Are you sitting comfortably? The story of our Laughter-House comperes

Here at Laughter-House Lodge, Basingstoke, we've always been precious about our comperes.

Our very first compere was Danny Dawes.  I met him in 2006, when I was performing as Nessie Flange (don't ask). He took time to help this fledgling comedian.  When I opened Laughter-House Comedy Club in 2007, I turned to him.  He was brilliant.

Danny stayed with us for five years and then departed to Washington and disappeared from the comedy world.  How dare he!!  He was hugely popular.  I furrowed my brow.   There was now a Danny-sized gap at our venue.

Luck was on my side.  Luck can be found in the strangest of places. Andover, for example.

Whilst doing a particularly dire gig a couple of years before I had met Phil Dinsdale. 

I had watched, amazed as he turned a sulky group of people - who only wanted to down as many pints as possible - into a laughing comedy audience.

What a talent! But that IS Phil's talent.  His speciality.  He came to Laughter-House in 2012 armed with a dodgy moustache and great compering skills, and you, our audience, didn't want him to leave. Good news for us!  

We're lucky.  Our Laughter-House gig is very popular with comedians (she said, modestly). It's why we attract some big names.  It's one of Phil's favourites gigs too.  I know this because I pay him to say it.  

With Phil in charge our audience are happier than mice on cheeseboards.   However it's challenging for a compere to see the same people gazing at you each month from the front row.  So we pop other comperes in between.  We use the popular Rich Wilson and we've also used the very capable David Ward on a regular basis.

A few months ago The Comedy Store's Andrew Ryan compered for us. Was it his Irish accent that lured you in?  Or his skill at talking to the audience and seeing where every topic takes him?

No matter, you clearly appreciated him the way you appreciate Phil.  And so did we.  The good news is Andrew also loves compering our gig, so you'll be soon be hearing his Irish Blarney on a more regular basis.  

It's a tough skill, compering. A compere can make or break a gig.   It's always a fine balance.  And here at Laughter-House, we are so grateful to be able to bring you the best.