In a world where the LGBTQ+ community is still fighting for representation, the founders of Queer Comedy Club in London are paving the way for a new kind of safe space. David Ian, Jeremy Topp, and Kate Dale, three comedians who have been hosting a successful queer comedy night, have decided to take it to the next level and establish a permanent venue.
The club is set to officially open on May 11 in Archway, north London, with an exciting line-up of talented comedians like Dee Allum, Ben Pollard, Kathy Maniura, and Josh Jones. The founders hope that by having a permanent venue, it will “signal to the queer community that stand-up is for them too.”
The idea for the club came from a personal need for a space where queer people could enjoy comedy without the fear of hearing offensive and insensitive material. As Ian explains, “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.”
With Mondays and Tuesdays reserved for new acts and new material, and Thursdays featuring established acts, like Jessica Fostekew, Stephen Bailey, Jen Ives, and James Barr, the Queer Comedy Club aims to bring a sense of community to the LGBTQ+ stand-up scene.
As Ian notes, “much of gay culture revolves around bars, clubs and drag”, but having a comedy club provides a different type of space for the community. “Seeing our own lives and experiences held up for delighted, joyous, celebratory ridicule can be incredibly cathartic, bonding, and hilarious,” he explains.
With this new venue, the Queer Comedy Club hopes to not only break stereotypes but also provide a space where new and established queer comedians can showcase their talent to their own people. By creating a safe space for the community, the club is setting an example for others to follow.