New ventures in theatres instead

Jason Manford is closing his weekly comedy clubs in Manchester and Cardiff – and turning his Birmingham gig monthly.

Players Bar in Birmingham was the first weekly venue in the Manfords chain, which aims to use the comedian’s fame to entice punters back into club gigs. From that flagship site, which opened in May last year, Manfords now operates in more than 20 venues across the country.

But from this month, that Midlands club will operate monthly rather than weekly, while his nights in the Tiger Tiger nightclubs in Manchester and Cardiff are to stop completely,

The Cardiff club only opened in January, when Manford praised the venue as a ‘great dark atmospheric room that’s had comedy in the past so knows exactly what it’s doing. Gonna be ace!’

And as recently as March law firm Kuits, which helped broker the deal, said: ‘The arrangement between Manford’s and Tiger Tiger is a great commercial opportunity for both companies.’

However, while closing these clubs, Manford has signed deals with four theatres to stage stand-up nights under his banner: Chorley Little Theatre, Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, Brindley Theatre in Runcorn, and Northwich Memorial Court.

Manford, who is currently on tour with The Producers, told Chortle: ‘It has been a learning curve in our first year and we have tried Lot of different types of venues

‘We have learned that we all like purpose built performing spaces. There are always exceptions to this rule and across the country there are Lot of successful comedy nights in pubs and clubs including two of ours at Newcastle City football ground and Pryzm in Leeds, which is a lovely room.’

And he spoke highly of the new venues, saying: ‘I remember when I was on the circuit feeling like playing a small theatre was always a real treat, like when the Comedy Store would book you into Durham Gala. That’s how we want our comics to feel when they see a Manford’s gig in the diary.’

When launching the clubs, Manford – who does not generally appear at the nights – conceded the venture would initially make a loss, but said that his aim was not to make a fortune but revive interest in club comedy.

He said at the time: ‘There is a circuit of brilliant comics in this country who haven’t been on telly for a number of reasons… funny people who thrive in the live arena and want to make you laugh on a regular basis, so I’m going to tell you who they are.’

Published: 4 Jun 2015