New project to promote live stand-up

Four comedy clubs are moving to London’s West End, each for one night only, in a bid to boost their post-lockdown finances.

Outside the Box Comedy Club, which is usually in Kingston, Surrey;  Bring Your Own Baby Comedy; North London non-binary variety night The Enby Show; and Comedy Store new material night Old Rope will each be taking over the Vaudeville Theatre for one-off performances.

The initiative has been backed by ride hailing service Free Now, and the proceeds from each gig will go directly to the promoters.

General manager Mariusz Zabrocki said: ‘Supporting London’s social scene as it recovers is something that really matters to us. That’s why we’re so excited to partner with this event and help London’s existing comedy nights shine rather than doing something that competes.’

First up on November 8 is The Enby Show,  with regular MC Carrot introducing resident duo Cryo & Flick, drag star Anubis Finch and stand-ups  David Morgan and  Sofie Hagen.

A week later, Bring Your Own Baby Comedy  founders Alyssa Kyria and Carly Smallman  introduce Wendy Wason and Jen Brister for an 11.30am show; while the evening is given over to Tiff Stevenson’s  Old Rope, featuring Nish Kumar, Fin Taylor, Rachel Fairburn, Eleanor Tiernan, John Hastings and Loyiso Gola.

The final instalment of the series, entitled Comedy on the Road with Free Now, is on Monday November 29.  Then Outside the Box Comedy Club’s regular host Maff Brown welcomes Hal Cruttenden, Laura Lexx and Scott Bennett.

The gigs are the  brainchild of producer and agent Corrie McGuire and are supported by top comedy promoter Phil McIntyre Entertainment and theatre owner Nimax.

McGuire said: ‘I’m delighted that Free Now are so enthusiastically supporting live comedy after the challenges of the past 18 months, and that we can shine a spotlight on some of the best gigs London has to offer. The nursery slopes of local clubs nurture the next generation of comedy superstars so it’s vital we get out there and support them.’

Published: 14 Oct 2021