Tonight:
8°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Description: Old and new comedians celebrate the anniversary of the Comedy Store.
Trains: Tube: Piccadilly Circus 
Phone: 0207930 2967
Website: www.thecomedystore.co.uk
Email: london@thecomedystore.co.uk
Extra info: Pub
Brutally funny: Jimmy Carr on stage at the Comedy Store gala
There is no official collective noun for a gathering of comedians. How about a giggle? There was certainly a giggle of comedians on stage at the Comedy Store last night to celebrate the trailblazing club’s 30th birthday. And plenty of giggles in the audience, too, as 19 of the UK’s classiest clowns paid homage to the venue that kickstarted the modern stand-up scene.
Paul Merton opened in amiably nostalgic style, dusting down gags he probably did here 27 years ago. “I went to the newsagents and asked ‘Have you got a copy of Psychic News?’ The newsagent replied: ‘You tell me.’”
Alan Carr followed swiftly, singing the praises of bendy buses, particularly the rotating bit in the middle that he pirouettes on.
With such a large line-up, acts did not linger, opting instead for YouTube-length sets. Welshman Rhod Gilbert executed a perfectly honed seven-minute routine on the perils of duvet-buying. A shop assistant advised him on filling, suggesting he “get down”. Gilbert misunderstood and threw himself on the floor.
Two more veterans who cut their teeth here were further highlights. Jimmy Carr ticked off some brutally economical Twitter-sized titters, holding a clipboard as if he were a stern headmaster taking the register.
Jack Dee delved into his sarcasm-streaked back catalogue, announcing that he had been out until 3am celebrating his wife’s birthday: “She was livid.”
This was a terrific event, yet odd. Some other guests’ funny foreign accents and gay jokes left a feeling that maybe alternative comedy is no longer diametrically opposed to the comedy it usurped.
More bizarrely, there was no female in the three-hour show. From French and Saunders to Jo Brand and beyond, women have been part of the Store. Their absence was a major niggle, not a giggle.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
