interviews please contact: Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: paddy@littlehousemedia.uk.com / M: 07913 951717
Please note: a pdf version of the That’s Fife brochure is available and can be e-mailed.
Your Guide to That’s Fife Comedy Festival 2016
Scotland’s finest grace the Kingdom
Local legends of stage, screen and radio will be out in force at That’s Fife in 2016. An Audience with Dorothy Paul will open the Festival in style at Rothes. This stellar show offers a rare and fantastic opportunity to spend the night with the Queen of Scottish comedy theatre herself, as she joins forces with Scottish acting magnate, Dave Anderson, to discuss the highs and lows of her life in the footlights.
Fred MacAulay, ‘Him off the radio’ and Scottish stand-up comedy legend, returns to the Byre Theatre stage with a brand new solo show. It could be philosophical (Fred likes to probe). It could be medical (Fred has been probed). It’s likely to be topical, potentially satirical, and it’s bound to be funny. Fred will also be joining fellow Scots – Grant Stott, Kevin McMahon and Scott Gibson – in hosting the That’s Fife Comedy Gala at Rothes Halls; an eclectic mix of standup, magic and variety performance from some of the best acts from across the festival.
Belly laughs will be plentiful in Kirkcaldy when Edinburgh’s most hilarious Canadian resident, Tom Stade, takes to the stage of the Adam Smith Theatre; a kind comedian whose hard-edged incisive humour mixes close to the bone gags with an insatiable mischief.
A host of household mames
From the headliners of stand-up shows and the stars of sit coms to the best scene-stealing quiz show panelists, That’s Fife 2016 will see a host of the UK’s household favourites stepping out of the small screen and onto the live stage.
Multi-award winning comedian, actor and writer, Ardal O’Hanlon - probably best known for his role as Father Dougal McGuire, the dimwitted priest in Father Ted – brings his unique brand of smart talking stand up to Carnegie Hall.
Fellow Irish giant, Ed Byrne, the master of observational comedy and star of Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You, is bringing his Edinburgh Fringe sell-out show, Outside, Looking In to Rothes Halls.
Nina Conti, whose ventriloquism skills are quite extraordinary, will also grace the Rothes Halls stage with her unmissable improvised adventure of hilarious witchery. Her innovative world includes Monk, her potty-mouthed monkey sidekick and his dark, acerbic commentary on the world, as well as a selection of life-sized dummies who will be plucked from the audience and metamorphosed using masks whose mouths she controls. No-one, not even Conti, entirely knows what hysterical antics will take place in Glenrothes.
At what point are you really an adult? Chris Ramsey, endearing and hysterical young comedian and star of Hebburn and Celebrity Juice, has based his new show, All Growed Up, on this theme. Telling stories from his childhood and some of his less than adult moments as of late this fantastic show at the Adam Smith Theatre is about getting older, finding yourself, taking responsibility and realising you are no longer a child.
It’s a well-known fact that Fifers have the best sense of humour, so star of Live at The Apollo and the Mock the Week regular, Zoe Lyons, will be road-testing some brand-new material in Kirkcaldy and St Andrews, as well as performing some of her trademark high energy, brilliantly-observed routines in her first That’s Fife show.
Anarchy for all
There’s something a little bit different in store for Fife comedy audiences this year with some of the hottest alternative acts on the circuit appearing in the Kingdom. This includes the anarchic comedy cooking show from George Egg. At the Byre Theatre, he will rustle up an entire three-course meal in an hour, using the iron, a travel kettle, a trouser press and various other implements found in a hotel room with loads of laughs along the way.
Kevin McMahon, a physicist turned state-of-the-art magician from Rosyth serves up sleight-of-hand, pickpocketing, misdirection and illusion in his Edinburgh Fringe hit show Quantum Magic. He will deliver one of the most intriguing performances you’re ever likely to see. He is looking forward to returning to perform at Carnegie Hall, the venue he first performed at aged 16 as part of the Fife Youth Orchestra. He is also proud to announce that he has been to every panto at the venue since 1984.
Magic is also on the agenda in Parlour Tricks from Morgan and West. The time-travelling duo’s brand new show at the Adam Smith Theatre is chock full of jaw dropping, brain bursting, gasp eliciting feats of magic.
