Friends have spoken of their shock at the sudden death of an ‘incredibly funny and compassionate’ York comedian and campaigner.
Alistair Greaves was the man behind one of the city’s most popular comedy nights. He sadly died last Wednesday.
He produced Burning Duck Comedy, which brought top stand-up talent from around the country to venues including The Basement, The Crescent and the Theatre@41.
Al showcased the very best of stand-up in the city, from up-and-coming performers to established international comedians.
Last year was the tenth year of running Burning Duck Comedy in York, which initially began in the Black Swan pub in 2014, before the Crescent Community Venue became its home.
He hosted the Woodsduck Comedy Festival in 2015, and was a regular performer in the Great Yorkshire Fringe in York.
He also gave many acts their first ever gig, when he booked the comedy cellar at Verve bar in Leeds.
Alongside his friend Phillip Smith, Al ran the Yorkshire Comedy Industry Forum.
The Facebook Forum was set up to support northern comedians and promoters in getting stage time, advice and support.
In recent years, he continued to promote newer acts under his learning ducklings nights.
He was also a talented musician and his act would often include a tune on his ukulele.
During the lockdowns he started to create “synth wave” songs, that he hoped could one day be used in a film soundtrack.
Outside of performance, he was a vegan and ran an allotment, regularly posting pictures of his work there to his Instagram channel.
‘Wore his heart on his sleeve’
Tributes have poured in from people across the city for Al and his achievements.
His friend, Phillip Smith, shared these kind words with YorkMix.
“Al was one of the most caring, knowledgeable and interesting people I’ve had the honour to know.
“He put all his effort into making whatever project he was doing, the best it could be.
“He knew what his audiences and acts wanted and was a unique talent, The world is a much emptier place without Al in it.”
Deputy Council Leader Pete Kilbane told YorkMix that the news came as a huge shock.
“News of Al Greaves’ passing has come as a terrible shock to the arts community in York. Al was an incredibly funny man who cared deeply about the society we live in.
“He wore his heart on his sleeve and campaigned passionately to try and make the world a better place, and the comedy gigs he produced certainly had that immediate effect.
“Al Greaves’ ‘Burning Duck Comedy’ brand on the bill was a guarantee of a great night out, with acts that could be thought provoking and side splitting, often at the same time.
“Sincere condolences to Al’s family and many friends. His untimely death leaves a huge hole in the cultural life of the city.”
Another friend of Al’s, Simon Pattinson, said “Al was someone who had a quirky humour and loved comedy.
“He was someone who had become an integral member of the comedy circuit, bringing some incredible comedians to York over the years reflecting his own taste and always getting it on the money which audiences loved.
“He will leave a big hole that I know everyone he worked with has felt hugely. Not only that but he was a kind soul who always had time for people and would talk to anyone.”
Promoter Joe Coates posted this tribute on the Crescent’s Facebook page: “Last week we learned of the passing of our friend and colleague Alistair Greaves, who left us suddenly on Wednesday 8th January.
“Many will know Al as the brains behind York-based independent comedy producers Burning Duck Comedy.
“With a genuine love for an oddball sense of humour, Al brought a widely eclectic programme of artists to York & Leeds over an eleven-year period, from it’s initial home in the upstairs room of The Black Swan, to The Basement in The City Screen Picturehouse before finding more permanent regular homes here at The Crescent and Theatre41 on Monkgate.
“Al was a brilliant promoter, open-minded and art focused.
“Working on his events would often involve long conversations about a new sound on his synthesizer, the layout of his allotment, a fab new vegan restaurant in town, or highly enthusiastic (and often very silly!) new ideas for hosting live comedy.
“Al was also keenly engaged in politics. He was a member of the Labour Party and more recently the Green Party with whom Al helped with fundraising and canvassing. He was considered and principled, but above all loved to engage in conversation with others, a beautiful humanist.
“We will all miss him very much. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.”
The post was met with shock and sadness, with individuals sharing their own memory of the comedy legend.
Some of the comments read:
- “Al was incredibly important to helping me get into comedy outside of university, I’ll miss him deeply. Someone who really passionately believed in what they did.”
- “Such a loss and as everyone has said such a lovely, lovely man. So kind and supportive. I messaged a few times when I was getting really ‘down’ about performing and he always emailed me back with encouraging words.”
- “What incredibly sad news! Lovely sweet guy with a great off the wall style of comedy. Always remember him walking on stage with that carrier bag full of an eclectic mix of stuff.”