Organisers hail That's Fife Comedy Festival a success and look to 2017

The 2016 That’s Fife Comedy Festival saw over 20 shows take place at venues the length and breadth of the region.

And now that it has drawn to a close, organisers have revealed they are pleased with how things went this year.

Karen Koren, from the Gilded Balloon, told the Press: “The event went exceptionally well and we are looking forward to making it bigger and better next year.”

Evan Henderson, programme manager, added: “The festival felt very positive with a wide range of people attending each venue which augurs well for future years.”

Over the course of the month Fifers were able to enjoy well known names including Ed Byrne, Dorothy Paul, Nina Conti and Ardal O’Hanlon, as well as others like George Egg, Tom Stade, Chris Ramsey, Fifer Kevin McMahon and Tim Fitzhigham. There were also performances for the younger audiences from Funbox and Morgan and West, as well as a competition for budding young comedians to show off their talents.

Evan said: “Attendances were good in general and as a young festival what we planned for. However, our experience year round is that we attract smaller audiences for newer acts therefore we will be focusing on developing our audiences’ trust to take a chance on something different which will keep things fresh and exciting for the future.”

With so many acts involved were there any particular highlights for the organisers?

“Dorothy Paul was a triumph and one of my childhood heroes,” said Karen. “Also Nina Conti did an amazing job, a great favourite.”

Evan added: “The highlight for me was also Nina Conti. The volunteer, John, who joined her on stage cried with laughter most of the way through his moment in the spotlight.”

This year’s may only just be over, but organisers have confirmed the That’s Fife Comedy Festival will return in 2017.

Karen said: “We’ll definitely be staging the festival again next year, after we have had time to digest this year’s and we will be announcing this as early as possible.”

“We’ll begin planning next year’s festival when we all re-group in June,” Evan continued.

“The festival has an award from Fife Council’s Strategic Events Fund in place and with continued financial assistance from excellent and understanding event partners like Go Glenrothes we’ll be building on what we achieved this year.

“I’m sure the Fife Free Press, who have been massive supporters of Fife Comedy Festival, will be the first to announce the line-up that the Gilded Balloon will bring to That’s Fife 2017.”