The Wrong Show

By Thom Milson

Tomorrow it will be nine months since the first ever HOWL Alternative Comedy Night. A lot of things have changed in that time, especially the comedy scene in Leeds. When we started HOWL Leeds had two nights*: Comedy Cellar at the Verve, and Mr Bens Comedy Club Gong Show. Now there is HOWL, Pigeon Hole, Comedy Cellar at the Verve, Mr Bens Comedy Club Gong Show, Mr Bens RAW, Generic Comedy Night, Sh!ts and G!ggles, and Latent Mutant Comedy. There will probably be even more by Christmas.

At the moment Leeds is really coming alive. It feels like the beginning of something special (and something new). I was talking to an act I know in Manchester and he mentioned how much the scene seems to be diminishing there. It doesn’t have to be that way if the performers start taking responsibility and putting things on. That’s how it got so good in the first place. That’s what is happening here.

I have to be honest though, it isn’t perfect, but I think that’s refreshing. We live in a world in which people now expect things to be perfect all of the time. I find this boring: nothing is as exciting as something that feels like it’s going to keep getting better and better, and that’s what all this feels like to me.

Tomorrow we’re presenting a great selection of comedians at HOWL #8. We have Michael Sterrett hosting, Myself, Si Finnigan, John Briscoe, Liam Pickford, Jacob Rawcliffe, and Callum Scott all performing in what is going to be a very refreshing night of comedy. I can’t say too much without giving certain things away, but what I can say is that it will be different, and very very funny. It would be a shame to miss it.

*I don’t count nights like House of Fun Comedy, Whatever it is Oceana does, and Highlight.

HOWL Alternative Comedy Night takes place on the first Thursday of each month, upstairs at Santiago Bar in Leeds. 

Follow us on Twitter: @howlcomedygroup