Including a League Against Tedium revival

Comedians are to take over an historic City of London institution for a pop-up venue this Christmas.

The Heroes Grotto Of Comedy will host shows including Stewart Lee, Josie Long and Simon Munnery – reviving his domineering League Against Tedium character for the first time in several years.

The venue, an extension of comedian and promoter Bob Slayer's Heroes Edinburgh venues, will take place in the once-lavish Throgmortons restaurant.

Founded in 1900 and the flagship of J. Lyons & Co and for the best part of a century, its three floors of wood-pannelled restaurants were the unofficial boardroom of the financial community.

However it closed its doors in 2010 and has lain empty ever since.

Slayer said: 'Now we’re going to turn it into something altogether more worthwhile... a glorious creative hub presenting some of the hottest, award winning names in comedy.'

But he vowed 'no evil bankers' - or at least no City Christmas works dos.

The venue will host the annual alternative pantomime put together by the Weirdos collective, Arthur Smith’s Pissed Up Chatshow and a version of cult hit The Dark Room.

Other comics appearing in the venue from December 3 to 18 include Edinburgh award winner John Kearns, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer and Alfie Brown.

Lee, Long and Munnery's League Against Tedium will be appearing in a charity gig organised by Laugh Out London on December 15 alongside Pappy's, Nish Kumar and Sara Pascoe.

Listings are here and tickets on sale here

Published: 4 Nov 2014