Local Comedy Promoter Spills Beans On Secret Guest
UPDATE – DATES ARE BEING RESCHEDULED – PLEASE LOOK FOR THE MOST RECENT LISTING AS COVID RESTRICTIONS HAVE DELAYED THESE DATES ALREADY!
Event dates: Sat 24 April, Fri 21 May, Sun 30 May ’21
Out of all the businesses to have been negatively impacted by the dreaded C word, it’s no great secret that the entertainment industry has been hit hardest. Saddleworth comedy promoter Rob Riley hopes to be bouncing back later this month with the first of his What If It Rains? Comedy Evenings and, as you might have worked out, the show is going to be completely al fresco!
A man rarely stuck for words, we caught up with him to get a full story;
“Social distancing means we lose money, Zoom gigs are OK if you have some essential part of your soul missing and we could put three or four shows on for the price of hiring a marquee so thought we’d give an outdoor show a go”
But, what if it rains?
photo by Andy Hollingworth
“Good point! The shows are titled so that no one is in any doubt as to what could happen! Obviously, it’s England so wrap up well and if we get a bit of drizzle we shall soldier on in the best showbiz tradition. If it starts looking a biblical then the acts are already booked in reserve for the next night and we’ll do it again then.”
And the acts are?
“Duncan Oakley, Justin Moorhouse, Alex Stringer and Mick Ferry compering. Saturday 24 April.”
Are there any more outdoor shows planned?
“Yeah, Mick’s back on Sunday 30 May alongside the excellent Leo Kearse (who has just announced he is standing for Laurence Fox’s Reclaim Party which should make things interesting) and the long awaited return of The One Show’s Carl Hutchinson. That’s a Bank Holiday Sunday too so book early”
photo by Andy Hollingworth
Is there anything else local comedy connoisseurs should be aware of in the next two months?
“Well, now you mention it, yeah. We have a proud tradition of previewing tour and TV shows at Off The Rails ( the official title of the comedy night) and Gary Delaney (Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo etc) is popping in to perform two shows on Friday 21 May. The best bit is, as most of these jokes haven’t been told in front of a live audience before, we’re doing it for a mere £7! “
Event dates: Sat 24 April, Fri 21 May, Sun 30 May ’21
Off The Rails Comedy Club takes place in the upstairs function room at The Royal George, Greenfield OL3 7HX Full details at www.saddleworthcomedy.co.uk or ring Rob on 07874 152 338
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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