Germany imports British stand-up

The Comedy Store is expanding to Berlin.

Britain's best-known venue is linking up with a German club in a move owner Don Ward says will "help the Germans develop a sense of humour".

And comics from the UK circuit will get the chance to perform there - in English.

Ward told the Manchester Evening News: "There's absolutely no comedy at all in Germany and this is the first proper club there."

However, the venue Ward is working with, Club Quatsch, has been pioneering stand-up for a decade from its base in Hamburg.

Next month, it moves to a 300-seater venue in the capital, and that's where the Comedy Store comes in.

Ward said: "It's German-speaking but we're also bringing our big guns over to show the way.

We're sure they'll understand because the Germans' command of English is amazing. Whether they get the jokes remains to be seen, though.

Although stand-up is virtually unknown in Germany, there is a comedy-cabaret scene there.

Published: 21 Oct 2002