Smack the Pony star headlines as grassroots comedy booms in West Berks

Fiona Allen – two times Emmy winning actor and one of the stars of Smack the Pony – will be the headline act when Hungerford Comedy Club returns to the Croft Hall on March 24.

After January’s sell-out show, it promises to be another full house so book early for this one.

Allen will be joined on stage by local acts, Ken Rich – well known to the audience at Newbury’s Ace Space – who will be sharing his fabulous and fruity comic verse, and Sam Michael, who will be musing on making the transition from lad to dad.

The opening act will be Harun Musho’d – all the way from Edinburgh – bringing his perspective on middle-age, marriage and a Muslim heritage. There will also be a short spot from one of the acts that did well at Hungerford Comedy Club’s summertime rugby club gig.

And there are more opportunities for laughter as the man behind Hungerford Comedy Club, Graeme Coulam, launches Thatcham Comedy Club on April 9 at The White Hart, with a bill that includes Ben Harrington, Lee Hudson and Joey Page, whose TV credits include Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy.

Graeme says: “Hungerford Comedy Club was set up to be a community comedy night but it also attracts an audience from many surrounding villages as well as Hungerford itself.

“The night is always such great fun, friendly and welcoming, and I am certain Thatcham can provide an audience that is equally enthusiastic and supportive.

“It will start out as a smaller, more intimate night, but I hope we can get to the point where it justifies a bigger venue as Hungerford has done.”

Visit www.hungerfordcomedyclub.org.uk and www.thatchamcomedyclub.uk for updates.