READING’S new three-day comedy festival has officially kicked off with a whole host of acts and shows still to come from Mates Rates.
The night of Friday, May 19, saw The Purple Turtle host a number of up-and-coming performers battling it out with 5-minute stand-up sets in the Reading New Comedian Competition.
After regular MC Carl Richard warmed the crowd up with his usual air of effortlessness and casually cutting comedic sensibilities, the competition started in earnest with Tegan Marlow.
Marlow’s upbeat, peppy delivery betrayed a Millenial point of view, with the existential dread and social commentary woven well through good material.
Tim Bigolowe followed with a laid-back set, of which the “hippy houseboat” bit was a particular highlight.
Gareth Neale brought a sweet, affable style to his set which suited his material on parenthood, with cheeky jokes bordering on rude, but never overstepping.
Lewis Badham performed with a leisurely pace that built a slow but strong set-up into a whip-smart skit about “taking the day off” as a comedian.
Vincent Lynch closed the first half with a supremely assured, confident deadpan delivery which matched well with his quirky but quick comedic style.
Adam Hopkins opened the second half with a laid-back, confident style juxtaposed with his slightly more effete and excellently-timed material.
Dave Wilder was hot on his heels with a dead-pan, surrealist delivery and strong, snappy material which gelled well with the audience.
Alex Beighton followed with effusive yet effortless material which dabbled enjoyably in well-established joke telling as well as post-modern sensibilities.
Blindy Bob was next up, who brings a fresh perspective to his stand-up contrasted with an old-fashioned delivery and punchy, though provocative, material.
Just P closed the show with a set that, while slightly formulaic, showed confidence and stage presence.
The audience cast their votes, ranking their top three performers of the night, which would then be combined with the three judges’ scores to determine the event’s winner.
Dave Wilder came third and Vincent Lynch came second, with Adam Hopkins named as the evening’s winner, taking home the grand prize of £100, a trophy, a case of Double-Barrelled beers, and a paid spot with Mates Rates Comedy.
After taking the top spot, Mr Hopkins said that while he had taken part in some competitions in the past: “This is the first time I’ve won one.
“Everyone seems super up for it– I had no idea what the crowd would be like, but with a full room the Reading crowd was just fantastic.”
Fellow competitor Alex Beighton said: “This is my first time gigging in Reading, and I’m annoyed that I didn’t get a chance to come to this kind of underground goth club when I was 17.
“Everyone was so up for it, and the response was really nice– especially since we had a real mixed bag of styles, too.”
Reading Indie Comedy Festival continues with Marcus Brigstocke and Sara Barron performing at Double Barrelled Brewery and Taproom in Stadium Way from 7.30pm on Saturday, May 20.
Milk Bar in central Reading is also hosting a full day of performances on Sunday, May 21, including an improv showcase from 11am, Buttrick and Steel Conquer The World from 12.30pm, and full stand-up sets from Fiona Allen, Glen Wool, Nabil Abdulrashid, and Emmanuel Sonubi throughout the day.
The festival concludes with The Sunday Roast, presented by Roast Battle UK, from 8.30pm, also at Milk Bar.
Full line up details and access to tickets is available via: whatsonreading.com
