VILLAGERS near York are having the last laugh as their village hall becomes a mecca for some of comedy's biggest stars.

Elvington’s modest village hall - with just 140 seats - has been regularly packed to capacity since clinical pharmacist and entertainment promoter Andy Owen staged the first Comedy Night back in 2014.

Andy’s headline act that night was Britain’s Got Talent runner-up and Phoenix Nights guest star Steve Royle.

And in news to bring a smile to locals' faces, Steve is coming back to Elvington on Saturday July 17 for two one-hour family shows.

All proceeds from the ticket sales are going to a good cause - to boost funds for Elvington Under 5’s playgroup that needs a new roof.

But that's not all - Andy has lined up a full programme of comedy nights following a 15-month Covid hiatus, with Mock The Week’s Alan Cochrane, plus Phoenix Nights and Coronation Street star Justin Moorhouse headlining, under the guidance of madcap MC Jonathan Mayor.

Over the years, Andy - who by day is a clinical pharmacist working in GP practice and one of the Covid vaccinators at Askham Bar and Haxby - has attracted an A-list of top comedians to this corner of North Yorkshire.

Comedy greats such as Tom Wrigglesworth, Radio 4’s Kiri Pritchard-McLean, John Bishop’s writer Alex Boardman and Britain’s Got Talent winner The Lost Voice Guy have all trodden Elvington’s boards.

But how come some of British comedy’s biggest names are finding their way to such an unlikely backwater?

“As a teenager growing up in Barnsley I was a huge fan of 80s pop star Howard Jones,” said Andy. “Out of the blue, in 2004 I asked his manager if I could stage a gig – we sold out a 400-capacity venue and people came from as far away as Finland and Germany.

“The next thing you know, I was staging other events for Howard and another 80s band Haircut One Hundred, including two gigs at London’s O2.”

July 17 isn’t the only landmark date for Elvington’s return to post-Covid normality. On Saturday, October 9 Tom Binns from TV’s 8/10 Cats Do Countdown brings his Ivan Brackenbury, Psychic Comedium and Ventriloquist comedy sets to the village hall.

“I like to think it really helps builds community spirit, and it’s something different for a small rural village.” said Andy.

For tickets and information on forthcoming events, visit www.wegottickets.com and search for Elvington.

Encore with Andy Owen

We asked Andy what was his best booking?

"The best booking is a difficult one. You could say Lost Voice Guy before he won BGT I suppose , but also the headliners for the July gig, Justin Moorhouse and Alun Cochrane are also up there."

Who would be his dream booking?

"I would love to be able to book one of the comedy greats for one of their ‘work in progress’ gigs that they perform to small audiences before arena tours. I’d love to get Paul Sinha here."