Preview: THIS sketch comedy night, Middlesbrough

Two North East sketch groups are offering a bumper-sized double bill of alternative comedy next week.

Heavy Petting and Cheap Craic will perform all-new sets at THIS, a regular sketch and character comedy night based at the Westgarth Social Club in Middlesbrough.

The next THIS, titled ‘Summer Loliday’, will take place on Friday 11 July and the two groups will team up to deliver a packed evening of sketches, weird characters, musical numbers and good-natured faffing about.

James Harris, writer and performer with Heavy Petting says: “There’s a strong Teesside tradition of off-kilter comedy, going back to Vic and Bob, but we felt there was nowhere we could do that sort of thing in Middlesbrough.

‘So we decided to set up THIS with Cheap Craic. We each do a set, plus we try and bring the best mad-headed acts from the region along to play.”

Mark Harrison, who writes and performs with Cheap Craic, says: “We believe the show is the best value comedy night in town. It’s only four quid and just like Whizzer and Chips, it’s basically two shows in one – Cheap Craic and then Heavy Petting.”

But the format isn’t the only thing THIS has carried over from the classic children’s comics. There’s also a fierce rivalry between the two groups, which writer and performer Mark insists is friendly.

“We’re all good mates, really,” he explains. “It’s just good-natured competition. I mean, Cheap Craic is definitely the best, but we’re glad to have Heavy Petting around as our sidekicks.”

James, of Heavy Petting, added: “Cheap Craic are great for warming the audience up because they provide a vital opportunity for all our fans to go to the bar while they’re on–”

THIS: Summer Loliday, The Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough, Friday 11 July, 7pm, £4 on the door.