The Glee Club is a chain of independent live stand-up comedy and live music venues in the UK. The first Glee Club was opened by Mark Tughan in Birmingham's Chinese Quarter in 1994,[1] the first dedicated comedy club to open in the United Kingdom outside London.[2]
A second branch opened in Cardiff in 2001 with a third club opening in Oxford in April 2010 and a fourth, two room club debuted in Nottingham in September 2010.
The latest club to come online is The Glee Club Glasgow which opened in February 2019.
The brand has been directly involved with numerous urban comedy festivals in their host cities, and also presented stand-up stages at major outdoor events, including V Festival from 2012-2017. The Glee Club Comedy Tent at V welcomed appearances from Sean Lock (V2012), Eddie Izzard and Josh Widdicombe (V2013), Alan Carr (V2014), Frankie Boyle and Russell Kane (V2016),[4] and Joe Lycett (V2017).
Comedy show
The Glee's regular comedy show consists of three acts from the UK and international comedy circuits introduced by a compère. The Saturday shows are often followed by a disco in some venues. All clubs also host tour shows by more established acts. Unlike many other comedy clubs, the seating for all comedy gigs is arranged in a theatre style[5] and the clubs' bars close during the performances.
Professional comedians enjoy appearing at the clubs; as Tom Allen reported: "The Glee Club people are excellent at creating an environment where people can enjoy themselves. There's a science to getting the venue and night out right and they are great at attention to detail, everything from the welcome at the door to getting the lighting right. In the past comedy could be quite a macho environment and the Glee Clubs have been great at tackling that and making sure their bills feature diverse performers."[6]
The Glee Clubs have presented live music since April 2001, and presently host gigs in Birmingham, Nottingham, Cardiff and Glasgow. Among the acts who have appeared include Adele and Mumford and Sons.[8] Music was initially brought to the Glee Club by promoter Markus Sargeant.[citation needed]
The Glee Birmingham
Situated in Southside, Birmingham, The Glee's original home opened in leisure development The Arcadian on 10 September 1994, and was the first dedicated comedy club to open in the UK outside London.[2]
The 20th anniversary show, in 2014, was compered by Ross Noble.[3]
The venue is home to several unique nights including Comedy Carousel and Rough Works. Hosted and created by comedian Andy Robinson, Comedy Carousel has won several awards including multiple What's On Readers' Awards for Best Comedy Club Night and a Chortle Award for Best Comedy Club Show 2015,[9][10] while actress and comedian Jo Enight's Rough Works provides a platform for new and established acts try out new material. Also taking place at the club is The Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award, which recognises new and emerging talent from the West Midlands.
A second branch opened in Cardiff in 2001 and is located in the Mermaid Quay development in Cardiff Bay. The opening night line-up included Mark Lamarr[3] and was "an instant hit" with audiences.[11]
The venue has a seated capacity of 440 and a standing capacity of 600.[12]ITV Wales broadcast a series of eight stand up shows from the venue in 2006.[13]
It won the Chortle Award for Best Venue (Wales and West) 10 times between 2002-2017.[14][15]
Due to redevelopment of the area, the club relocated to The Bullingdon in Cowley Road, Oxford, on 14 January 2017.[16] Appearing on opening night were Tom Allen and Ellie Taylor.[6] Tom described appearing as "a big honour."
The Glee Nottingham
A fourth, two room club debuted in Nottingham on 15 September 2010.[17]
Situated in the British Waterways Building, on The Waterfront development, the venue programmes comedy, music and special events. Hollywood actor and Academy Award winner Tim Robbins and his Rogues Gallery Band was the venue's first music show,[17] while a pre-fame Jake Bugg had a residency here in 2011,.[18]
The club also hosts regular cabaret and burlesque nights hosted by The Gilded Merkin.[19]
The Glee Glasgow
The Glee Club Glasgow opened on 1 February 2019 in Renfrew Street, and featured a rare club appearance by Sean Lock, plus Gary Little, Geoff Norcott and MC Jay Lafferty.[20][21]
The club was planned for several years, and is open for regular mixed bill comedy nights on Fridays and Saturdays, with touring shows at other times.[11]
Chortle Awards 2020: Best Venue Midlands & East Winner (Birmingham); Best Venue Wales Winner (Cardiff)[30]
What's On Readers' Awards 2020: Best Midlands Comedy Night - Comedy Carousel (Birmingham)[31]
Midlands Comedy Awards 2022: Best Comedy Club (Birmingham)[32]
Chortle Awards 2023: Best Venue Midlands, West and Wales (Birmingham)[33]
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