Comedy
Capital of a nation famed for its sophisticated sense of humor, London takes its comedy seriously. Standup is the mainstay,
but improvisation fares well. Most clubs only run once a week or once a month, so call, or check listings in Time Out or a
newspaper to keep up to speed. Summertime comedy seekers should note that London empties of comedians in August, when most
head to Edinburgh to take part in the annual festival (trying to win an award); but June and July are full of feverish comic
activity as performers test out new material prior to heading north.
- Canal Cafe Theatre, Delamere Terr. (☎ 7289 6054; www.canalcafetheatre.com), above the Bridge House pub; in North London. Warwick Ave. One of the few comedy venues to specialize
in sketch comedy (as opposed to standup). Cozy red velvet chairs and a raised rear balcony means that everyone gets a good
view. Grab dinner below and enjoy your drinks around the small tables. Box office opens 30min. before performance. Weekly
changing shows W-Sa 7:30 and 9:30pm (£5, concessions £4). “Newsrevue,” Th-Sa 9:30pm and Su 9pm, is London’s longest-running
comedy sketch show, a hilarious satire of weekly current events (£9, concessions £7). Both shows £14. £1.50 membership included
in ticket price.
- Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon St. (club inquiries ☎ 7839 6642, tickets 08700 602 340; www.thecomedystore.biz), in Soho. Piccadilly Circus. The UK’s top comedy club (founded in a former
strip club) sowed the seeds that gave rise to Absolutely Fabulous and Whose Line is it Anyway? All 400 seats have decent views
of stage. Grab food at the bar before the show and during the intermission (burgers £6). Tu Cutting Edge (contemporary news-based
satire); W and Su London’s well-reviewed Comedy Store Players improv; Th-Sa standup. Shows Tu-Th and Su 8pm; F-Sa 8pm, midnight. Book in advance. 18+. Tu-W and F midnight
shows and all Su shows £16; concessions £8; Th-F early show and all Sa shows £15. Happy hour 6:30-7:30pm. Box office open
M-Th and Su 6:30-9:30pm, F-Sa 6:30pm-1:15am. AmEx/MC/V.
- Chuckle Club, at the Three Tuns Bar, Houghton St. (☎ 7476 1672; www.chuckleclub.com), in Holborn. Holborn. From Holborn, walk south on Kingsway, turn left onto Aldwych, and then turn
left onto Houghton St. It is in LSE’s Clare Market Building on the right. Laid-back and unpretentious, this is not one of
those “comedy is hip” clubs. A changing lineup of at least 3 headline acts and many tryouts guarantees more belly laughs than
chuckles. Expect quality heckling from student-heavy audience. Every show opens with a rendition of the Chuckle Club Song.
Policy of representing non-racist, non-sexist, and non-homophobic acts. 18+. Shows Sa 8:30pm; doors open at 7:45pm. Ticket
admits you to the club that follows the show (until 3am). £10, students £8.
- Downstairs at the King’s Head, 2 Crouch End Hill (☎ 8340 1028; www.downstairsatthekingshead.com), in North London. Finsbury Park; take the Wells Terr. Exit, then Bus #W7; get off after
the bus turns right. One of London’s oldest comedy clubs, in a cozy space under a pub. Shows 8 or 8:30pm; doors open 30min.
before performance. M salsa class and dancing; Th tryouts bring up to 16 new acts; Sa-Su “comedy cabarets” mix up to 5 acts,
from standup to songs to ventriloquism; Su 2-5pm jazz. Cover M £7, concessions £4; Th £4/3; Sa £9/7; Su £7/5.
Overview