Gary Delaney's Shaft Of Wit Comedy Crusade The first two.

And we’re off! The Gary Delaney Summer Season has officially kicked off, and what a way to get things rolling. Gigs one and two are in the bag, and they were nothing short of EPIC. Two packed-out venues, a red-hot lineup, and audiences that were absolutely up for it. Here’s the lowdown on how it all went down…

Beccles Public Hall – Comedy in a Pressure Cooker

First stop: Beccles Public Hall. And let me tell you—this really was the comedy hot ticket  I’m talking 35 degrees inside, it was like doing stand-up in a sauna.

But did the heat stop anyone? Not a chance. The room was buzzing, the drinks were flowing, and the crowd were ready to laugh their faces off.

Ryan Gough was on MC duties and absolutely nailed it. He’s the kind of host who makes it all look easy—welcoming, sharp, and totally in control. He scanned the room like a pro, picked up on the vibe, and kept everyone on board from start to finish. Getting the right compere for the right crowd can be tricky, but Ryan got it bang on.

Burgh Hall, Great Yarmouth – Late Show Legends

After they performed, the acts all hot-footed it over to Burgh Hall in Great Yarmouth for the late show. And again—another full house, another cracking crowd. The room was set up perfectly, and the audience were properly up for it. You could feel the buzz before the first mic check.

John Mann took over hosting duties and brought a totally different energy—calm, steady, and rock solid. He’s the kind of compere who keeps the show flowing without ever making it about him. He is another compere that suits the Shaft Of Wit audience and was the perfect bridge between the acts getting them back into 'audience mode' before the acts casme on.

The Acts – All Killer, No Filler

David Eagle – From Dirty Dozen to Edinburgh Darling

David Eagle opened both shows, and it was brilliant to see how far he’s come. He won the first Shaft of Wit Dirty Dozen back in 2019, and last year he was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. His stand-up has levelled up massively—nothing fazes him, and his writing is just superb. He dances between dark and light with ease, and his punchlines come out of nowhere and hit hard. The crowd loved him, and so did I.

Carl Donnelly – Finally on the Shaft of Wit Stage!

Carl Donnelly was in the middle spot and I was buzzing to finally get him on a Shaft of Wit stage. I’ve been harassing him for years to come and perform, and it was so worth the wait. He’s a family man these days, and the way he overshares the wonder, confusion, and disbelief of it all is just hilarious. His family bathtime story? Worth the ticket price alone. I could listen to him for hours—he’s got that laid-back charm and razor-sharp timing that just works.

Gary Delaney - Not one bad gag

Gary Delaney closed both shows and, as always, absolutely tore the roof off. I never get tired of seeing the audience doubled over when Gary’s on. As a promoter, there’s nothing better than the sound of roaring laughter rising and falling from the first joke to the last. He’s a true master of stand-up—every word counts, every joke lands, and he delivers them with such precision it’s unreal.

His set at full sail has a rhythm and the audience follow it. Magic!

What a Way to Start the Summer

So that’s gigs one and two done—and what a start! Two amazing venues, two incredible crowds, and a lineup that delivered the goods from start to finish. If this is how we’re starting the summer, I can’t wait to see what’s next.

If you haven’t got your tickets yet, what are you waiting for? Come join us for a night of proper belly laughs, brilliant acts, and unforgettable moments.

www.shaftofwit.com/whats-on

Been to one of the shows? Got a favourite moment or a joke that stuck with you? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what cracked you up the most!