Monkey Barrel: Comedy Spotlight
Monkey Barrel Comedy has rolled into its own home on Blair Street, and here Ben Verth tells us about his plans for Edinburgh's new comedy club
How was opening a new venue during the August madness that is the Fringe?
"You said it, mate. Madness. I know I should buff this up with some businessman speak playing down the difficulty of it all, like it was just an artsy, café society breeze, but I prefer to call it out for what it was. That way we, as the Monkey Barrel team, can bask in the glory of how well we actually did. Which was pretty damn well. And I’m amazed by that. We’re all a bunch of morons who have no idea what we’re doing. We should have drowned! It was a hard-won victory and we’re very proud of what we achieved (or got away with!)."
Other than great comedians, what makes for a great comedy club?
"Staff, definitely. When people walk in they have to be received well and warmly by the folk on the door and behind the bar, and the venue's tech crew. I think we got that aspect right from the moment we opened the doors. I’m only one of a large team that make up Monkey Barrel and every one of us is a massive comedy enthusiast, particularly of comedy as a live experience, so we understand how to be hospitable and give an audience a ‘show’ the moment they walk in the place."
Apart from Monkey Barrel, what are your favourite comedy clubs and why?
"I love big clubs like The Comedy Store and Up The Creek in London. Everything about their set-up makes it feel like such a unique event from the moment you arrive. They are beautiful, cool buildings to look at and be in, and the pre-show vibe and service is electric, and then they hit you with an ace show.
"XS Malarkey in Manchester is another essential. Its success is kind of the other way – it has a matey, homespun, relaxed character. Even when they are stuffing 150+ into a room it feels more like an intimate group of friends are getting together to share a secret passion. Also, closed now, but a model for the club is Peter Cook’s Establishment. That cool, creative, no-holds-barred feel is what we’re going for."
What regular nights do you have planned?
"Apart from our big Friday and Saturday showcase shows, weekly we’ll have our flagship new act night Japes and our Sunday night improv from Edinburgh group To Be Continued. We’ll also be putting on monthly sketch and character shows, tours, movie-based nights, live podcast and sitcom recordings, as well as our occasional late night anarchic spectacular ‘Last Ever Show’…"
What advice would you give a new comedian hoping for stage time at Monkey Barrel?
"I know it’s an utterly stupid and obvious thing to say but I think every new comedian needs to have a frank conversation with themselves about exactly what they want and what they don’t and what they are ready for and what they aren’t. I’m constantly stunned by the number of new acts who haven’t. Having a vague idea how to turn on a tap does not make you a plumber.
"It’s simple. Know comedy. Our audience knows comedy, the Monkey Barrel team knows comedy. It might seem over the top, but give it the respect it’s due right off the bench. If you know comedy, you’ve got a place at Monkey Barrel."
And how shouldn’t someone starting out try to get stage time?
"Dinnae be an arse! It’s a hard term to actually define, but we know being an arse when we see it."
Monkey Barrel Comedy, 9-11 Blair Street, Edinburgh. See facebook.com/monkeybarrelcomedy for opening times