XS Malarkey
@ Remedy, Wilmslow Road (next to Sainsburys), Fallowfield, M14 6XS
www.xsmalarkey.com
Manchester comedy was having a boom time during the 1990's with a major amount of performing and writing talent coming from the City. Coogan, Aherne, Thompson, Kay and many more put Manchester on the map for all things mirthful. Another surname would soon be added to this list - Hadoke!
In 1997, a young chap by the name of Toby Hadoke began a small comedy club in Fallowfield called Murphys Malarkey at Scruffy Murphys (now a Scream Bar known as the Cheshire Cat). Each week he would book and host this night with little known comedians with names like Peter Kay and Dave Spikey. Time was up for the night at Scruffy Murphys, thus Toby seeked another venue and found Malarkey an new home just up the road at Bar XS (Now Remedy in September 2001, where the headline acts on that night were Toby Foster and Jimmy Carr. The night was truly a turning point as Toby Foster took the audience out of the old venue and marched them down to the new one. From there, things only got better - the club has won Best Comedy Club (North) four times at The Chortle Awards, and Best Comedy Club twice at The North West Comedy Awards. Toby Hadoke also won 'Best Off-Stage Contribution' at the 2008 Chortle Awards.
Comedians whose began their careers at XS Malarkey include Jason Manford, Alan Carr and Justin Moorhouse. The club has also featured appearances from Stewart Lee, Mick Miller, Chris Addison, Dave Spikey, Reginald D Hunter, Russell Howard, Jo Caulfield, Jimmy Cricket and many more. This night continues to go from strength to strength which is why XS Malarkey is still here today. Don't be thinking that just because its in Studentsville, regular folk aren't welcome, oh no. There is no audience snobbery at all. Wanna know the best part: The prices haven't changed much either. If you are an XS Malarkey member, then its £2 entry for you. Full price admission is £5, but if you become a lifetime member at the cost of £7 (thats £5 for that night & £2 cost for your membership card), then all your other visits will be priced at £2. With times like these, thats not a bad price for two an a half hours of comedy. Pictured (l-r: Ros, Leanne & Spider, XS Malarkey's Doorhens & DoorRooster)
XS Malarkey takes place every Tuesday at Bar Remedy on Wilmslow Road, next to Sainburys in Fallowfield. However, they are running a series of gigs under the F. O.F.F banner, the Festival Of Funny February. See their website for all special one off shows this month.
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