MIKE GUNN & SEAN COLLINS 'REGRETS' TOUR

I've just realised that I used to regularly natter about our comedy nights on here but sadly I got out of the habit. Personally I put it down to old age and fine wine, but not necessarily in that order.

We've put on some wonderful shows recently, so I really need to dip my pen into my inkwell and get scribbling again.

Take a peek at the photo below. If you know your comedy you might just recognise this dodgy couple. They're The Comedy Store's Mike Gunn & Sean Collins.

We were so chuffed to be asked to host their “Regrets” tour. It was full of politically incorrect comedy (always a good thing as far as we're concerned). The room was squished to bursting and our lovely venue The Apollo Hotel Basingstoke, did us proud.

We'll be hosting Andrew Ryan's tour show in November....so look out for that one!

#standupcomedy

John Moloney at Jan Jack's Laughter-House

"I have been a professional comedian for over 25 years - 

and this is one of the nicest clubs I've ever played"  John Moloney

Back in 2008 when Jan Jack's Laughter-House Comedy Club opened, I never imagined that we'd be attracting the quality acts who now regularly appear at our lovely club.

John Moloney at Jan Jack's Laughter-House Comedy Club Basingstoke

On 7 January we were privileged to have award winning comedian John Moloney headlining. (This cracking photo is by Michael Palmer, who is brilliant at event photography). 

John asked around before he accepted our booking & heard Good Things from the circuit.  He subsequently enjoyed performing for us almost as much as we enjoyed watching him and left us with the above quote.  Thank you John!

And thanks to Michael Palmer for all our fabulous photographs.

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.  

A letter from Laughter-House

If you love live comedy, you'll know that a great comedy experience is like a wonderful meal. Shake all the best ingredients together in all the right quantities, and you'll end up with an unforgettable experience.

Such was our last comedy night on 6 November.  Personally I was feeling lower than a dachshund's dinkie; having spent weeks in and out of bed (no, it's not what you're thinking).  But you, our audience, made it a really special night.

Now, if you're a regular you'll know that Laughter-House nights are always buzzy, but sometimes there's an extra special vibe.  Maybe it was partly to do with you guys from Matt Smarts Fitness Boot Camp with all your special energy.  Right from the start you seemed especially 'up for it'.

Most of you probably don't know this, but when I book my acts, I do the my best to ensure that every comedian has something different to offer.  Each night means carefully blending the talent; ensuring there's something that you, my customers, will love.

Last week we were blessed to have Angela Barnes opening the show.  Wasn't she great!  Angela's star is on the rise - you might have seen her on Mock the Week - and is clear to see why.  She's lovable and witty, with oodles of jokes.  You made it plain you thought she was terrific by raising the roof with your applause. She loved it too; she told me she'd come back to Laughter-House "in a heartbeat."

Next on the stage was me.  I scuttled up, paler than an anaemic polar bear and in danger of losing my voice.  To be honest I could be as funny as a collapsed lung and you'd probably still laugh.  Thank you!  

You loved Mark Hurman's measured delivery too. It was slower, and a complete contrast to Angela's faster pace, but also very clever and well written.

Your evening ended with the fabulous Jonny Awsum.  His reviews describe him as a 'crowd pleaser'. Which of course explains why you were very quickly laughing (and singing) your socks off. You were game too, especially when Jonny coerced  'Bob' into joining in.  Bob's animal noises will go down in the Laugher-House hall of fame.  Jonny also described us as "Amazing - one of the best gigs going!"  That's down to you.

Let's not forget our lovely Phil Dinsdale; a compere you really appreciate.  And with good reason; he's so talented.  He's capable, warm and funny.  He's handy with a pasty too. Ask him.

When I set up Laughter-House in 2007, I dreamed of creating a perfect comedy environment; a club the acts would love as much as you, the audience.  Seven years on, you've helped to make us one of the most popular clubs on the circuit, which is why we can bring you the big names you love to see.

Last week Angela Barnes described us as "a club run with love, with a great audience."

Thank you Angela.  

And thank you to you too, our special Laughter-House audience; for your enthusiasm, loyalty, and your support of live comedy in Basingstoke.

Did you see us on telly - Comic Relief Stand up if you Dare with BBC South & Laughter-House Comedy Club

If you ask someone what their worst nightmare would be, it's usually standing up in front of a room full of people they don't know.  Add 'trying to make them laugh' to the mix and most people would be taking to the hills.

So imagine the courage it must have taken for the 15 wannabe stand up comedians who entered the BBC South Stand up if you Dare challenge - filmed at  Laughter-House Comedy Club in Basingstoke last night.

