Seven open-air gigs in London this summer

Somerset House is to stage a comedy festival this summer, the first time the London venue has presented stand-up.

Laughterama, which runs from July 29 to August 2, will take place in the  central courtyard, with seven open-air shows planned across the five nights

The festival is being organised by 57, the South London company run by siblings Will Briggs and Cass Randolph, stepchildren of the late Malcolm Hardee.

The pair have been running outdoor comedy festivals since 2009, when they launched the Greenwich Comedy Festival at the Old Royal Naval College. They have since staged similar events in Bristol, Cambridge, Brighton, St Albans and Norwich.

Laughterama Manchester, which began in 2022, has featured  the likes of James Acaster, Adam Buxton and Aisling Bea – although the London line-up has yet to be announce.

Randolph said: 'We're thrilled to be bringing these shows to such an iconic location. Pairing world-class programming with striking backdrops is at the heart of what we do, and it doesn't get much better than this.'

Briggs added: 'These shows will be huge — since starting our festivals we've dreamt of bringing one to Somerset House.'

Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House, said: 'The unique setting of the courtyard will be the perfect location to host some of the most trailblazing comedians and their fans.’

The venue has long hosted music gigs with Lightning Seeds, The Cribs and The Flaming Lips playing this summer.

The news comes after the Roundhouse in Camden also announced its comedy festival would be returning following its first edition in 2023. No names have been released for this either, but it will run from August 1 to 18.

Published: 1 Apr 2026