Wednesday, August 14, 2024 As Edinburgh ’s world-famous Fringe Festival gets into full swing, LNER’s Stuart Harle knows exactly what it takes to perform night in, night out at the legendary comedy and arts festival. Stuart, who works as a travel consultant at the LNER Travel Centre in Newcastle, completed a successful festival run of his comedy act ‘Psychic Stu’ appearing at the East Side performance centre for 24 nights. While he will be taking a break from running his own show this year, Stuart will still be appearing in compilation shows and open nights at the Fringe, as well as performing regularly on the Newcastle comedy circuit.
Speaking about his journey to Edinburgh, Stuart said: “I had an accidental start into comedy back in lock down, when I ordered a crystal ball online. I recorded a little spoof video to cheer up a friend which ended up getting some attention on social media and since then, I’ve not looked back. “I started recording and posting a few more videos, which were spotted by a comedian who was producing his own show at the Fringe.
He contacted me and asked me to do a seven-minute ‘Psychic Stu’ sketch in his show. That gave me the confidence to carry on performing, which culminated in my own show at last year’s Fringe.” When he is not performing as ‘Psychic Stu’ Stuart organises shows through his own production company Tall and Small Comedy, giving comedy newcomers the chance to take to the stage, as well as bringing some well know faces such as ‘Inbetweeners’ actor Joe Thomas and ‘Benidorm’s’ Crissy Rock, to the North-East.
Stuart credits the flexibility and support he receives from LNER with how he manages both careers. He said: “My managers are great and understand the commitment involved in performing. During last year’s Fringe run, they checked in on me to make sure I was doing ok, and the support of colleagues onboard the Newcastle to Edinburgh service me kept me going too.
” Since his Edinburgh run, Stuart’s act has gone from strength to strength. He’s recently appeared on the same bill as household names such as ‘Live at the Apollo’ comedian Steven Bailey, comedy legend Mick Miller, ‘Have I Got News for You’ panelist Hal Cruttenden, Scottish Comedian of the Year Larry Dean and ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me out of Here’ winner Joe Pasquale, to name a few. Stuart said: “It’s amazing to be on the same bill as people who are so experienced and are so generous to share their advice.
Joe asked me when I was going to give up the day job to focus on comedy 100 per cent but I told him I don’t plan to leave the railway any time soon. I love working for LNER as much as I love comedy. The two careers complement each other well.
If I can keep an audience full of comedy goers happy, I can keep LNER customers smiling too!” Speaking about Stuart’s dedication to both the railway and his growing comedy career, Greville Jones, LNER shift leader at Newcastle Station said: “Everyone at LNER has a real desire to ensure our customers are happy and Stuart personifies that in both in his day job and as ‘Psychic Stu’, bringing smiles and laughs to both customers and his comedy fans. We are really proud of his achievements on the comedy circuit, and we all wish him continued success.”.