Okay, it was the opposite end of the scale to the usual acts Laughter-House bring in... but promoting awareness of live comedy is always dear to my heart.

So what did they have to do?  First off - attend the 'Boot Camp' where myself and Mervyn Stutter were appointed Comedy Mentors.

One woman turned up with a dog on the end of a lead.  We were slightly nonplussed but apparently she 'thought he'd like to join in'.  We all watched expectantly as he wandered up to the  mic and considered cocking his leg.  He didn't.  Probably a good decision.

By the time a few of them had wandered up to the mic I was worrying.  Some people appeared to think that just telling a story (because that's what Peter Kaye does) is how you do it.   I have news for any who wants to do stand up comedy - shouting "Garlic Bread" down a mic takes a lot of practice.  Trust me on this.

Some however were pretty impressive. As mentors we dispensed cheerful advice on tweaking and timing. All the acts joined in with the feedback and there was some definite 'bonding' going on.

 The Big Night was last night.  This time the fear was palpable - but I took a couple of valium and quickly settled.   The stand ups were bricking it.   Some gave interviews for BBC South....and the room filled with their family and friends keen to support them.  No pressure then.


They were all amazing!. They were far better than I thought they would be.  They'd listened and learned on the Bootcamp and re-written loads of material.  I was particularly proud of a few of the Laughter-House regulars who gave it a go....Glen Forder, Calvin Sharpe, Dan Keilty and 'Boo' ...well done guys.

The reaction when Glen bounced onto the stage in a black stretch one-piece was a sight to see.  Unfortunately I don't have a photo of him dressed like that....only this one

Today there are fifteen would-be comedians walking on air.  Because they DID IT.   You'll be able to see it on you tube soon.  Watch this space!

The moral of the story?  It's never too late to give it a go....

.....and if your friends enjoyed the night can you kindly remind them that we run great comedy on the first Thursday of the month at Laughter-House Comedy Club....with 4 April being no exception :)

See you there.

The warmth of a Laughter-House audience

I've got a lovely job.  I admit it.  It's a far better job than I used to have; working in an office being bullied by someone with the personality of a bird bath.

However if you think being a comedy club promoter is easy you're definitely two meerkats short of an annoying advert.

Imagine the scene...there I am, at Basingstoke Comedy Club, Laughter-House, with a room full of people laughing their socks off at our opening act.

As a promoter, I am content in the knowledge that my audience are chuckling and that my headline act is on her way.  And what's more, she's being chauffeured by my middle act. How cool is that? No leaving her arrival to the oddities of South West Trains, and their "no trains tonight as a leaf fell on the track at Farnborough" policy.

Then, a tale tell vibration in my back pocket.  At 8.45 I couldn't help but think it was a bad omen.

"A wheel's come off the car," said a disjointed and somewhat disgruntled headline act.

"Oh," I said, always one for a sensible and intelligent response.   "Er...where are you?"

"About 40 minutes away on the M25."

Lovely. That's good then. Half my acts wiped out in one fell swoop.  At times like this I really do wonder whether I ought to take up the odd crafty puff of marijuana.  It really can't do any harm.

It's time for a Laughter-House conflab.  I huddle together with the compere and our trusty doorman Ben.

"I'll go and get them" says Ben. I always said he was a good lad.

"Stay where you are" I pant down the phone.  "We're coming to get you."

Five minutes later Ben has jumped into his car and is chasing down the M3 quicker than Silvio Bernusconi after a prossie, whilst I sneak onto the Laughter-House stage to impart the news to the locals.

" I have some news" I tell the expectant audience.  "My headline act and my middle acts were coming together.

Cue cheers from the dirty minded section of the audience.

"But they're stuck on the M25 and a wheel is off the car."

For some reason my audience seem to think this is part of the comedy routine.  Apparently it's very funny.

"We're all winging it.." I say  "The compere is going to do longer.."  cue some more cheers, "Then you're going to get me for a bit longer" cue some more cheers.

"And then" I say.  "Someone else is going to have a go, who's only ever done stand up once".

You'd think I'd have told them they were all getting free drinks.  More cheering and beaming smiles.

So, we all did our bit, our newbie did a wonderful job, and our trusty door man Ben delivered one, very cold and shivery headline act just before 10.00pm.  Ben, on further Headline Act duties, was despatched to get her some noodles, we plied her with brandy and pushed her onto the stage.

Duly warmed by the brandy and the lovely audience,she later tweeted that she'd fallen in love with comedy again after performing at our club.

And with the warmth of the lovely Laughter-House crowd, I can totally understand why.