The Comedy Clubhouse

MC: Gareth Harrison
Gareth opens the night. He’s the host with the most (or at least the most banter). He’ll warm you up, get the crowd going, toss a bit of local colour in—“where you from, mate?”, “who’s having a pint if diesel?”—that kind of thing. He knows how to keep things moving so you’re not sat waiting for ages. 

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Headliner
Tony Burgess is an award winning stand-up comedian, writer and actor based in Manchester: With his instantly engaging stage persona, Tony Burgess weaves fantastic gags into sometimes surreal stories about northern family life, which for over 25 years has proved a hit with the crowds on the UK comedy circuit.

 “great, well crafted gags” The Times

 Tony was the winner of the prestigious City Life Comedian of the Year (other winners include John Bishop and Peter Kay) came runner up in So You Think You’re Funny and was nominated for best stand up and writer at the North West comedy awards. Tony’s been a regular compere of the long-established Frog and Bucket Comedy club for over 20 years, a founder member of the weekly topical show at the Comedy Store in Manchester and has supported household names like Johnny Vegas on National Theatre tours. 

“fantastically rude from start to finish” Student direct

 Tony is also a successful writer: His plays, Fire Salad and Doorway, premiered at The Royal Exchange Studio Theatre in Manchester. 

“…finds the comic and absurd in difficult situations…” The Guardian. 

“While making people laugh sometimes uncomfortably, the play is strong enough to chisel and nag at the conscience reminding it’s audience about people they ignore…” 

The Times 

He wrote on the first two series of cult BBC 3 sitcom Ideal, co-wrote a Sony Award winning Radio 4 comedy, The Nightclass, with Johnny Vegas “first rate acting….great characterisation and clever writing….”, and penned his own seven part BBC sitcom The Visit, which played to much acclaim on both BBC3 and BBC1. 

“Around the simple premise, writer Tony Burgess sets up a series of blink and you’ll miss ‘em one liners, managing to draw soap sized story arcs for his characters with deceptive ease…” The Times on The Visit

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What to Expect

Arrive, find a seat (the club’s welcoming, you’ll feel right at home)

MC gets things rolling, maybe 15-20 mins of warm-up

Loads of great acts

Short interval (grab another drink)

Headliner

The whole thing run by Gobful—professional, but still local, still friendly.

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Why It’s Worth It
Because it’s local. Big names, but not so far you feel removed. You’re with people who speak your language, who know Northern life. You’ll laugh at the familiar, you’ll think just a bit, and you’ll come away saying “that was a good night out"