Top class northern comic Johnny Vegas is to perform two nights during a week long launch of a brand new venue for Nottingham’s critically acclaimed Just the Tonic comedy club.

The well-established club – which Vegas describes as the best in the country – will open its doors at a new 400-seater capacity venue ‘The Forum’ in the Cornerhouse on Burton Street on Sunday September 26^th with two nights of stand-up from the ever-popular Johnny.

For owner Darrell Martin it will see the culmination of five years hard work – and a little bit of help from a star studded cast. Megastar Ricky Gervais – who performed his first ever stand up in Just the Tonic – laid on a comedy night in London featuring himself, Russell Brand, Jimmy Carr and Stewart Lee to raise over £80,000 funding for the new venture.

Darrell told thenorthernline: “Ricky did his first ever stand up gig back in the original Just the Tonic Club in Nottingham. So when I was looking for a new venue, I asked him for some help. He was amazing and agreed to do a live gig.  It sold out in a few hours so he agreed to do a second night. The money we raised has been invested into this new club at the The Forum in the Cornerhouse and now we can continue to bring the best comedy to Nottingham” added Darrell.

Ricky Gervais added: “The first time I met Darrell he invited me to play his club in Nottingham. The second time I met him I didn’t recognize him from the first time I met him. I thought he was a homeless drunk who’d just started talking to me at the bar. The third time I met him he asked me to do a 1700 seater venue. Yes he’s got a nice friendly hobo face. And yes he’s a funny guy and a great promoter. But enough is enough.”

The line up for the first week is already impressive with Johnny Vegas, Ed Byrne, Stewart Lee, Sarah Millican and Daniel Kitson already lined up.

Just the Tonic will host comedy every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday nights. With 55,000 students hitting the city this Autumn it is bound to be a sure fire winner.

Darrel said:

“Just the Tonic has a reputation which attracts the top names to perform. When I started the Club 16 years ago, the line up boasted some of the top comics of the time including Matt Lucas, Al Murray and Noel Fielding, and that standard remains the same today.”

“Nottingham is where all the nationwide auditions are held for this show which takes eight new acts up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival every year. Just the Tonic funds the Big Value Show in Edinburgh and in the past it has uncovered top names such as Sarah Millican, Jon Richardson, Jim Jeffries and the new host of The One Show, Jason Manford. Tickets to the auditions are completely free and you might just watch a future star. Just the Tonic is proud to invest in uncovering new comedians.”

Just the Tonic also has a London club based at the Leicester Square Theatre in the heart of the Capital. “I am confident that the new Just the Tonic Club in Nottingham will quickly become one of the best comedy clubs outside of London and will certainly offer the best comedy for miles around.”

An exclusive “launch week” ticket is available for £38 which gets you in to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays shows to see such acts as Jonny Vegas, Milton Jones and Ed Byrne and gives you a saving of £8.

The new-look Just the Tonic Club will have its official launch on Sunday 26^th September at the Cornerhouse, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4DB. Tickets for shows can be booked online at www.justthetonic.com or by calling 0115 9100009. Follow Just the Tonic on Twitter @justthetonic for the latest news from the Club.

By Stu on September 17, 2010