Comedy club returns to its favourite home

Jun 30 2007 by Mike Chapple, Liverpool Daily Post

Rawhide logo (200)

• Log on from Monday to see the first in a series of comedy clips filmed at Rawhide

LIVERPOOL’S Rawhide Comedy Club is moving from the Royal Court and “going home” in time for the start of the autumn season.

It will be reopening on September 6 underneath the Bar and Grill in the former Lyceum Grade II-listed building, in Bold Street, where it was based for a two-year period from April, 1998.

“A lot of the comics say this was their favourite, the cosiest venue Rawhide’s ever had and the one they feel most at home in – it’s got a plush clubby feel to it which has a lovely shape and needs nothing doing to it,” said Rawhide spokesman Iain Christie.

Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas compered at the 120- capacity venue in their early careers.

Rawhide is accepted as one of the UK’s best-known showcases for both established and up-and-coming talent and was behind the recent three-week Liverpool Comedy Festival.

It was founded by Liver-pool-born Kevin Fearon and the first show was held in the Foyer Bar in the Everyman Theatre back in 1995. Since then, it has been based at a number of venues such as Baby Blue and Baby Cream before moving from the Central Hall in Renshaw Street to the Royal Court in July, 2005.

While at the Royal Court, Fearon and Co carried out a massive refurbishment and now the venue will be returned to its former use as one of Liverpool’s top-notch theatres, this time focusing primarily on local talent.

Its season starts on July 13 with the return of Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels by local writers Dave Kirby and Nicky Alt for a six-week run. It was a sell-out last year.

Brick Up will be followed up by another local production, Lost Souls, also by Dave Kirby, from August 31 to September 24.

“We have everything we need here in this city to make it work,” said Mr Christie. “We’ve also got great writers, directors, stage designers and crews combined with a theatre which can offer a meal, drinks at your table and a show all in one.”

mikechapple