Komedia, an independent comedy venue in the heart of Brighton, is home to the much-loved comedy club, a weekly event that features three acts and an MC. Over the years, Komedia has hosted some notable names on the circuit, including Tom Ward, Nina Conti and Rosie Jones. Komedia has also impressively won the Chortle Award for Best Comedy Venue in the South 18 times. The comedy club takes place every Friday and Saturday. Last Friday’s event featured a stellar lineup with Thaniya Moore as MC and comedians Jo Neary, Dane Buckley and Maureen Younger, who delighted audiences with their lively acts.
Before the show started, the atmosphere inside Komedia was alive with noise and colour as vibrant lights lit up the dim basement venue. People chatted excitedly at their tables and ordered food from the menu. The menu included a range of dishes perfect for snacking during the live acts, including nachos, loaded fries and burgers. Drinks were available at their bar, which had a variety of beers, wines, ciders and champagne. All the Komedia staff were friendly and helpful as they guided people to their seats, allowing them to choose tables or booths.
The show began with MC Thaniya Moore interacting with the audience, making jokes and asking if there were any birthdays, hen dos or stag dos in attendance. There was some friendly competition between the different hen dos and stag dos when the MC asked who was getting married first. The MC also shared some relatable quips about ageing, particularly the back pain after turning 40, which the audience relished. After lots of laughs, the first comedian, Jo Neary, was introduced.
Jo Neary gave a chaotically funny performance as she switched between different characters throughout her act, starting as a nervous speaker giving a PowerPoint presentation. She also told some hilarious tales of her childhood in Cornwall, including when she saw a child psychologist because her parents could not afford an adult one. Due to the style of Jo’s comedy, her act was hard to follow at times. But this just meant you had to focus on her storytelling, and it kept you on your toes as you did not know where she was going next. She ended her performance with a comical and unique dance routine that had the audience roaring with laughter.
The next performer was award-winning Irish Indian comic Dane Buckley, who delivered a high-energy performance full of sarcasm and mischief. His anecdotes about his upbringing and imitations of his Indian grandmother were among the best lines of the night. He touched on how difficult it is to fit in when you come from a mixed heritage background, which was relatable and funny. He added an element of interactivity to his show by asking people in the front row hilarious questions and serenading one of the men in what he described as a “gay mating call”.
The final comedian was Maureen Younger, who ended the night with her famous sharp and effortless humour. Her stories and observations about love and life kept everyone engaged, and her interactions with the audience enhanced the performance further.
After the event, the audience’s positive energy and cheery smiles continued as they left the venue. Many will likely return to Komedia Comedy Club to experience another unforgettable and entertaining evening of laughter.
Komedia Comedy Club takes place every Friday and Saturday, and tickets are available on Komedia’s website.
