On Sunday 1st September we saw the return of Down the Hatch here at Komedia in Brighton (Chortle 2024 Best Comedy Format winner, I must add!). This queer and alternative comedy night launched back in 2022, and recently comedian Lee Peart has joined as our resident MC.
Down the Hatch has seen some of the biggest names on the queer and alternative circuit, with the likes of James Acaster, Jayde Adams, Sam Campbell, Shelf, Sam Lake, Rob Auton, Colin Hoult as Anna Mann, Death Hilarious, and Jo Sutherland – to be honest there are too many to list at this point.
Lee Peart recently met with Scene magazine, as well as Kathy Caton and Danny Pike from BBC Radio Sussex, to chat all things Down the Hatch. In his interview with Scene magazine, Lee calls Brighton ‘Grindr Live’, which is why the Gay Capital of the UK is the perfect place for an event like this. At Komedia, we wanted to make sure we had an event to showcase and platform queer and alternative comedy acts. Brighton also has the best audiences, always up for a laugh and a proper night out.
When Lee started out in comedy, 10 years ago, it was very rare to spotlight comedians from marginalised communities, unless it was a Pride special. Even then very rarely was there more than one queer or alternative act on the bill.
The interview also mentions Daniel Foxx, another staff favourite here at Komedia (certainly one of mine!). Daniel closed the show on 1st September, after a solid line up featuring mystery guest Suzi Ruffell, Josh Glanc fresh from an Edinburgh Fringe nomination, and fast rising star Dane Buckley.
Acts I’m excited to see
I’ve always loved live comedy, and Down the Hatch is one of my favourite nights (I’m not just saying that!). Who doesn’t love a Sunday Funday? Here are a few of my favourite acts on the bill over the next few months.
- Lachlan Werner, possibly one of my favourite acts at the moment. They have been described as the funniest new ventriloquist on the block. Their show Voices of Evil was truly brilliant, Lachy the poof (and virgin) along with Brew the Witch. A hilarious duo not to miss.
- Joe Kent–Walters, or Frankie Monroe, who I had the pleasure of working with (and at the end featuring in!) back in July during Komedia’s Edinburgh Preview season.It was definitely one of the more memorable events I have ever worked. The show was completely mad and just hilarious. It’s very high on my recommend list! (Yes, the full hour show will be back here in March 2025!).
Jess Fostekew, Robert White, and Joe Black will also be joining us at Down the Hatch, and I can’t wait.
The next Down the Hatch comedy clubs are on Sunday 6th October and Sunday 3 November, and tickets are only £6 (which, in a cost of living crisis, is mega cheap). See ya there!
Here’s a list of other things you can get for £6 (or more!)
- A pint of beer
- One pack of pants
- A gyros (for £8!!!)
- 3x steak bakes from Greggs
- A sandwich from any café
Misti Heslop is Komedia’s Venues Coordinator & Events Manager. We would be completely lost without her.