An industry first as stand-up tour adds a VR stop

Dom Hatton-Woods is adding an unusual stop on his stand-up tour: a virtual reality comedy club.

The comic and TikToker has been headlining a number of ‘…& Friends’ nights around the country. But on Sunday, he will stage the show exclusively for Meta Quest users in what is thought to be the first instance of a pro comedy tour incorporating a virtual reality venue as a scheduled stop. 

The comic previously performed a set on the platform last month, wearing a headset and holding controllers so his cartoon avatar could match his movements.

@stagetimevr Dom Hatton-Woods Live in StageTime VR! pt3 #VRComedy  #DomHattonWoods  #StageTimeVR #StandUp  #LIVE ♬ original sound  - StageTime

Hatton-Woods admits he thought doing a gig in VR was a ‘mental idea’, explaining: ‘I had no clue why anyone with access to virtual reality would choose to watch a comedian they’d never heard of talk about being lonely for 45 minutes when they could literally be killing zombies.

‘At one point I even said to the guy running it, "Do you not think this is a bit sad? Like… why don’t they just go outside?" On reflection, probably not the ideal thing to say to someone trying to give me work.

‘Then he completely flipped my perception of VR. He told me some of the people who come to these gigs struggle with crippling social anxiety — leaving the house feels impossible for them. But in VR, they find a community. They talk to people. They build confidence. Suddenly, going to a pub or a social event in the real world isn’t such a terrifying leap.

‘Then he said something that stopped me in my tracks: some people in the VR crowd literally can’t walk. In the real world they’re limited by disability – in VR, they can do whatever they want. They finally get to be part of something.

‘The gig itself was great. I loved it so much I convinced them to start a monthly VR comedy club. I host it, I book two other comics, and weirdly it’s become one of my favourite gigs. It’s not there to replace live comedy, but it’s a brilliant addition. Why not connect with people all over the world in one room? Plus you don't have to travel.’

The gigs are hosted on the StageTime app. Salford-based software studio Virtuware, which is behind the platform, said: ‘This marks a significant shift in the industry, where professional talent recognises VR as a legitimate, scalable venue for live performance.’

Sunday’s gig will be fully live which allows for real-time  heckling and crowd work with the virtual audience, which the developers say will ‘preserve the raw energy of a brick-and-mortar comedy club’.

Hatton-Woods – who has 97,000 followers and 4.7million likes on TikTok – will be joined by Eddy Midgley and Alex Camp for the virtual gig, which will be free on StageTime from 8pm on Sunday. 

Published: 25 Nov 2025