Famous For Comedy at Highlight

The former Jongleurs venues are to be renamed Highlight in the New Year, with comedy nights relaunched under the name ‘Famous For Comedy’.

The shake-up follows the collapse of Jongleurs owner Regent Inns this year. The company was put into ‘pre-pack’ administration and immediately brought by its existing management team in a move that meant it lost the rights to the 26-year-old brand name.

Clubs in Southampton, Nottingham, Oxford, Bristol and East London closed – with the remaining ten being called Highlight from January 8. The sites will also host live music and other entertainment events.

John Leslie, chief executive of the new parent company Intertain, said: ‘We’re currently working on a host of innovative entertainment ideas to make comedy nights out better than ever and give people new reasons to get off their sofas and into our venues.’

He said the company is planning a tie-up with broadcaster Comedy Central – which relies on people staying on their sofas for its audience – to launch the new brand.

He said: ‘We are currently in discussions to explore ways that together we can change the comedy landscape and rejuvenate comedy on the high street.’

The company has launched a new website for its Famous For Comedy nights, heavily promoting them as venues for stag and hen parties, which is what Jongleurs became known for.

Julia Chamberlain, Famous For Comedy’s live comedy booker added: ‘The whole Famous For Comedy’ team is looking forward to providing people with the funniest nights out they’ve had in ages.’

Meanwhile, Jongleurs founder Maria Kempinska has started promoting comedy again under the original brand name, with a gig in Hammersmith, West London.

Published: 15 Dec 2009