Festival brings 'big names in intimate spaces'

In 2022, comedians Charlotte Evans and Will Adamsdale began what was then Exeter's only regular new material comedy gig.

Held in a tiny cafe, they said often the only noise in crowd was from a loud refrigerated meat counter.

Three years later, Locally Sourced comedy has evolved into a four-day festival with more than 60 acts performing across 15 venues.

"We never set out to make a festival, we just wanted a regular night to perform comedy," Ms Evans said.

"It makes me so proud to see acts who started in front of the meat counter selling out their solo shows."

Tim Key, Bridget Christie and Mark Watson were some of the big names performing alongside strong local acts at the festival which began on Thursday.

JoJo Maberly performed her first-ever stand-up gig in Exeter three years ago and returned to the festival with her musical-comedy show Angst & Angstability.

"It's so great to see the comedy world come alive in Exeter," she said.

The success of the festival was depended on by comedians who said they were becoming increasingly priced out of the well-trodden routes to success.

The cost of attending the Edinburgh Fringe, which served as a cheap breakthrough for so many top British comedians, has soared in recent years.

In 2024 comics spoke out against "soaring costs" and "pure greed" which had prevented them from performing or making money at the festival.

Comedian Greg Winfield, from Barnstaple, decided to go on a solo tour with his show Whatever You Say, attending the Exeter Comedy Festival but not Edinburgh.

The comic of eight years said: "I think the old school way of doing comedy, of either moving to London or being on a relentless Edinburgh churn, is probably less important these days.

"[Exeter Comedy Festival] the finest comedy festival in the South West - I challenge others to raise themselves to this level."

All 15 venues at the Exeter Comedy Festival were independent businesses.

They ranged from a cocktail bar, a vegan cafe to a barber shop, which was converted into a performance space.

"It's a multi-venue event, what's good for us is good for the city," said James Hornblower, landlord at Little Drop of Poison, which was a hub for the festival.

"It's wonderful, it brings a whole load of people to the pub who come for the comedy, but learn about us."

Alongside their shows, a number of comedians submitted pieces of art for a festival exhibition.

Curated by Karen Lockhart, it features pieces by Spencer Jones, Emma Hughes, Olaf Falafel and others.

Ms Lockhart said: "I wanted to give an outlet for all these comedians who also have something else going on."

Festival organiser Georgia Thomas predicted the festival would continue to grow but it would stay true to having "big names in intimate spaces".

"We wanted to create a festival similar to the shows you can see in Edinburgh and London without having to travel so far," she said.

"Having big names in intimate spaces helps reduce the hierarchy which is good for them, good for local acts and good for us.

"We'll keep the intimate vibe but grow the festival to benefit comedians, audiences and local businesses."

Additional reporting by Cristina Varga