“It’s a way of life for us and I can’t imagine us doing anything else” – Cass Randolph, one half of the sibling duo behind Greenwich Comedy Festival, which she runs with her brother Will Briggs, shares her South London secrets.
You’ve been running Greenwich Comedy Festival for 15 years now. What inspired you to set it up in the first place?
Will and I grew up in and around Greenwich, and spent a lot of that time at our stepdad Malcolm Hardee’s comedy club Up The Creek. Will went on to start the Sunday Specials night there, while I was off in the music industry working on events like the BRIT Awards.
We’d go up to the Edinburgh Fringe each year, and while there in 2008 realised how weird it was that London didn’t have anything like it.
We were both up for taking on a new challenge and so set about starting something, Greenwich seemed like the natural place to do it.
What’s the best thing about running Greenwich Comedy festival?
That it’s been a huge success!
We’ve certainly put the effort in over the years and are thrilled that it’s so established now.
We’ve always presented great line-ups, and now, thanks to years of experience, we’ve figured out what we feel is the best way to present them, though we’re always looking for ways to improve.
We weathered the pandemic years ok, it was tough but the experience forged our determination, and this year we’re bringing back the Big Top which is a cathartic full circle.
We can’t wait to get the shows back under cover. The atmosphere is totally electric; we have big crowds but the energy is just like the intimate (sometimes rowdy!) club gigs we grew up with at Up The Creek.
How do you spend the rest of the year?
Following the success of Greenwich we gradually expanded and now have comedy festivals in Bristol, Brighton, St Albans and Manchester, with a few more locations planned for next year. So our lives are basically non-stop, year-round comedy, comedy, comedy.
We don’t seem to have an off button; we grew up around a lot of creative and bizarre people whose lives and work were intertwined, and that seems to have rubbed off.
It’s a way of life for us, and I can’t imagine us doing anything else.
What does a typical week in south London involve for you?
At this time of year it’s all work, either in our studio near Borough or on location at one of our festivals.
What are your favourite south London eateries?
Meze Mangal in Brockley is a classic that never disappoints, the vegan roast at Mere Scribbler in Streatham is also a winner.
Mercato Metropolitano is a great food hall just down from our studio and a regular lunch spot.
Also, a special mention to Mr Bao in Peckham, where we head for our post-Greenwich Comedy Festival crew dinner every year.
Where do you shop for clothes and homeware in south London?
Vintage shopping in New Cross is a good catch-all for this.
And your favourite south London landmark?
Greenwich Park and the Horniman Museum and Gardens are stand out favourites, both with exceptional views across London.
Also the Dinosaur sculpture park in Crystal Palace never fails to amuse.
This is a very park-centric list, and sounds like we’re on the hunt for more comedy festival locations!
Have any events or festivals been a help or inspiration to your vision for Greenwich Comedy Festival?
Going to festivals and gigs has always been a big part of our lives.
Our mission with the comedy festival formula was to combine two of our favourite things: the atmosphere of a music festival and the energy of a comedy club, and I think we’ve come pretty close to achieving that.
What’s the one place, thing or activity south of the river that everyone should try at least once?
It’s got to be a day out in Greenwich.
Coming in across the park or by boat, tucking into a street food lunch and shopping in Greenwich Market, afternoon tea at the always excellent Royal Teas, a wander around the Cutty Sark and Old Royal Naval College and, of course, finishing up with an outrageously good night of comedy at Greenwich Comedy Festival!
Greenwich Comedy Festival is running outside the National Maritime Museum, London SE10 9JW.
September 13 – 17, times vary depending on event.
Admission: £26 per show.
www.greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk/tickets
