From the editor: Comic boom

This is one of my favourite times of the year. When the beach is ours during the week, and comedians across the country look for spaces to preview their new shows, laying bare their work in progress process, and naturally gravitate to our city.

Brighton has a well earned reputation for having comedy savvy audience. Over the last few decade it has grown to become one of the most supportive and appreciative places in the country for new and respected comedy to flourish. It’s not that I’ve done a clinical survey, but over the years interviewing respected comics they’ve raved about the city to me, the audiences, and the special relationships they have with the clubs.

This is why when Michael McIntyre played the Brighton Dome in his first series of Michael McIntyre’s Roadshow he did a secret warm up set the night before at Komedia. And why the likes of Paul Sinha, Nish Kumar, Lucy Porter and Robin Ince return to the comedy-loving pub the Caroline Of Brunswick – and Lloyd Langford, Zoe Lyons and Flo & Jo will be found at Komedia, all furiously whittling their preview shows into their true shapes ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe in August. (p8)

I also love the amount of home grown enjoyment we can find and point our comic visitors in the direction of, showing we’re not just all about being the most excellent of audiences. Andrew Kay samples the delights of Gusbourne sparkling wines at The Ginger Dog (p6), and then draw out attention to yet another great show coming son to the Brighton Open Air Theatre (p8) – and Andy Garth shares more local history gems (p16). We are the lucky ones.

Victoria Nangle
editorial@thelatest.co.uk