A POPULAR comedy club in Bournemouth is launching a brand-new event night at the Avon Social Club starting later this month.

Carl’s Comedy Club newest event will bring laughter back into the historic building, following in the footsteps of British comedy icon Tony Hancock, who performed his first set on the club’s stage.

With a side-splitting line-up, including Mock the Week and 8 out of 10 Cats writer Morgan Rees, the evening of Thursday, September 30, promises to pack a punchline.

The evening will be hosted by Carl Filer, who is well-known for his previous sell-out shows across the county including Poole Yacht Club, monthly evenings at Chaplin’s in Boscombe and, most recently, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.

“The first Carl’s Comedy Club show in 2016 was where I did my first stand-up set, all about how I was fired from B&Q for failing a personality test – who knew that was possible – but I much prefer being the compère," he said.

“For the new comedy nights at the Avon Social Club, I’ll be doing the hosting and bringing in some great acts to do the stand-up, like Morgan Rees, Nathan Eagle, Michael Frankland, Sandi Smith and more.

“They’re all brilliant, much better than me.”

The line-up for the opening night on September 30 includes both well-known names and newcomers, all offering fantastic, unique styles, from self-deprecating quips to darker humour.

Carl added: “I’ve been thinking about taking this next step for a while, and after the year live entertainment has just had, I thought, let’s do it.

“Like everyone, I missed it a lot during lockdown, and I know other people have too, so that gave me the motivation to get going. And the Avon Social Club is the perfect place to do it.

“I want people to come to these evenings and feel able to laugh, relax and enjoy themselves – even if they have an embarrassing laugh”

The story that Tony Hancock, the British comedy icon famous for his 1950s show Hancock’s Half Hour, performed for the first time at the Avon Social Club is more than just local legend.

Debbie Snooks, the club’s entertainment secretary, said: “Without the commemorative plaque outside, you could walk straight past the building and have no idea that such a legend of British comedy started his career on our stage back in July 1940.

“Not that it went particularly well for him at the time, as his material was a little too outrageous for the audience.

“We’re so looking forward to having Carl’s Comedy Club bringing laughter back to the Tony Hancock Laughter Lounge every month.”