TV NAMES LINED UP FOR STOURBRIDGE COMEDY CLUB

Former Xtra Factor host Matt Richardson, also seen on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Celebrity Juice, first up at Katie Fitzgeralds on Friday Sep 11...

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Date published: 28th Aug 2015

A fledgling comedy club in Stourbridge celebrating its first birthday next month has announced a whole host of TV names will be performing there in the next 12 months.

Fitz of Laughter Comedy Club is moving to a regular monthly Friday night slot from September in the heated outdoor marquee at Katie Fitzgerald?s in Enville Street.

The headliner for its anniversary gig on Friday September 11 is former Xtra Factor host Matt Richardson, who has also appeared on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Celebrity Juice, Viral Tap and Big Brother?s Bit On The Side.

But he will be just one of a number of familiar faces to take to the stage in the club?s second year.

Top of the bill on Friday October 2 will be Scot Iain Stirling, who recently narrated ITV2?s Love Island and has appeared in a number of children?s TV shows including The Dog Ate My Homework.

Archie Kelly ? who played Kenny Snr in Peter Kay?s smash hit Phoenix Nights ? is the headliner on Friday November 13.

And another former Phoenix Nights star ? Jo Enright ? will take centre stage for the club?s Christmas special on Friday December 4. It will be a rare stand-up outing for the comedienne, who also stars in The Job Lot and has appeared in numerous other TV shows including I?m Alan Partridge, Trollied and Ideal.

Also booked and confirmed for 2016 are Mock The Week and Live at the Apollo stars Zoe Lyons, Nathan Caton and Joe Lycett, while club favourite Patrick Monahan will return for his third headline spot on Friday July 1 next year.

Monahan headlined the club?s first ever gig in September last year, and it started out as a monthly night on Thursdays promoting up-and-coming talent on the circuit.

Local comedian Wayne Beese, from Dudley, is the resident compere for the club and said he was delighted with the way things were going.

?I approached Eddy and Trina at the pub about doing a comedy night there, as obviously Katie?s is predominantly a live music venue,? Wayne said.

?They have been supportive and on board since day one and the first year has gone as well as anyone could have hoped, with a number of sell-out shows.

?We experimented over the summer by putting on a couple of weekend shows in the marquee on Friday nights, and couldn?t believe that the turnout tripled. We have had 90-100 people packed in there and the atmosphere was something else.

?So we have decided to go off in a bit of a different direction in our second year. We have targeted the very best on the circuit, we are putting on fully pro shows and we are bringing a number of familiar faces to Stourbridge to perform in an intimate venue.

?I hope people will come and give the nights a try ? the feedback we have had from those who have has been fantastic so I know we are going in the right direction. It?s an exciting time.?

Tickets for Matt Richardson on Friday September 11th are now on sale.

They cost £10 in advance or £15 on the door and are available online (with no booking fee) at https://www.skiddle.com/e/12521594 or by calling/texting Wayne on 07507015397.

For information on future gigs like the club?s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fitz-of-Laughter-Comedy-Club/299006923611510 or follow Wayne Beese @BeeseComedy

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