After a successful debut last year, the Cambridge Fringe comedy festival returns to tickle our funny bones
Promising to fill the bank holiday weekend with laughter, Cambridge Fringe returns on 26 May for a packed day of comedy gigs in venues around Mitcham’s Corner. The event enjoyed a barnstorming debut last year and is back bigger and better for 2019, offering 46 shows back-to-back across The Portland Arms, The Boathouse, Thirsty and The Waterman.
Throughout the day, you can see top comedians from around the world serving up a huge range of styles, from side-splitting sketches and witty one-liners to kids shows, game shows, science shows and compilation shows. Headlining is Marlon Davis (right), whose hilarious, energetically delivered observations you may have seen at Live at the Apollo and ITV’s The Stand Up Sketch Show.
He’s joined by Irish comedian and Radio 4 regular Gráinne Maguire (below), plus you can enjoy some off-beat silliness from Glenn Moore. Another highlight is sure to be Cambridge’s own Adele Cliff, an Edinburgh Fringe favourite whose one-liners are legendary.
“Comedy festivals are becoming increasingly popular on the UK and global comedy circuit, and if we attract performers to our little city, they are more likely to want to come and tour here or perform at the other comedy clubs we have,” explains festival organiser Ali Warwood, who is herself a stand-up comedian and also founded Commoners’ Comedy Club here in Cambridge. “This whole project is not-for-profit and is therefore inclusive, but also allows the performers to take risks and for audiences to take a punt on an act they haven’t heard of before. This year, we are also running a local showcase gig for less experienced local comedians to perform at a festival. Last year, the shows were mostly full and the feedback from acts and audiences was fantastic.”
If you need another incentive to go along, the shows are completely free to attend – though the organisers encourage a cash donation if you like what you see. You can reserve your ticket in advance, but there will be spaces set aside for walk-ins on the day. Find out more by searching Cambridge Fringe on Facebook or follow the festival on Twitter @FringeCambridge.
Need-to-Know
What:
Micro Edinburgh Fringe-style comedy festival
When:
26 May
Where:
The Portland Arms, The Boathouse, Thirsty and The Waterman pubs
How Much:
Free to attend, organisers suggest a £5 donation
