Streatham's Hideaway bar set for comedy room's launch night (From Croydon Guardian)

Streatham's Hideaway bar set for comedy room's launch night

9:59am Wednesday 23rd March 2011 in Comedy By Andrew Brassleay

The serious business of refurbishment is over and laughing matters take over when The Hideaway re-opens its refurbished second room on Friday.

And The Empire Mews venue boasts a strong line-up for the room's launch night.

After appearances on Michael McIntrye's Roadshow and Dave's One Night Stand, as well as his role as high-pitched, nervous builder Marco in BBC Three's Ideal, headliner Andrew Lawrence hasn't done too badly on the gogglebox for a man whose Edinburgh Festival show last year was called The Too Ugly For Television Tour.

Lawrence's darkly funny humour has been getting more exposure of late and, for the second year in a row, was a nominee for the best headliner gong at the Chortle Awards.

Having also appeared on Michael McIntyre's BBC1 show, Kenyan-born Imran Yusuf comes to the Hideaway in between dates for his 42-date UK tour. Yusuf's high-energy and light-hearted satire earned him a nomination in the best newcomer category in the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards last year.

Seattle's Erich McElroy completes the line-up. McElroy started to perform in the UK in 2001 and much of his observational humour derives from the difference between the two nations.

The new room will not just act as a comedy venue but can also be hired out for private hire for parties.

The Hideaway's Nick Nealson says: "We can become far more flexible with hosting glamourous private parties for people, as obviously we don't want to shut the club down at the weekend to people who come here week in, week out, and we can give people a choice of music or comedy.

"Comedy fans will notice the difference to the venue straight away. We expect them to go 'wow' when they see the new stage and bar - it's not identical to the main room and it will have its own identity."

Comedy at the Hideaway, The Hideaway, 2 Empire Mews, Streatham, March 25, doors open 7pm, show starts 9pm, £10, call 020 8835 7070, or visit hideawaylive.co.uk.