Arthur Smith copies The Beatles

Rooftop gig ahead

Arthur Smith is to evoke memories of The Beatles famous rooftop gig – or perhaps Brian May on Buckingham Palace – with a comedy performance from the top of Greenwich’s historic Old Royal Naval College.

But there will be two major differences between the South London gig and the Fab Four’s 1969 appearance on the Apple Corps building: first, you have to buy a ticket, and second, the gig will take place in silence.

Smith’s performance will be relayed to the crowd at ground level via headphones, rather than any traditional amplification – using the same technology as the Silent Discos that allow clubbers to party late into the night without disturbing the neighbours.

Smith, and other comedians yet to be announced, will perform on the 80ft hight roof of the Christopher Wren-designed building from 2pm to 3pm this Saturday as part of the Greenwich Comedy Festival.

The festival, which features a marquee in the grounds of the imposing building, has been organised by Will and Cass Briggs, the stepchildren of the late Malcolm Hardee, who ran the nearby Up The Creek comedy club.

Published: 9 Sep 2009

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