By placing high-calibre preview shows in Barnard Castle ahead of Edinburgh Fringe, Funny Way To Be is not just delivering laughs – it’s enhancing the region’s cultural economy. Founded by director Peter Eric Dixon in 2020, Dixon’s longstanding role as Managing Director and event programmer is further reinforced by his work at The Witham Arts Centre.
Over the next few weekends in July, Funny Way To Be is staging key events at The Witham to showcase brand-new Edinburgh Fringe material while supporting local business and creative exchange. On Saturday 19th July, they present the MZA Comedy Sneak Peeks – an Edinburgh “preview mini-tour” featuring Scots comedians Craig Hill and Connor Burns, a hit from 2024 that sold out last year.
The initiative continues on Saturday 26th July with a full programme of four one-hour preview shows, headlined by award-winning acts including Eric Rushton (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year; Channel 4’s Sean Lock Comedy Award), Sooz Kempner, Marjolein Robertson, and regional favourite Gavin Webster. Tickets are individual or bundled with a day pass model, priced competitively (£9 per show, £25 Early Bird/£30 full Day Pass), encouraging fuller attendance and longer stays in the town.
Funny Way To Be’s use of TicketSource as their ticketing platform has been crucial in professionalising the operation. By setting unreserved seating on a 250‑capacity venue, they reduce no-shows and facilitate optimised crowd building – and the platform’s real-time analytics enable instant reporting on ticket returns and performance. Peter Dixon has credited TicketSource with streamlined promotion via the club’s website and successful email campaigns to approximately 2,000 subscribers.
Financially, this series of comedy gigs offers excellent value compared to Edinburgh parks and Fringe venues: it delivers early‑stage revenue and media buzz at significantly lower expenditure. Promotion and community engagement are amplified by The Witham’s box-office support, allowing local purchase during The Witham’s usual opening hours.
This dual-purpose model – bringing Fringe-quality comedy to Barnard Castle while stimulating local economic and cultural activity – demonstrates a regional business strategy that merges arts entrepreneurship with community impact. The July programme underlines Funny Way To Be’s role as both cultural curator and savvy business operator, delivering growth through smart pricing, tech‑enabled ticketing, and strategic partnerships.
To explore the full July line‑up and secure tickets, visit funnywaytobe.com.
