Nouveau club pour Londres...

London is to get its second regular French language comedy club – with plans for German shows to follow.

Switzerland’s International Comedy Club is to open what is expected to be a monthly night at the Comedy Cafe Theatre in Shoreditch, starting in November.

The move is the latest to open up the increasingly international market for comedy, championed by the likes of Eddie Izzard and Dylan Moran, and follows the lead of Le Jamel, the Paris-based club which frequently holds French-language nights at the Comedy Store.

More French people live in London than in Bordeaux, Nantes or Strasbourg – and it would be France's sixth biggest city in terms of population.

The new nights are called Noman’s Land, and will be hosted by Noman Hosni, who has previously appeared at Le Jamel’s London gigs. Among those lined up to appear are Yacine Belhousse, who supported Izzard when he performed in French in Paris.

The International Comedy Club was founded in Zurich in 2006 by Londoner Guy Stevens, with the intent of introducing native Swiss audiences to the concept of comedy clubs. It has imported British stars such as Al Murray, Russell Howard and Kevin Bridges – while also fostering local stand-up talent... including Hosni.

Stevens said: ‘Comedy clubs are still the best platform in the world when it comes to that rare thing called freedom of speech. For comedians and audiences to be able to laugh, think and share their experiences together, no matter what the language or nationality, is what this is all about .

‘English is now the de facto “Esperanto” of the world, both in business and socially, but every language and culture is something to celebrate and learn about, and there is no better place than the intimacy and no-bullshit arena of a comedy club  to come together and have a good laugh about life.’

The first event takes place on November 5 with Bun Hay Mean and Farid Chamekh on the bill, while Yacine Belhousse and Abdelkrim Bichkou perform on December 3.

The International Comedy Club plans German language shows in London next year.

Published: 15 Oct 2013