Are You Ready For A Laugh at The Beverley Folk Festival

After all it’s Mid-Summer, so not a time to be too serious and Beverley Folk Festival certainly knows how to enjoy itself.

This year to kick off the fun, Patrick Monahan makes a welcome return to Beverley with his brand new, energetically witty and charming family show! Expect plenty of playful audience interaction from this loveable Irish/Iranian Teessider!

Early in 2014 he took part in the hit family entertainment series ‘Splash!’ and appeared on the brand new series of ‘Celebrity Squares’ . He was also seen on ‘Fake Reaction’ and on ‘Man Up’ and was a regular 2014 guest on ‘Not The One Show’

His 2013 TV appearances include ‘Comedy Annual’, ‘Daybreak’, ‘Loose Women’, ‘The Wright Stuff’, host of ‘Jongleurs Live!’ and ‘12 Again’. In 2012 he took part in Let’s Dance for Sports Relief on BBC, won Best Newcomer at the Loaded LAFTA Awards and Forth Radio Best Stand-Up People’s Choice Award for his hit show ‘Hug Me I Feel Good’ and in 2011, he was the winner of the ITV1 series ‘Show Me The Funny’ which led to the release of his debut DVD ‘Patrick Monahan Live’

‘A definite must see’ Edinburgh Festival’s Magazine; ‘Monahan is a supremely engaging performer, adored by his audiences and capable of some terrific comedy’. The Scotsman

To carry on with the fun on the Saturday, the long time favourites of festivals and clubs around the country, and overseas, the New Rope String Band, return to the festival for the last time before they retire in the Autumn.

Once seen, never forgotten. Combining superb musicianship with side-splitting comic genius, the New Rope String Band are truly unique entertainers. Elements of circus, clowning, vaudeville, slapstick and sheer inspired silliness are spliced with beautiful acoustic music from various world traditions, in precision-honed yet uproarious performances that have delighted audiences from Borneo’s Sarawak rainforest to the Shetland Folk Festival.

They mix up long-time favourite routines with ever-evolving new material. From musical tennis to deconstructed nursery rhymes, Python-esque absurdism to pyrotechnics and live interactive film, expect the hilariously unexpected. “They made me laugh until I cried, and played some great music. If the Queen could knight them or something, it would be a good idea.” Tim O’Brien. “I couldn’t believe what they were doing most of the time. It defied belief, it was really great!” Bob Gibbon, Director, Orkney Folk Festival.

To join the New Rope String Band in the madness on the Saturday night will be Lucy Ward, an award winning 24 year old acoustic artist from Derby who plays guitar, ukulele and concertina as well as having a great voice.

Her career has gone from strength to strength establishing herself as one of the hottest performers on the UK Folk scene, pulling a capacity audience on her Cambridge Folk Festival debut and gracing the mighty Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury 2013 and the Left Field stage at Glastonbury 2014. She was named by MOJO as ‘Britfolk’s most vibrant and forthright new young talent’ and attracted four star reviews from The Guardian and Maverick Magazine among others.

“Lucy, is a breath taking presence on stage. Her unpretentious outlook and warmth melts the hearts of audiences. Her disarming personality, pitch perfect delivery and the maturity of her songs can reduce an audience to tears, but a Lucy Ward set will always send you away feeling uplifted.” Shrewsbury Folk Festival.

So, cheer up, there’s lots to smile about at the Beverley Folk Festival this Summer. See you there…..

As always a full programme of events and workshops for younger artists and members of the audience will ensure that all ages are fully catered for over the weekend.

Tickets available for the Weekend, Single days or Individual events – June 19th – 21st.
For further information; list of artists and tickets: www.beverleyfestival.com or info@beverleyfestival.com