Live At Zédel brings comedy to London

Live At Zedel

Live At Zédel, which launched earlier this month, is an exciting new performance space in the heart of London.

Situated in Brasserie Zédel, which is a few footsteps away Piccadilly Circus, the club aims to deliver "a multi-disciplinary programme in an inclusive entertainment space for discerning and curious culture-hungry Londoners of all ages."

When BCG was first invited to check out the comedy at the club, we must admit we had to search the web to find out what "Brasserie" meant. Wikipedia helpfully explained to us that a brasserie is "a type of French restaurant with a relaxed setting, which serves single dishes and other meals. A brasserie can be expected to have professional service. Typically, it is open every day of the week and serves the same menu all day."

Whilst it's true that Brasserie Zédel offers a relaxed atmosphere and great service (we were greeted by a doorman), it's certainly not serving up the same menu of entertainment every day. In fact, they have a veritable feast of different live shows to experience in their stunning Art Deco themed Crazy Coqs bar.

Live At Zédel is programmed in partnership with top talent company United Agents, which means even though the space has only just opened it's already featuring some of the biggest names in comedy, and showcasing great up-and-coming stars of the future.

The cabaret-style layout of Crazy Coqs also allows for the venue to put on unique shows that aren't your average 'stand-up comedian with a mic' club nights. The venue's Coq-tails and Conversations strand (in which acclaimed journalist Mark Shenton interviews stars of the stage and TV) most recently featured Tim Minchin.

Meanwhile, on the night BCG visited the venue, ensemble acting company Not Too Tame had taken over the space. Their show Early Doors, based around a brother and sister who open up the family pub for the first time after it's been left to them by their mum, saw the troupe's comic characters intersperse themselves in and around the audience for the hour. We took part in their pub quiz, witnessed a bouncer with troubles, laughed at the cheeky drunk, and were touched by the show's musical ending.

Richard Gadd

So, yes, Live At Zédel is definitely worth checking out. So what's coming up this autumn then, comedy wise?

Stephen Bailey brings his charming Edinburgh Fringe show Nation's Sweetheart to the venue on Monday 26th September; and Ruby Thomas is there on the same day a couple of hours later with her unique characters.

The 11th and 12th October are dates for the diary. Richard Gadd's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning show Monkey See Monkey Do (pictured) will be at Zédel then. The queues were around the block at the Fringe, so get your tickets quickly for this one.

Other comedians performing their solo shows at the venue in October and November will include Taylor Glenn and Ariane Barnes; plus sketch group Birthday Girls will be bringing their high-energy party to Crazy Coqs in November too.

Look out for the Scoundrels Comedy Club nights in the programme as well. They have some brilliant comedians amongst their line-ups. October's show is headlined by the unique Sam Simmons, November's line-up includes Mock The Week star Ed Gamble, and in December Scoundrels will be presenting comedians including comic rapper Doc Brown, the unique Harriet Kemsley, prop comedian Spencer Jones, and political stand-up Matt Forde.

To see the club's full comedy line-up visit brasseriezedel.com

Published: Monday 26th September 2016

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