Combing the British Newspaper Archives I found a slightly odd gig, back in 2004.

The Royal Oak pub in Church Eaton, Staffordshire, ST20 0AJ has been around since 1899 (here).

It was being run by Ray Crawford (Australian from Brisbane) and being a comedian himself he’d added a 34 seat “comedy club” extension on the side of the pub. That’s not a typo, btw. Capacity, 34.

This was to be the location of the rather grandly named Church Eaton Comedy Festival, from July 3^rd to 10^th 2004. The festival would also feature a tennis tournament, scarecrow trail and open gardens. How much more English could you get?

For anyone not aware, btw, “open gardens” are a tradition across many villages, where money is raised for charity by letting visitors nose around the prettier private gardens (in the village). And the “scarecrow trail” is another fundraiser, but this time a competition for the best scarecrow.

I digress.

At this point Jimmy was all over the TV with Your Face or Mine (version 1), Distraction, Royal Variety Show, Have I Got News For You and Never Mind The Buzzcocks. Ray said it was a “massive coup to get someone of his stature” (apparently, they’d met on the UK comedy circuit). This was Jimmy’s Public Display of Affection tour.

The festival’s comedy shows were:

• Saturday July 3^rd – Jimmy Carr & Rainer Hersch, £35
• July 4^th – Rob Rouse & Natalie Haynes, £15
• July 5^th – Andy Parsons & Electric Forecast, £20
• July 6^th – Andrew Maxwell & Zoe Lyons, £15
• July 7^th – Stephen Grant & Inder Manocha, £15
• July 8^th – Mrs Barbara Nice & Angie McEvoy, £25
• July 10th – Sol Bernstein, Matt Dyktynski & Ayesha Hazarika, £15

Mrs Barbara Nice was apparently Holy Mary in Phoenix Nights.

It amused me to see that tickets to see Jimmy “sold out within days”. Selling all 34 was clearly quite a notable event in Church Eaton…

See more about the UK Comedy Circuit – here.