The Funny Farm Comedy Club at Wivenhoe FC Clubhouse

Stand-up comedy in Wivenhoe

ThursdaySeptember 29^th2005 saw the launch of a new monthly stand-up comedy night at Wivenhoe TownFC’s clubhouse. The Funny Farm Comedy Club is run by local Hazel Humphreys and her fellow comedian, Toby Edwards.

Hazel said, “I’m a fairly new comedian and have been struck by how many popular comedy clubs there are elsewhere in the country, but not so many close to Colchester. For two years I’ve helped run the extremely successful regular comedy night at Essex University, but the problem with that is that it wasn’t open to people who didn’t work or study at the University because of licensing, and I could only get non-students in by putting them on a limited guest list. I know from attendance at the non-regular Arts Centre comedy nights that there are people out there who love live comedy, but sadly there is little that is both regular and cheap available for them in the area. The Football Club were kind enough to let us use their venue, and we got a great first line-up for the 29^th September 2005 gig, including comedian and presenter of BBC2’s “Escape to the Country”, Nick Page, and the excellent professional compere, Alexis Dubus, plus three extremely talented support acts who are in demand at comedy clubs throughout the UK.”

Toby, who performs under the stage name “Tony Cowards” has been running and compering his own comedy club, “Suffolk n’ Funny” at the Plough Inn in Ipswich, where he hails from, for just under a year – regularly packing out an intimate room in the town centre.

“In recent years stand-up comedy clubs have become a hugely popular choice for a night out, probably because people can drink and be sociable at them as well as enjoying the humour, and possibly picking up some new jokes. The Funny Farm has a mix of professional and established comics headlining and compering with up-and-coming talented support acts. Therefore as well as being an affordable and fun night out there should be enough variety between all the acts so there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

The Funny Farm will run monthly usually on the last Thursday of the month in Wivenhoe Town FC clubhouse at the Broad Lane stadium off Elmstead Rd, Wivenhoe. Doors open at 7pm and the comedy starts at 8pm, with the venue closing at normal pub times. Pay on the door, £5 (or £3.50 concessions). For more information email:

Click on the entry below to see latest news and details of previous gigs:

• Funny Far Comedian of the Year 2009

• Funny farm dates – Spring 2009 

• Wivenhoe Funny Farm now has sister club in Colchester – Oct07