As Cambridge Comedy Festival prepares to return with a huge outdoor event in July, we find out what’s in store
Originally launched in 2007 by the Jesterlarf Comedy Club, with a goal of bringing a mini Edinburgh Fringe experience to our city, the Cambridge Comedy Festival has evolved into a fully-fledged, A-lister magnet of an event in its own right. With over 150 acts appearing across four stages, you can expect a jam-packed weekend of spectacular comedy performers, from superstar household names to the finest emerging comedy talent, plus a smattering of left-field fringe acts, live podcast shows, and family-friendly entertainment.
Festival highlights include some serious comedy superstars: Catch 8 Out of 10 Cats team captain Rob Beckett, Milton Jones and Mark Watson on the Friday, along with Edinburgh Fringe favourite Darren Harriott and Radio 4’s The Skewer. Saturday night, meanwhile, welcomes Dara Ó Briain, Ed Byrne and Gary Delaney to the stage, as well as Nina Conti and award-winning comedian Russell Kane.
There are plenty of laughs in store on Sunday, too, when Al Murray, Seann Walsh, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean (pictured below) and a final flurry of super-talented acts round off the weekend. A series of special shows are also taking place including parody TV-cookery show Kev’s Komedy Kitchen, written and hosted by Kevin Dewsbury and Mike Newall, as well as the Comedy Club 4 Kids – so there really is something for everyone.
In addition to the comedy action, catch some of your favourite comedians spinning tunes in the Glade bar area after the shows finish each evening. Or, if you fancy, you can even enjoy a swim in the freshwater lake on site! There is camping space available right next to the arena, plus boutique options if you can’t be without your creature comforts.
This year, the Cambridge Comedy Festival will be taking place outdoors on Grange Farm in Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon (which used to host Secret Garden Party). The festival has been held outdoors twice previously on Jesus Green, and proved a huge success, so this year’s affair promises to deliver just as many – if not more! – laughs, with a gorgeous new backdrop. Make sure to catch The Cambridge Comedy Festival this summer, from 9 to 11 July. Full weekend passes and individual day tickets are available here.
