High-speed laughs: Hull Trains hosts pop-up comedy club
FUN JOURNEY: Comedian Gary Jennison chats to customers on board the ‘Comedy Carriage’
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Hull Trains has celebrated a new partnership with Hull Comedy Festival by turning a train carriage into a pop-up comedy club.
The ‘Comedy Carriage’ had passengers laughing in their seats on the 11:48 service from London King’s Cross to Hull, and demonstrated what the company says is its commitment to supporting arts and culture in East Yorkshire.
Customers were treated to exclusive, interactive sets from a range of local comedians. They included Hull Comedian of The Year 2023 Hannah Margaret, improv comedy show ‘The Discount Comedy Checkout’, Yorkshire favourite Hollie Noble, festival director Jed Salisbury and festival creative director Gary Jennison.
The operator also invited ten special guests from Hey! Volunteering, who had front row seats for the comedy gig, a tasty lunch and Hull Trains branded popcorn.
The event marked the start of the partnership between Hull Trains and Hull Comedy Festival, with the event kicking off in November for an eighteenth time. It will showcase the best local acts as well as talent from around the UK including touring shows, TV stars, family-friendly shows and award-winning performers.
Louise Mendham, service delivery director at Hull Trains, said: “We were thrilled to be able to transform a carriage on one of our hi-tech trains into a comedy club for a journey. The feedback from both our customers and specially invited guests was excellent. We gave customers our very own mini Edinburgh Fringe.”
LAUGH A MINUTE: Comedians and audience on board the ‘Comedy Carriage’
She added: “We’re proud to support events like Hull Comedy Festival, which are part of the fabric of the local community. We’ve also recently partnered with Hull Pride, Humber Street Sesh and events in other communities that we serve – such as the fantastic Doncaster Pride.”
Gary Jennison said: “We were delighted to be onboard and create the ‘Comedy Carriage’ to launch this exciting partnership with Hull Trains for the first UK Comedy Festival to do a show on a train (we think!).
“Being able to bring laughter to customers and invited guests was such a joy as we showcased the region's multi-award-winning comedy talent at 125 mph!
“This partnership presents the festival with a fantastic opportunity to welcome comedy fans across the Hull Trains route to the city and bring new audiences to Yorkshire’s biggest comedy festival.”
You can find out more about the festival here and watch a video from the day here.