Comedy club to be set up in York hotel (From York Press)

Sitting Room Comedy Club to be set up in Monkbar Hotel, York

9:20am Tuesday 13th November 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

HEARD the one about the man who walked into the Monkbar Hotel and told a joke?

Comedians will soon be doing just that on a regular basis at the Best Western hotel when it becomes York’s new “home for comedy.”

University of York student Tom Taylor, who has been organising the successful Sitting Room Comedy Club in Harrogate for the past year, is bringing the venture to York.

The Harrogate club has attracted some of the biggest names in the industry, including Paul Foot, Grumpy Old Man Arthur Smith and The Now Show’s Mitch Benn, and in March, The Independent named the night as one of its top ten comedy gigs.

Tom will be joined at York’s inaugural gig by star of Canadian comedy, Dana Alexander; Stephen Carlin, writer for The Now Show and The News Quiz; and Lloyd Langford, who has appeared on Dave’s One Night Stand and was a permanent panel member on Ask Rhod Gilbert.

“I’m thrilled with the line-up,” he said. “Dana, Stephen and Lloyd are three of the funniest and most talented acts currently on the comedy circuit. It’s fantastic that they’re coming along to help launch Sitting Room York.”

Tom, a Third Year music undergraduate and former head prefect at Ashville College, Harrogate, said the Monkbar Hotel was an ideal setting, with a central location, plenty of parking and a function room that can hold a large crowd without losing the intimacy between performer and audience.

“As with Harrogate, it’s my aim to make this a monthly night of laughter for comedy fans of all ages.

“Watching synthetic comedy shows on television does not compare to leaving the house and experiencing the excitement and buzz of live stand-up.”

Hotel general manager Graham Usher said he was delighted Tom had chosen the hotel as the venue.

“Last week, we hosted a charity comedy night for Help for Heroes, where Tom was one of the acts, and we are keen to show our support for local talent,” he said.

• The first comedy evening will be staged on Thursday November 22. Tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door by calling 01904 638086 or by going to www.sittingroomcomedy.com