Comedy Store ventures to Mumbai

By Sanjiv Buttoo BBC Asian Network

Comedians like Ian Stone have been playing in India this week

London's famous Comedy Store has celebrated its 30th anniversary by announcing ambitious plans to open its first overseas branch.

The £2m comedy theatre complex in Mumbai's commercial district Worli is set to open later this year.

The Store's founder Don Ward has teamed up with Indian businessman Amar Aggarwal to provide a platform for Indians to come forward to try their hand at stand-up comedy.

"Why not Mumbai? It is home to over 25 million people and is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, it's a natural venue for a Comedy Store," says Ward.

"We want to bring our unique humour to India. There must be at least a dozen people walking around here who have the potential to be great comedians and we want to find them."

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Ward says he wants the Indian venture to be as successful as the London original.

"Over the past 30 years I have found many talented people who have gone on to become household names and we hope to invite new Indian comedians to our store in London to join them.

"It does not matter if you live in India or the UK, a joke is a joke and humour is humour and, as long as its told in English, we will all get it".

Who said Indians were repressed? Paul Tonkinson

Over the past week, three of the Comedy Store's top comedians, Sean Meo, Ian Stone and Paul Tonkinson, have been in India's financial capital performing to sell-out crowds.

The Blue Frog Nightclub, the Tata Theatre and the ITC Grand Maratha Hotel turned away hundreds of people who were paying the equivalent of about £25-£30 to get in.

"This is my first time in India and I love it, luckily I have not fallen ill or had an upset stomach - but I have not eaten any food or drunk any water for five days," jokes compere Meo.

"Yes, there is poverty out here but people don't complain, they just get on with what life has dealt them and seem to be happy and that's a refreshing thing to see.

"The crowds at all three venues have been great and have enjoyed our brand of comedy and I hope to come back and do some more stand-up," he said.

Tonkinson's adult style of humour seemed to go down well.

The Comedy Store has propelled the likes of Paul Merton and Ben Elton into the spotlight

"I love to play the audience and they even laughed at my more risque gags," he says.

"Who said Indians were repressed? They have laughed as loud as any crowd I can remember and it's been an honour to have been invited to come and work in Mumbai."

Ian Stone, who uses religion as his calling card, came on stage and asked: "Any fellow Jews in tonight?" before turning his attention to all the major faiths, engaging the crowd in a way not seen before in this multicultural city.

"Watching old men fall off their seats laughing and hearing the wave of hysterics continually surging through the theatre was great.

"We did not hold back and gave Mumbai a real taste of just what we do in London every week. They loved it and so did we."

Comedy fan Satwinder Lota, who is from Leeds but now lives in Mumbai, can not believe how well the night was received.

"I can't wait until Mumbai's Comedy Store opens later this year, it will certainly jazz up my weekends and I will be a regular."

Dalbir Bains, who moved from London to the Juhu area of the city, said: "I have laughed so much my cheeks are hurting and I have never enjoyed myself so much in one night since I moved out here three years ago. It was naughty but brilliant.

Locals also enjoyed the evening, with one describing it as a "great stress reliever".

Deepak Bedi will manage the Comedy Store in Mumbai.

"We are the largest democracy in the world and Indians really know about humour and pushing the boundaries, but you guys out there just don't know that.

"Our aim is to find some good home-grown talent so you can enjoy Indian-style stand-up in London and New York".

The Comedy Store is due to open in December ahead of two more taster weeks starring British comedians in Mumbai and New Delhi in October.

You can hear Sanjiv's report at 1230 and 1800 BST today on the BBC Asian Network.

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