Regular comedy gigs are returning to the city

CHANCE FOR NEW TALENT TO SHINE

- ANDY PHILLIPS

THE man who gave Jimmy Carr his comedy debut in a Plymouth nightclub has backed the return of a regular comedy night to the city, which starts this week.

Geoff Whiting, who founded Mirth Control comedy booking agency, has given starts to a number of household names – and brought many of them to Plymouth.

Jimmy Carr got his first paid-for gig at the comedy nightspot at Club Fandango on the Hoe, and Jason Manford also travelled down from Manchester to showcase his comedy skills.

Others, including Russell Howard, Micky Flanagan, Reginald D Hunter and Shapi Khorsandi, have also been among those to grace the stage at the Comedy at Fandango’s night – which is returning tomorrow, this time at Cosmic Kitchen in the city centre.

The event is returning as a fundraiser for Ukraine, as the Comedy at Fandango’s brand was started by Andreas Evangelou, who has become a staunch supporter of those suffering since the Russian invasion.

This week’s line-up includes Canadian-born comic Tyson Bradley, Tim Biglowe and Plymouth-based Christina Varga, while it is Mc’d by Ben Treloar.

Although none are household names, Mr Whiting has a tradition of showcasing talent at its earliest stages.