Comedian James Alderson holds outdoor comedy gigs at The Farmer Inn pub in Catherington with TV regulars

A COMEDIAN from Waterlooville has joined up with his local pub to host a series of outdoor comedy nights featuring TV talent – and shows are already selling out.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 1st Aug 2020, 07:00 BST
James Alderson will host a series of comedy nights at a Waterlooville pub.James Alderson will host a series of comedy nights at a Waterlooville pub.
James Alderson will host a series of comedy nights at a Waterlooville pub.

James Alderson, 45, hosted the first outdoor gig featuring local comedy talent at the Farmer Inn, in Catherington Lane, on Saturday.

The comedian was ‘thrilled’ to sell out the first event with 150 people turning out – and tickets are selling fast for upcoming shows featuring comedians famous for their frequent on-screen appearances.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

James said: ‘I think everyone wants to get out and have a laugh.

The Farmer Inn, in Catherington Lane, hosted a sell-out, socially distanced comedy gig on Saturday July 25. Picture: James AldersonThe Farmer Inn, in Catherington Lane, hosted a sell-out, socially distanced comedy gig on Saturday July 25. Picture: James Alderson
The Farmer Inn, in Catherington Lane, hosted a sell-out, socially distanced comedy gig on Saturday July 25. Picture: James Alderson

‘Even though it rained before the show on Saturday, I didn’t get one message asking if it was still going ahead.

‘Being able to perform outside is a breath of fresh air – no pun intended.

‘We have lots of big names appearing, and a secret headliner who is used to filling out 1,500 seat venues.’

Read More
Pressure mounts to rehouse homeless people from Portsmouth hotel amid more repor...
The Farmer Inn, in Catherington Lane. Picture: Google Street MapsThe Farmer Inn, in Catherington Lane. Picture: Google Street Maps
The Farmer Inn, in Catherington Lane. Picture: Google Street Maps
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tickets remain for a show featuring Mock The Week star Angela Barnes, Nathan Caton, and a secret headliner on Saturday September 5.

Dan Skinner will be performing as Shooting Stars character Angelos Epithemiou alongside Comedy Roadshow star Zoe Lyons on September 19, with tickets still on sale.

The Farmer Inn’s pub garden has been marked with spray paint to help the crowd maintain social distancing, according to James, who is keen to bring more comedy nights to the area. He hosted daily satire nights online during lockdown.

SEE ALSO: Calls for Portsmouth residents to report anti-social behaviour as issues have 'intensified' during lockdown

He said: ‘I don’t know of any other big outside gigs happening in the area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘I feel there’s been a real surge of grassroots talent in Portsmouth in the last few years, but few people have made the jump from performing stand up in their spare time to going full time.’

Tickets have already sold out for the gig featuring Cally Beaton and Chris McCausland, a blind comedian who has appeared on Live At The Apollo and CBeebies, with the pair performing on August 8.

Jake Lambert and Stephen Bailey, who has also appeared at Live At The Apollo, will perform a sold out show on August 22.

Tickets for the September shows cost £13 and are available at comedy-allstars.co.uk.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.

Related topics:TicketsWaterloovilleZoe Lyons