Guest post by @tjoswain
The calibre of the headline comedian appearing at the Grassington Festival each year never ceases to amaze me. Maybe I don’t give the festival enough credit.
This year it was the turn of Jack Dee to turn up in the picturesque Dales village and deliver his brand of arid stand-up to the assembled townsfolk.
Unsurprisingly, the festival marquee was fully packed for the arrival of Mr Dee – but then so was the bar. We can only assume it was the comedy that was the main attraction.
Perhaps the most laughs were for jokes at the expense of Keighley – but then again, it doesn’t take a professional comedian to make a joke about Keighley.
Besides that, Jack told anecdotes about a trip to the Boots in Grassington, and his encounter with another customer, as well as with the local bagman who demanded a quid so he could get home. As Jack rightly pointed out, who can get home for a quid these days?
A personal highlight of the evening came at the end of the show. In an encore-of-sorts, Jack grabbed a diminutive guitar, and proceeded to strum out a little ditty about the jobs he supposedly had.
As something entirely unexpected from a comedian who is best known for his curmudgeonly outlook on life, it was really quite hilarious. More guitar playing please, Jack.
The Grassington Festival continues in Grassington and surrounding settlements until June 29th.
