COMEDY FESTIVAL: From the darkest laughs, to family favourites

Gein's Family Giftshop have a brand of humour that is certainly unique, and which can be caught at the Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival.

Image 1

Gein's Family Giftshop

Comedy troupe Gein's Family Giftshop have a brand of humour that is certainly unique, and which can be caught at the Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival – presented by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, in partnership with the Bush Theatre and PBJ Management.

Sketch-based, but with running in-jokes, it's a form of humour with its roots very much in old B-movies which really has to be seen to be believed.

Think The League of Gentlemen, The Day Today, or Chris Morris' cult late night radio epic Blue Jam – all of which Kath Hughes admits to be strong influences.

Kath, one of four in the two-man two-woman group, shuns the accusation that the material is macabre, saying that the focus of the laughs is not on the slightly Wicker Man-esque scenarios, but in the awkwardness behind them.

“It's where our sense of humour gravitates,” she says.

This is GFG's first expedition to Shepherds Bush, and Kath says: “We're pretty excited to be a part of it.”

Tickets are £5, and you can catch them at 3pm on 3 June at the Bush Theatre.

Bring the family

If that's not your cup of tea (or fake blood), then there is something for everyone at the Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival – including, a million miles in the other direction, plenty for kids.

Stand-Up For Kids features the junior comedy turn of versatile Edinburgh Fringe staple Fin Taylor.

While Me & My Bee is another great show for children of all ages.

Duncan Bower, Director of Development at Westfield, who are sponsoring the festival, said: “Showcasing art, culture and celebrating local talent is very much part of Westfield London’s continued support for the community.

“We are delighted to help sponsor Hammersmith & Fulham’s first comedy festival in Shepherds Bush - to help bring exciting new work, award-winning comedians and workshops to the borough.

“As we look ahead to the opening of the expanded Westfield London next spring, with a key focus on public spaces, events and entertainment, we very much look forward to developing and contributing to a thriving arts and culture scene for many years to come.”

Translate this website