The UK’s first permanent LGBTQ+ comedy club opens its doors in Archway, London, this May.
The Queer Comedy Club will give queer audiences and their friends the chance to enjoy stand-up comedy, knowing they’ll be hearing relevant, relatable and most importantly of all, rib-ticklingly funny comedy that reflects their own lives. It will also be a safe and supportive space where queer comics can cut their comedy teeth.
The club officially launches on Thursday 11th May with: Dee Allum (nominated BBC New Comedian of the year 2021), Ben Pollard (finalist LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2022, Finalist So You think You’re Funny 2022), Kathy Maniura (winner of sketch off, finalist in So You think you’re Funny 2021 & Funny Women ‘One to Watch’ 2020), and Josh Jones (nominated Best New Comer in Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2022, BBC New Comedy Award finalist, appeared on 8 out of 10 cats, Jonathan Ross’ Comedy club, Late Night Mash, The Jonathan Ross Show, & hosts BBC’s Fast Food Face Off.)
The Queer Comedy Club is the brainchild of three queer comedians – David Ian (pictured), Jeremy Topp, and Kate Dale and is born out of their experiences on the stand-up circuit. They started running their own comedy night but felt establishing a permanent venue was important, a signal to the queer community and their allies that stand-up was for them too.
“We were uncomfortable inviting our queer friends to come and watch us perform because we were taking them into what was essentially a very straight and macho environment, with no guarantee about the type of material they’d hear” says David. “It’s just not the sort of place we’d usually socialise in. It made us realise there was a gap in the market – and our community – for a stand-up comedy club that would feel like their space.”
“So much of gay culture revolves around bars, clubs and drag – and we love all that – but it’s important to be able to offer something in addition. Seeing our own lives and experiences held up for delighted, joyous, celebratory ridicule can be incredibly cathartic, bonding and hilarious. We wanted to bring that to the LGBTQ+ community at the same time as giving new and established queer comedians a chance to perform to their own people.”
For Kate, performing at QCC nights has played an important role in her coming out. “Talking about your sex life on stage is one way of telling your friends and family,” she says, “but being able to make jokes about all aspects of our lives to an audience you know will understand has helped me process it all. And it’s fun!”
Jeremy completed the trio shortly after a chance meeting. "I love all comedians, however queer performers have a brutal honesty, and life stories I can resonate with. Helping newer acts feel welcomed into the scene has been a passion of mine for years. After meeting Kate and David at a gig, we clicked immediately and discussed the gap we had all felt in the comedy circuit. I immediately knew their goal of establishing a permanent queer comedy space was something I had to be involved with.”
The Big Thursday Show every week will feature established comedians as well as the best emerging talent, with comedians such as Jessica Fostekew, Stephen Bailey, Jen Ives and James Barr already booked to appear. Mondays and Tuesdays see new acts and new material nights with QCC Raw for queer comedians, and Not Totally QCC which features allies and friends too. The club is also hosting a number of one-off events, previews and works in progress.
Pictured: David Ian onstage
THE QUEER COMEDY CLUB
Downstairs, 114 Junction Road, London, N19 5LB
TICKET PRICING
Monday & Tuesday - FREE
The Big Thursday Show - £10
Find out more and book tickets at queercomedyclub.co.uk or follow the club on Insta @thequeercomedyclub.
