Funny business
Julian Hall composes rise’s indispensable Comedy Guide to south west London
Above: Comedy at The Clapham Grand
With Arthur Smith as the self-appointed Mayor of Balham, Jenny Éclair similarly penning herself as the mayoress of Camberwell and Paul Merton named after the south London suburb, it’s easy to see why our area is regarded as a breeding ground for great comedy talent. In addition to this trio, south London is also home to Jack Dee (Wandsworth), Mark Thomas (Clapham), Jo Brand (East Dulwich) and Marcus Brigstocke (Wandsworth).
One of the reasons for this prevalence of comedians might be the quantity and quality of the comedy venues on offer here. The landmarks of mirth this side of the river include Battersea Jongleurs (the first one of the successful chain) and the Banana Cabaret at The Bedford in Balham, both of which were key to the development of comedy in the capital and beyond. In fact, it’s easier to list the names of comedians who haven’t played those clubs than those that have.
Both these clubs are still going strong and they’ve been joined by some new faces in alternative comedy – venues offering both regular nights and one-off comedy festivals. If you’re looking for a laugh, then you’re in the right place. Here are rise’s picks of the southern stars:
Banana Cabaret at The Bedford
The Banana Cabaret held in an amphitheatre-style room inside The Bedford pub still has one of the best atmospheres for a comedy gig in London and is much beloved by the comics who have played there. The design gives the gigs a gladiatorial frisson but without the over-boisterousness that can afflict similar clubs. The balcony seating area allows for a curious view from side-on and almost makes you feel part of the action. Every Friday and Saturday night. Fridays: tickets £13, concs. £9. Doors open 7.30pm. Saturdays: tickets £16, concs. £13. Doors open 6.30pm.
77 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HD; 020 8682 8940; www.bananacabaret.co.uk
Battersea Jongleurs
Alongside the Comedy Store in Central London and The Tunnel Club in South East London, Battersea Jongleurs was the biggest player on the early ‘alternative comedy’ scene. Now Jongleurs is a major chain but the original, and some say best, is still offering varied bills and a representative cross-section of comedy talent. Shows take place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights, with doors opening at 7pm. The disco starts after the comedy at 11pm and finishes at 2am.
Battersea Jongleurs, The Rise, 49 Lavender Gardens, SW11 1DJ; 020 72283744; www.jongleurs.com
Battersea Arts Centre
It seems that the beloved Battersea Arts Centre is always under threat and yet after almost 30 years the venue is still going. The former Battersea Town Hall hosts the N20 comedy festival every year with shows going from June through to August. The shows received by the venue, both within and outside of the N20 festival, are often by acts who are on national tours, so quality is almost guaranteed.
Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN; 020 7223 2223; www.bac.org.uk
Comedy Carnival at The Clapham Grand
Surviving numerous incarnations, this historic venue, built in 1900, has rejuvenated itself and hosts a number of comedy nights including ‘The World Stands Up’ which is filmed for the Paramount Comedy Channel and the regular Comedy Carnival night. The small, circular nightclub-style tables on the stalls level make for an intimate atmosphere and the balcony upstairs becomes even more of a squeeze when it’s a sell-out. Every Saturday, doors open at 7pm.
21-25 St John's Hill, SW11 1TT; 020 7736 1446; www.comedycarnival.co.uk; www.theworldstandsup.com
Comedy Tree at The Walkabout
Just on the south side of Putney Bridge lies that favourite of Antipodeon haunts, the Walkabout. This is no ordinary member of the franchise though, because this pub houses the The Comedy Tree, a stand-up venue set up by comedians Pete Jonas and Erich McElroy in 2002. The duo have attracted a regular turnover of top acts and provide a much needed pocket of laughter in this part of London. Thursday and Saturday nights, doors open at 8pm. Prices on the door: Thursday £7 (£5 for members);
Saturday £9.
Comedy Tree in the Walkabout, 14 Putney High Street, SW15 1SL; 020 7736 1446; www.thecomedytree.com
Electric Mouse at the Latchmere Theatre
Along with The BAC, The Latchmere offers established comics the right atmosphere to try-out their longer one hour shows. As well as housing a few one-off shows like Edinburgh Fringe Festival warm-ups, The Latchmere Theatre is now the home to another Electric Mouse night hosted by James Mullinger.
503, Battersea Park Road, SW11 3BW; 020 7978 7040; www.theatre503.com
Electric Mouse at the Grey Goose
Though the pub on this site has gone through a number of changes there has been a comedy club here more often than not. The latest is run by the relatively new Electric Mouse empire. Apart from the lure of free lollipops the club counts amongst its comedy crop an appearance by The Office star Stephen Merchant. Shows are on the first Thursday of every month, doors 7.30pm.
The Grey Goose (formerly Smoke Rooms), 100 Clapham Park Road, SW4 7BZ; 020 7720 8902; www.thegreygoose.co.uk; www.electricmousecomedy.com
Sit-Down Sundays/Your Line or Mine at The Landor
In the hinterland between Clapham North and Brixton lies The Landor pub which plays host to a series of fun-packed Sunday evening comedy nights. The second and third Sundays of each month are ‘Sit Down Sundays’ – sketch nights hosted by and all-boy and all-girl team respectively. On the final Sunday of each month the venue hosts ‘Your Line or Mine’ an improvised comedy night.
Landor Theatre, 70 Landor Road, SW9 9PH; 020 7737 7276; www.landortheatre.co.uk