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Keeping the Comedy Flame Burning

The Hull Comedy Festival celebrates its fifth successful year.

The Hull Comedy Festival enjoyed a full month of laughter in a variety of venues. With acts that included everything from music to mayonnaise, the line-up began and concluded with two very different comedy magicians: mild-mannered Phil Knoxville in the Duke of Cumberland in Cottingham on 21st October, and the outrageous Jerry Sadowitz at Hull Truck Theatre on 21st November. So it truly was a festival filled with comedy magic!

With audiences travelling from all around the region and beyond, the festival brought over £110,000 into the local economy, with some show goers enjoying a meal beforehand and drinks afterwards. As a result, retailers, eateries and hotels across the City Centre saw an increase in footfall and sales, bringing an early Christmas for many businesses.

Festival Director Rich Quelch said:
“Each year the festival grows and improves and this was the first time it ran for an entire month. The mix of acts was even more eclectic; we wanted to offer the public as many great comedy nights as possible.”

The venues included intimate settings, such as Fruit and the New Clarence pub, and the grand surroundings of Hull City Hall. Brantingham Park, the Royal Hotel, Kings Bar and Lounge and Hodgsons in Beverley also played host to a variety of entertainment.

"This was my first year as Director,” said Rich Quelch. “It was a tough pair of boots to fill after John Gilbert stepped down. I was determined to bring huge diversity to the festival and we achieved that; from Paul Zerdin, the amazing ventriloquist, to the world-class comedy musician, Tim Minchin."

Businesses and organisations both local and national supported the festival. Hull BID and St Stephen’s continued to sponsor the events, whilst local office supplies company D3 Office Group distributed the brochure far and wide. Big brand names WKD and handmade burger Co. also came on board, paying testament to Hull Comedy’s standing as a major UK event.

The Comedy Souper Bowl saw Colin Hart of KMS Facilities receive the coveted trophy, and the A Question of Sport quiz night was won by Hull KR’s new coach and staff. These events raised over £4,000 for the Smile Foundation, supporting the essential work of local charities. The festival also helped to discover the talent of tomorrow, with Tenfoot City’s New Comedian of the Year hosting six acts from up-and-coming funny people, Jay Hampson taking home the impressive title. Meanwhile, the festival’s brochure helped to promote Peter’s Story, a DVD resource raising awareness of men’s mental health.

Organised by local marketing company eskimosoup, Hull Comedy Festival has seen five years of success, and new ideas for next year’s edition are currently in discussion.

"A massive thank you to all of our followers,” said Rich Quelch. “We’re already really excited about Hull Comedy Festival 2012 and we hope others are too."

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