Review: A New Comedy Night in Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland's Park Head Hotel tried something new this summer
On 30th July Park Head Hotel hosted its inaugural comedy night. Compered by Northern comedian Matt Reed, we knew we were in good hands.
Upon arrival, we’re seated in the Oak Room Restaurant and catch up over a bottle of Sauvignon. We’re slightly early for our reservation and the atmosphere builds as more excited attendees head through the door and everyone shares in the excitement of this brand new event.
We’ve dined at Park Head Hotel a few times over the years (and enjoyed a stay here in 2023), but this time there’s a special menu for the Comedy Night. I take a liking to the slow cooked pork terrine to start which is paired with a not-too-sweet burnt apple purée, rosemary crackling and pickled fennel. My mum meanwhile enjoys her smoked mackerel paté with salt and pepper crostini and a pea shoot salad. So as not to double up on meat, I decide against the chargrilled bacon chop and instead thoroughly enjoy a hefty portion of roasted Mediterranean vegetable orzo bake which is topped with rocket and Parmesan salt and drizzled in a balsamic glaze. My mum has no concerns about doubling on seafood and clears her plate of king prawn Thai curry, which is served with basmati rice and a side of prawn crackers. We’re satisfied but we never skip dessert and my caramelised chocolate mousse with strawberry and mint gel and crushed shortbread is delightfully rich. My mum savours her poached rhubarb and stem ginger granola Eton mess (another generous portion), by which point we’re certainly fuelled for an evening of belly laughs, so we head to Park Head’s function room for the intimate gig.
Matt brings the energy as always and despite a smaller crowd than he might be used to, he brings his trademark stage presence and quickly starts poking fun at members of the audience, and North East locations from Newcastle’s Bigg Market to his previous home of Sunderland. The first act on stage is Newcastle’s comedic rising star Louise Young – half Turkish, half Geordie and with a Scouse girlfriend, her material is anecdotal with laugh-out-loud punchlines. A short interval allows us to gather ourselves, and grab a drink from the bar, before it’s Wigan-born comedian Chris Washington’s turn to entertain (the evening is a fantastic celebration of Northern humour). Chris rolls off joke after joke and despite less audience interaction, we’re hanging onto every word. The energy in the room post-show proves the success of this inaugural event, and should it become a regular thing we’ll certainly be back.
