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The explosion in alternative comedy in the 1980s led inexorably to its being dubbed the new rock ‘n’ roll. Nothing like it of course, but there were certain similarities in the scene from which it sprang: the back rooms of pubs mainly. The place where it was all supposed to have started was an exception, although not much different in atmosphere. The Comedy Store has since relocated and successfully been packaged for mass consumption (usually with food thrown in) at places like Jongleurs. Even so, the pub circuit thrives. An astounding variety of acts take up their mikes all over the city every night, on an epidemic scale each Friday and Saturday. All very hit and miss, but then that’s half the point. Banana Cabaret, The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, T 020-8673 8904. Down in deepest Balham (ask for directions), this pioneering, roomy venue behind a busy pub still keeps ‘em rolling in the aisles. Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon St, T 0870-0602340. The daddy and often still the best. Lowdown at the Albany, 240 Great Portland St, T 020-7387 5706. One of central London’s more reliable pub places.
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