With World Laughter Day on Sun 4 May, we spoke to the hilarious host of our Comedy Cellars, Anthony J Brown about the past, present and future of our monthly night of gags, one liners and witty observations.
So Anthony when did the first Comedy Cellar take place?
It was Thu 15 September 1994. Headlined by the late, eternally great Jeremy Hardy, many moons before I took over the running of it. I hadn’t dipped my nimble toes into the murky waters of mirth back then. I actually appeared at the gig myself in June 1997, in what was my third ever stand up performance. I was greener than the Hulk in a camouflage jacket at that juncture but it went unexpectedly well. And it was immediately evident what a fantastic room it is for comedy, with a warm and appreciative audience, so that when the Lawrence Batley Theatre folk approached me years later about programming the nights I grasped the opportunity with barely suppressed glee.
When did you take over the running of the show?
I started in May 2008. I book the line ups, and I host the show when I’m available. The headliner that night was Steve Royle, who years later was runner up in Britain’s Got Talent, which hopefully endorses my impeccable taste when it comes to sourcing sublime performers! I generally book acts that I have encountered when gigging around the country as I trust my judgement in terms of what will work for the Huddersfield audience.
Which acts have graced the Comedy Cellar stage over the years?
Over the 30 and a half years the club has featured the likes of Peter Kay, John Bishop, Sarah Millican, Shazia Mirza, Joe Lycett and Chris Ramsey, to name but a few marquee acts. I gather that we are the longest running comedy club in West Yorkshire, which is a superb achievement. It’s more than the amount of years that Marty McFly travelled to in the past in Back To The Future. Great Scott!
Were there any shows you particularly enjoyed in the 30th birthday year?
The debut of the Courtyard Comedy Festival was a definite highlight, two days of infinite laughter showcasing some of the finest performers in the UK in front of bumper crowds. I’m utterly delighted that we return with the Courtyard Comedy Festival this year on Fri 1 - Sat 2 August. The shows feature a veritable smorgasbord of the cream of the UK comedy circuit, including the magnificent Kiri Pritchard-McLean from Have I Got News For You, Darren Harriott from Live At The Apollo, Phoenix Nights star Barbara Nice and West Yorkshire lad-made-good Alun Cochrane from 8 Out Of 10 Cats. It’ll have ‘Comedic Class’ running through it like a stick of Cleethorpes rock. Or Whitby, if you fancy turning up in a cloak.
Are there any upcoming shows that you are particularly keen to mention?
I’m very much looking forwards to the Best New Yorkshire Act final on Thu 26 June, as it is always a fascinating mix of stand up styles and invariably a rip roaring, closely run affair. Last year’s runner up Will Burns got the 'Golden Buzzer' into this year’s Britain’s Got Talent final. So it just goes to show what wonderful career advancements it can lead to. Also at our July Comedy Cellar we welcome a tour preview show from Matt Richardson, a marvellous multi award winner from Never Mind The Buzzcocks and loads of other telly stuff.
What are your hopes for Comedy Cellar in the future?
My ultimate hope for Comedy Cellar is simple, I want to give punters an excellent evening of entertainment, one that justifies both the financial and organisational commitment that they are making. It’s important to never lose sight of that. I always strive to run comedy nights that I would be happy to appear at as an act myself, and it certainly meets that remit. The staff are all utterly lovely, the audiences are polite and friendly comedy-savvy people and the low ceilinged venue is absolutely perfect for stand up.
