New London Comedy Club opens at JW3 Hampstead

The London Comedy Club stages its first show at JW3 in Finchley Road with a line up including fearless Filipina comic Ria Lina who has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, and Mock The Week; West Country funnywoman Cerys Nelmes; razor sharp and cynical Mike Cox, and compere Juliet Meyers.

It's the first of a monthly rib-tickling night out at the Jewish community centre, with a rosta of acts booked until April 2024, and tickets at just £15.The opening line-up includes (clockwise from left) Ria Lina, Meyers, Mike Cox and Cerys Nelmes (Image: Courtesy of JW3)

"We've had comedians in the past like Simon Brodkin and David Baddiel, but we wanted to make it a regular thing," said JW3's director of programming William Galinsky.

"After the pandemic we think everyone needs a bit more laughter and it's a way of giving exposure to some up and coming comedians."

Ticketholders can enjoy food and drink at JW3's bar and cafe during the shows, the main hall will be configured with tables as a "more intimate cabaret space," and each bill includes one Jewish comic and one headliner who will be familiar from TV.

The second club night on November 2 features British-Lebanese comic - via Essex - Esther Manito, junior doctor Michael Akadiri, headliner Mark Maier who has appeared in numerous Harry Hill sketches, and compere Rachel Creeger who co hosts the podcast Jew Talkin' To Me?

"The bar will be open and we are creating a comedy club atmosphere with a diverse programme with always one Jewish comedian," adds Galinsky. "JW3 is open to absolutely everyone - I always say it's Jew-ish and curious. It holds its hands with lots of other communties and there's something about the migrant experience that lends itself very well to comedy."
November's line up includes comic Michael Akadiri alongside Esther Manito, Mark Maier and Rachel Creeger as compere (Image: Courtesy of JW3)

Stand up will take a pause over December while JW3 stages it's first - and London's only - Jewish pantomime Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Pig. Running December 10 until January 7 it's specially written by Nick Cassenbaum and weaves together Jewish traditional storytelling with Panto tropes such as singalongs, gags, and audience participation in the tale of a little girl, who wants to save her Bubbe from an evil hog and bring light to her village's Chanukah celebrations.

Comedy resumes in the new year featuring the likes of Keith Farnan, Joe Bor, Cally Beaton, and Louise Atkinson, with clubs running on January 17, February 14, March 27 and April 18.Club nights are booked through to April with comic Andrew Bird appearing in March 2024. (Image: Courtesy of JW3)

JW3 is at 341-345 Finchley Road, London NW3. For the full London Comedy Club line up and tickets go to jw3.org.uk.