The Gambler at the Byre Theatre is a show about the ten greatest bets in history. Inspired by centuries-old bets, recorded in the betting books of revered gentlemen’s clubs, multi award-winning comedian, adventurer and world record holder Tim Fitzhigham challenges himself to a number of bizarre activities: pushing a wheelbarrow 25 miles, standing on one leg for 12 hours, cycling from London to Dover before his friend can draw a million dots, walking backwards for 30 miles and other death-defying feats…
Bring the family
There’s no need to leave younger members of the family at home in April. That’s Fife if offering plenty to entertain the whole family. Budding young Fife comedians have perfect opportunity to try their hand at stand-up in Class Clowns, Scotland’s only newcomer competition for young aspiring comics. Sign up now or come along to the Adam Smith Theatre and support the best of Fife’s undiscovered, homegrown talent as they battle it out for a place in the Class Clowns grand final at the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
If you like your laughs without the rude bits then Morgan & West, Victorian magic duo will also be presenting the Morgan & West Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Magic Show for Kids (and Childish Grown-ups!). Mixing brain busting illusion and good, old-fashioned tomfoolery, the audience will witness a mountain of mysterious magic, a hatful of hyper-reality, and of course a truck full of tricks and tea.
Younger children are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite superhero for Fun Box’s new show Superheroes at Adam Smith Theatre. In their latest crazy singalong adventure caper, Gary, Anya and Kevin – the former stars of the Singing Kettle – together with Bonzo the dog, take on a super quest to find their keys and open the Funbox.
The Gilded Balloon’s Fife Comedy Circuit
The Gilded Balloon’s Fife Comedy Circuit returns to Carnegie Hall for That’s Fife with stand-out, stand-up and riotous, comedy carnage, the order of the evening. The rising star of Irish comedy Al Porter, who had a sell out run at the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe and recently starred in Live at the Apollo, will headline. He combines a sparkling high camp wit, reminiscent of light entertainments stars past, with a saucy and unflinchingly modern honesty.
On stage and screen
For 2016 That’s Fife has a strong comedy theatre and film programme. The That’s Fife Cinema Club includes classic comedy films old and new, from The Lavender Hill Mob and Dad’s Army to Whisky Galore and the Coen Brother’s Hail, Caesar!.
In a moving, affectionate and fantastically funny stage homage to the greatest comedy double act that Britain has ever seen, Eric and Ern recreates some of the finest moments of Morecambe and Wise’s television and stage performances.
In this Edinburgh Fringe and West End hit coming to Rothes Halls and Carnegie Hall, Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens perform stand-up, songs, dances, sketches and routines that take you back to a world of sunshine and laughter. Some of the most cherished moments from the archives sit alongside new material, together making a brilliant comedy that recreates the all-ages appeal of Eric and Ernie in their heyday.
Photography exhibitions
Two of the UK’s leading portrait photographers, Steve Ullathorne and Pål Hansen, whose photos have been published in national and international newspapers and magazines, will be exhibiting their stunning portraits of comedians, celebrities and prominent individuals throughout the festival. Both Steve Ullathorne’s exhibition at the Adam Smith Theatre and Pål Hansen’s at Rothes Halls are free to enter and for any budding photographer or comedy fan they are a must see.
Booking information
Ticket prices range from £5 to £20. Please check individual performance information for prices.
Rothes Halls, Kingdom Shopping Centre, Glenrothes KY7 5NX
T: 01592 611101 / W: www.onfife.com/fifecomedy
E: boxoffice.rotheshalls@onfife.com
Adam Smith Theatre, Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy KY1 1ET
T: 01592 583302 / W: www.onfife.com/fifecomedy
E: boxoffice.adamsmith@onfife.com
Carnegie Hall, East Port, Dunfermline KY12 7JA
T: 01383 602302 / W: www.onfife.com/fifecomedy
E: boxoffice.carnegie@onfife.com
The Byre Theatre, University of St Andrews, Abbey Street, St Andrews KY16 9LA
T: 01334 475000 / W: www.byretheatre.com
E: byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk
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