Jason Manford’s Comedy Club at The Lowry Review
Manford’s Comedy Club
The Lowry, Manchester
18-19 September 2015
Reviewed by Ann Durrell
Jason Manford set up his comedy club in order to being reasonably priced comedy to local towns and show case his favourite comedians on the circuit. It is not about those big names that are selling out large areas, Jason Manford does not perform himself, it is all about the emerging talent. The line-up for each show is different so if you really enjoy comedy you could go to nights on the bounce and see a totally different show!
At the Lowry the event was held in ’The Roundabout’ a pop up theatre that has been travelling across the UK. The flat pack pop up theatre itself is a totally self-contained auditorium with only four rows of seats holding an audience of 168 creating a really intimate performance space, excellent I thought for comedy.
The show at the Lowry started at 9.30pm but as the seats are on a first come first served basis a queue had begun to form by 9.15pm. It was apparent standing in the queue that a couple of the audience members may have taken advantage of the late start time by sitting in a bar. Always fun for a comedy night though!
When we got inside we were really impressed with the venue, it was a cosy space, we sat at the front where the rows held four. Our MC for the night was Matt Reed who with his glossy bob and full beard would not have looked out of place in an American rock band. Matt laid out the schedule and warmed to crowd up. Predictably the people from the queue who had over indulged tried to heckle but failed miserably much to the amusement of the rest of the audience and the shame of their friends. Second up was Ian Smith who spent the first few minutes swinging around the mic trying to acclimatise to his surroundings, then the next five watching one of the audience trying to locate the door to get out of the theatre, crossing the stage each time. If we had not had spoken to the friends of the person after we would have sworn it was set up! There was then a short break after which Matt Reed did an excellent job of warming the crowd up once again before the final act, Gordon Southern. Looking like a lost member of 90’s pop band bewitched in double denim, Gordon Southern kept us all giggling singling out audience members and performing his own short raps.
If the comedy club is coming to a town near you I would defiantly recommend going along. A great night.
Rating: 5/5 
For more information and tour dates visit www.manfordscomedyclub.com.
For other shows at The Lowry visit www.thelowry.com.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
