Bringing laughter to Crickhowell!
Posted: 14th February 2024On 1-3 February, the Black Mountains Comedy Festival returned to the Clarence Hall, bringing light, laughter and warmth to Crickhowell, with its brilliant mix of comedians, slapstick theatre and an outreach programme.
Similarly to the previous two festivals, evening audiences had the opportunity to enjoy performances by comedians seen regularly on our TV screens, alongside new talent. In addition, Saturday day time events for families and friends ensured that the festival catered for all ages while the outreach programme included a tour of care homes and a free walkabout show that reached the heart of the local community.
This year’s line-up was a collection of faces more usually seen at The Apollo and Edinburgh Festival, alongside rising stars on the comedy circuit, with a number of comics performing each night.
The festival started on Thursday night with a Fringe event curated by Huw Davies, founder of the successful Aber Laugh. Supporting and growing Welsh talent is close to the heart of the festival and Steffan Evans, Gareth Hunt (Welsh Jesus), Gilly Webb and Dan Coughtry also performed sets.
One of the festival’s headliners, Hal Cruttenden, was joined on Friday night by the talented Sarah Bridgeman, Huw Davies and Leila Navabi.
Saturday night saw Edinburgh Award winner Bridget Christie joined by Ross Smith, with Julia Stenton and Mike Reed completing the line up.
Alongside these evening events, the festival organised a free family day on Saturday with the hilarious Circo Rum Ba Ba, a well-established, highly experienced women’s circus theatre company. The troupe ran a circus workshop in the morning followed by a matinee performance of their spectacular show, The Dress Circle, with a BSL interpreter signing at the performance.
Cardiff-based Kitsch n Sync also performed in a number of care homes in the locality as well as bringing their eclectic brand of humour to the town centres of Crickhowell and Abergavenny via free street performances.
Congratulations must go to the organisers for an excellent festival that provided us with the opportunity to enjoy some of the UK’s top acts right in the heart of the Black Mountains. Roll on next year!
