One of the UK’s most famous comedy clubs celebrates the launch of their new venue in Leamington Spa with comedians Andrew O’Neill, Guz Khan, Matt Richardson and Reginald D Hunter on Sat 8 February. And the venue carries on with a bang, with a top of the crop line-up already booked over the next few months, with names including Daliso Chaponda, Diane Spencer, Gary Delaney, Hal Cruttenden, Lou Conran and Paul Foot.
Darrell Martin’s critically acclaimed Just the Tonic began in Nottingham over 25 years ago and has become known as one of the most respected comedy venues in the country, playing host to countless up-and-coming comics as well as the most established names throughout the UK. Just the Tonic is now one of the leading comedy venues in Birmingham, Camden, Leicester, Nottingham, Reading, Watford, as well as leading iconic venues at Leicester Comedy Festival and the mighty Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The new Just the Tonic will be housed at the iconic Leamington Assembly Hall, a stunning Art-Deco building the in the heart of Leamington Spa. Built in 1926 and originally called The Bath Assembly Hall, it was soon renamed 'The Palais de Danse', where dancer Robert Creelman was master of ceremonies and music was provided by resident players The Jack Southern Band. With dances held the venue throughout the 30s and 40s, it was popular with local-based American servicemen (during this time the venue was known for its own dance step The Palais Glide). In the late 2000s The Assembly underwent a £3 million refurbishment and hosted a variety of artists including Brian May, Gary Newman, Lou Reed, Razorlight, Soul II Soul, Billy Ocean and Goldfrapp but the building fell into disrepair and closed in the summer 2019.
Darrell Martin, Just the Tonic Director, said: ‘I’m very excited to be opening a new Just the Tonic at the Assembly and to be bringing some of the top comedians who already play with us in our venues across the country to Leamington Spa. It is very exciting to see this great Grade II listed building alive again, it is a really fantastic space for comedy. From promising newcomers to the top of the comedy crop, I’m looking forward to seeing hundreds of people laughing to what we do best. Launching with some ridiculously great line ups, Just the Tonic at the Assembly will be one of the most dynamic comedy clubs in the region. I’m also very excited with our plans to work alongside Leamington Spa Comedy Festival in the future and hope to add to the quality and diversity already in the city.’
With past performers including the likes of Ricky Gervais, Matt Lucas, Al Murray, Bill Bailey, Stewart Lee, Mark Thomas, Simon Pegg, Noel Fielding and Dylan Moran, and with Ross Noble, Daniel Kitson and Johnny Vegas all being regular comperes at the club, there is no wonder that Just the Tonic is expanding once again.
For full line up and details, visit www.justthetonic.com/leamington-spa-comedy/
