Low ticket sales and new lockdown fears blamed

Organisers have pulled the plug on a second raft of drive-in comedy ventures, blaming insufficient ticket sales.

The Drive-In Club, has pulled the rest of its gigs in Brent Cross shopping centre North London, with immediate effect including appearances by Bill Bailey, Eddie Izzard, Milton Jones and the No Such Thing As  A Fish podcast team.

It follows the cancellation of a number of Comedy Store branded gigs last night after the wider Utilita Live From The Drive-In series was dropped, citing fears of further localised coronavirus lockdowns.

In a statement on their website, producers of The Drive-In Club, which also featured movies, music gigs and even football screenings, said: ‘To say that we are broken-hearted to be delivering this news is an understatement.

‘This project was based on an altruistic ideal of bringing artists and live entertainment fans gently out of lockdown in a format that is completely safe. 

‘Sadly the costs of such a venture have escalated in line with the changing guidelines for hosting events in these unprecedented times. Such costs have not been met with corresponding ticket sales to enable this project to run until its completion which have been further hindered with the latest developments regarding localised lockdowns.

‘The Drive In club has made this difficult decision to keep everyone safe without compromising the quality of the shows and the safety of all those involved. We are truly sorry for the disappointment that this has caused for artists crew and fans.’

Comic and bestselling auhtor Adam Kay, who was due to appear this weekend, tweeted: 'I am disappointed and deeply sorry to everyone who booked, but clearly out of my hands.'

Other drive-in ventures are still going ahead, including other Comedy Store branded drive-ins  under the Car Park Party banner, and Mark Watson’s Carpool Comedy gigs, under the auspices of Drive And Dine Theatre. 

And the relaxation of lockdown conditions has paved the way to outdoor gigs, such as shows at Regents Park Open-Air Theatre in London, in Bristol's Lakota courtyard, and the touring Pop-Up Picnic festival in Bicester, Walton-on-Thames, Cambridge and Canterbury.

Published: 16 Jul 2020