The Comedy Store

The Comedy Store brand was founded in London in 1979 by Don Ward after a visit to Los Angeles where he first witnessed the ‘alternative’ comedy scene, and the venue has played host to some of the biggest names in comedy history including Robin Williams, Chris Rock and Mike Myers – who founded The Comedy Store Players which still runs today.

A host of household names started their careers at The Comedy Store including French & Saunders, Eddie Izzard, Michael McIntyre, Paul Merton, Lee Evans and John Bishop, and it remains the most famous venue in the country which gives a platform to the best acts on these shores.

Following the success of the London venue, Ward opened The Comedy Store on Deansgate, Manchester in 2000, a 500-seat auditorium with three bars and two restaurants. The Manchester venue itself has launched the careers of many household names, from Alan Carr to Jason Manford to Sarah Millican.

A year later Ward launched the Manchester Comedy Festival which has grown to one of the largest events of its kind in the UK. In 2011 the Festival's programme was larger than ever, with more than 240 shows taking place across 45 venues, including names such as Stephen Merchant, Rob Brydon, Peter Kay and Micky Flanagan.

Having succeeded in establishing the most famous and successful venue in the UK, Ward turned his attentions to overseas and, in 2009, opened The Comedy Store Mumbai – a 300-seat venue that plays host to local comedians he has discovered, plus the biggest International names in the comedy industry.

Visit The Comedy Store website here

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