Four weeks of comedy lifts off this weekend

Kicking off this weekend with the ever popular Roving Comedy Night, four groups of comedians made up of professionals and trainees, will perform at four pubs on Sunday evening.

A last minute ‘Brucey Bonus gig’ which is not listed in the event guide, but is included in the passport scheme, is the appearance of Patrick Kielty at The Court Theatre on Saturday July 25.

The Northern Irishman returns to his stand up roots with a brand new show. But he can’t do it on his own – he needs your help. Join the former psychology graduate and star of Live At The Apollo, Dave’s One Night Stand and host of the BBC New Comedy Awards as he attempts to write his new rulebook for love, life and happiness. Bring him your lovers, your advice and a crayon. He promises to do the rest.

Appearing on the same bill with Kielty is Tringe favourite Jimmy McGhie with his fifth solo show, confronting masculinity, mortality, the sins of the father and his complete inability to resist a good salesman. Along the way he encounters some vicious anti-corporate satirists, and explains how various early childhood humiliations made him what he is today: a clown.

Most of the nights are at the Court Theatre in Tring, with an occasional gig at the Limelight Theatre in Aylesbury.

Acts over the four weeks include Hardeep Singh Kohli, Josh Widdicombe, Pete Firman, Ed Byrne, Jenny Eclair and Henning Wehn.

Tringe Variety Night takes place on Tuesday June 30 and sees luscious Lili la Scala and some of her favourite cabaret reprobates entertain with a show stuffed to the gunnels with comedy, songs and burlesque. The night includes The Boy With Tape on His Face, an award winning Chaplinesque New Zealander who has been compared to Buster Keaton, Harpo Marx and Mr Bean. The night also includes Margaret Thatcher, Queen of Soho, which enjoyed a total sell out run in Edinburgh and at London’s Leicester Square Theatre in a drag musical extravaganza like no other.

Details of all gigs, locations, acts, times and ticket prices can be found at www.tringefestival.co.uk where tickets can also be bought. Tickets are also available from Fancy That on Tring High Street.