Manford’s Comedy Club: Jason Manford launches UK-wide comedy nights
Jason Manford has launched a series of affordable comedy nights across the UK to encourage audiences to visit local comedy clubs.
Manford’s Comedy Club will feature a selection of the Salford-born comedian’s favourite acts who are currently working on the comedy circuit to encourage audiences to go to see comedians other than those they recognise from television.
Justin Moorhouse, Alun Cochrane, Ellie Taylor, and his brother Colin Manford are amongst those set to appear at the evenings across Manchester, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire, with plans to extend the project to a range of other towns including Berwick-Upon-Tweed and St Helens.
Going to see big names, such as Sarah Millican, John Bishop and Micky Flanagan, in arenas can become an “expensive evening”, he writes, with “£25+ a ticket, babysitter, taxi, a meal beforehand, drinks after.”
“Before long you’re spending well over 100 quid for a night out.”
Although comedy clubs are usually less expensive than touring shows of those who regularly appear on the TV, Manford says that many audiences are likely to spend more money on something that they know they will enjoy, rather than “taking the gamble” on someone who they have not heard of.
Manford, who last year deterred his fans from seeing him at an Oxford venue due to what he claimed were high booking fees, has selected his “favourite comedians from the circuit” in the hope that his fans will trust his recommendations and visit intimate comedy clubs.
He wrote: “There is a circuit of comics in this country who haven’t been on telly for a number of reasons, maybe they’re up and coming and haven’t made it yet, maybe they were on a late night stand up show in the 80s and called the host a nobhead, or maybe they just have a severe drinking problem.”
“Either way, there are funny people out there who want to make you laugh on a regular basis, and I’m gonna fix it for you to see them.”
Although Manford will not himself appear at all of the performances, it is anticipated that he will make occasional unscheduled guest appearances.
Manford’s Comedy Club launches in March. Details of venues and listings are available online.
