Birmingham's Glee Club celebrates 25 years of laughter
They first opened their doors in 1994
Last updated 6th Sep 2019
Birmingham's Glee Club celebrates its 25th anniversary.
It first opened its doors in 1994 during the height of the alternative comedy scene and became the UK's first dedicated comedy club outside London.
In 2002 a £1m investment meant they could add a second 150-seater theatre room and increase the capacity in the main room to 400.
After the success in Birmingham, four other Glee Club venues were created in Nottingham, Cardiff, Oxford and Glasgow.
The club's also played a big part in supporting comics from the Midlands including Joe Lycett and Guz Khan.
Guz said:
“Just two years ago, Joe Lycett and the gang at The Glee Club in Birmingham invited me in to perform at a comedy club for the first time. I have now learned that I was lucky enough to start at the very best comedy club in the land.
It's also hosted acts including Jack Whitehall, Jack Dee, Jimmy Carr, Katherine Ryan and Sarah Millican.
Tonight and tomorrow, celebrations are taking place to mark the 25th anniversary with acclaimed comedian Sara Pascoe appearing.
Star and creator of the BBC’s Man Like Mobeen, Guz Khan, will also be performing a special set to mark the quarter of a century.
Speaking about the anniversary, Glee Club founder Mark Tughan said:
“We’ve had an incredible 25 years here in Birmingham and are pleased to say that we remain one of the most top-rated venues for both comics and audiences, having amassed over 14 awards. We’re committed to creating an unmatched environment for comedy and intimate gigs, attracting the best comic talent into Birmingham.
“It’s great to see comics that we’ve hosted like Romesh Ranganathan, Russell Howard, Peter Kay, Sara and Guz going on to have hugely successful careers and it’s a real pleasure to be welcoming back Sara and Guz for our 25th anniversary celebrations.
“Our quarter of a century shows are sure to be nights to remember and I can’t wait to see how the next 25 years of Glee unfold."
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