The New Machynlleth Comedy Festival

Well, we only went on the Saturday afternoon, but that gave a taste of the whole event, and it was most enjoyable.

As something of a virgin as far as attending stand-up comedy events is concerned, I'm not sure just what I expected, though having met Henry Widdicombe (who organised the festival) and heard him say that he wanted audiences to enjoy themselves and not feel threatened - and, most important, that the performers should feel the same - I went with good hopes, and was not disappointed.

Of the venues used, Y Plas was generally for evening performances, with the Owain Glyndwr Centre used during the day.  The courtyard of the latter also hosted the marquee-box-office (enticingly somewhat leopard-printed), a good bar selling excellent local cider and beer from Waen micro-brewery, and a stall devoted to wonderful mediterranean foods and sour-dough bread.  Why these details?  Because a festival is more than the sum of its acts, and to sit in the sun in such a pleasant ambience before and between performances was an essential part of the experience.

And the comedy?  With relaxed and happy audiences, the performers were almost guaranteed a good reception, but it was their quality that ensured it.  Over the course of the afternoon, we saw four acts.  What, to me, was outstanding was the variety of approaches.  I loved the intimacy and the sense that we as audience joined with the performer in making the event (and not only by linking arms and singing "Young Americans" to the tune of "Old Lang Syne").  From Henry's extended reflection on the reduction in the price of Bourbon Creams over the past decade, through the surreal world of the double-act Behemoth, the increasingly manic life-experiences of David Trent, and the gentle anecdotal approach of James Acaster (does he have the longest fingers in the business?) - the whole afternoon slipped down as effortlessly and enjoyably as a pint of Waen's "Pull the Other One" (4.5%, in case you're wondering).

Talking to other festival-goers (including Henry's mum) it was clear that the previous evening had been hugely successful, with large and appreciative audiences.  I don't know what happened on the Sunday, when street Scrabble was promised.  My only slight disappointment was the lack of street performers, which would have drawn the event out into the town - but perhaps they were around when I wasn't.  But well done Henry.  I hope it becomes an annual event ............ it's good to laugh.