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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 20 February 2009

After winter of discontent, the Red Rose is set to spring back to its comedy roots

BRITAIN’S top comedians have expressed delight at the news that Islington’s famous Red Rose comedy club is to re-open next week.
Political comedian Mark Thomas, BBC personality Jeremy Hardy, stand-up comedienne Hattie Hayridge and writer-comics Alexei Sayle and Charlie Higson, have all welcomed the return of the Finsbury Park club which closed down last year and briefly became a snooker club.
Mark Thomas, who played many gigs there in his early days, said: “The Red Rose club was one of the most important clubs in London because it had a good progressive audience who wanted a good night out but weren’t prepared to buy any old crap.
“You had to work hard to get it but they were very responsive when you did.”
Jeremy Hardy said he had happy memories of performing many benefits at the Red Rose, adding: “The last benefit I did there was for Israelis refusing to serve in the occupied territory. But I remember doing one 20 years ago for the Birmingham Six. I’m glad its back.”
Alexei Sayle said he hoped that the venue would continue its
left-wing tradition: “The world needs
more comedy – particularly these days,” he said.
Comedienne Nina Conti, daughter of actor Tom Conti, who has performed at the club several times said: “It’s a lovely venue and just works as a room for comedy.”
Charlie Higson, a comedian turned writer said: “So many clubs have been closed
down.
“We need more places where people can perform live. It’s great news.”
After the club closed in January 2008, the new owner apparently failed to make snooker succeed and has sold it on to Altarslan Bali – who plans to revive the
comedy club from next Friday.
Comedians Eddie Izzard, Stewart Lee, and Jimmy Carr have all tread the boards at
the historic venue, which is a former Labour club.
Promoter Sean Brownson will be in charge of the new Friday comedy night, which he has named The Gag Club.
Mr Brownson said: “It was a shame to lose it in the first place.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work to restore it to the old glory and I’m hoping to take it a stage further and make it better than it was before.
“The snooker tables have been taken out and there’s a new bar.
“It will be a comedy club when the doors open from 7pm but then the bar will stay open until 4.30am.”

• Next week’s first Gag Club line-up includes Martin Coyote, Dan Atopolski, Louise Scodie and MC Adrian Poynton

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