Clubs vow 'business as normal'

British comedy clubs are mainly continuing as normal in the wake of yesterday's tragic acts of terrorism.

While a couple of gigs have been cancelled, most venues remain open in the belief that punters will seek a relief from the terrible events.

Comedians, too, seem determined to carry on, with some trying to find ways of discussing the outrage sensitively in their act.

One of the few gigs cancelled is the new topical comedy night at The Stand in Edinburgh, due to begin tonight.Venue press officer Clare Hogg said that the nature of the evening made it impossible to continue.

But the club did host its regular gay comedy event last night, after consulting with acts and audience. "It was a busy night in the end," Hogg said.

Similarly, the Comedy Dairy in Brighton went on as planned. "It was quite a weird night with a small crowd, but by the end of the night it felt completely normal," said one of the comics involved.

However, the Laughing Horse in Guildford was cancelled. Promoter Alex Petty said: "It was wholly innapropriate for a comedy gig to go ahead."

Birmingham's Comedy Kav and Sheffield's Last Laugh are among those clubs running as normal tomorrow,

Published: 12 Sep 2001