Beverley Jestwood Comedy Club is celebrating its first birthday with a special event on Wednesday 8th April at Junk Bar, New Walkergate, Beverley.
Set up a year ago by Beverley stand-up comedian, James Marsters, it was designed to provide an opportunity for experienced and first-time comedians alike to try out new material in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Taking its name from a pun on the nearby pastureland, Beverley Westwood, the event takes place the second Wednesday of every month, upstairs at Junk Bar, and features an ever-changing line-up of up-and-coming comedians from the regional circuit but usually hosted by its founder. It’s known in the industry as a new act/new material night which gives acts chance to test and develop new jokes for their regular touring routine.
Each month, Beverley Jestwood provides a platform for up to seven comedians and aims to showcase a variety of styles, including observational, absurdist, sketch, character, and musical comedy. For the first birthday special however, the night will be split into two halves with a regular line-up of four comedians in the first half and a special half-hour preview of a show that James Marsters is currently writing, known in the industry as a work in progress or WIP show.
Beverley Jestwood’s founder, James Marsters said ‘I started this night because there was nowhere in Beverley to try out new material. I had been doing the circuit for a couple of years and had built up a good idea of what works and what does not from the nights I had performed at. I wanted to create a night using all the best bits to create a welcoming space to try out new things, especially for under-represented groups.’
Junk Bar owner, Andy Beech said ‘Art plays a vital role in bringing communities together, and independent venues have the power to help it thrive. At our venue in Beverley, we believe creativity should have a home, which is why our space is open to artists, performers, and makers who want to share what they do with the community. Too often, and more increasingly, the arts are overlooked, undervalued, and underfunded, yet they are essential to culture, wellbeing, and local identity.’
Tickets for Beverley Jestwood Comedy Club are free, however, because capacity is limited, spaces must be booked via the link in the bio on their social media pages. Search Beverley Jestwood on Instagram or Facebook, or head to linktr.ee/beverleyjestwood.