LONDON – The Venue will open refurbished top tier balcony for first time in 15 years bringing the distanced capacity to 400. Following a Government approved pilot, and hosting the first indoor live comedy events since lockdown, The Clapham Grand is proud to provide a safe home for audiences to be entertained again and performers and staff to return to work. Clapham Grand has been restored to its original Victorian glory, whilst embracing the future with TV quality live streamed shows to a global audience of thousands
More details from the Clapham Grand (https://claphamgrand.com/whats-on/):
Following on from three successful Save Live Comedy shows in August, featuring the likes of Al Murray, Jayde Adams, Ed Gamble and Kerry Godliman, which raised over £15k; the announcement that Clapham Grand is one of 135 grassroots music venues to receive emergency funding as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund; and raising over £50k themselves, the Clapham Grand is excited to announce it is once again opening its doors to customers for a number of shows in September, October and November.
To coincide with a number of confirmed shows, the Clapham Grand has this week unveiled the reopening of its top balcony, which has been closed for 15 years – not in use since Oasis last played at the venue! The newly refurbished area will increase the post-lockdown capacity of the venue by 100, taking it to 400 (these numbers are reduced from 1250 due to physical distancing), bringing the venue back to its original Victorian glory. Refurbishing and opening the upper circle has given the venue an extra 100 tickets to sell with distancing, although is still trading over 50% below the former capacity of 1250 – but these extra tickets give the venue more chance to make the new financial model work and survive this period.
Some of the brightest new stars and biggest names in comedy, drag and music are set to take to the stage in the coming months, reflecting The Grand’s ongoing desire to showcase the very best in modern variety, comedy, music and entertainment. These shows are the building blocks to The Grand being able to reopen consistently and rebuilding its business model to secure a long-term future.
The Clapham Grand will host arena-selling comedians such as Russell Howard and Jimmy Carr; Drag Superstar and Big Brother winner Courtney Act; UK Drag Race Winner The Vivienne, Baga Chipz, pop icon Louise Redknapp; and the return of The Grand’s Movie Nights with a: ‘It’s Saturday October 3rd’ special screening of Mean Girls.
This Sunday just gone saw Russell Howard take to the Clapham Grand stage as part of a run of ‘work in progress’ shows and this Friday 18th September, Frank Turner, returns to Clapham Grand – after raising £25k for the ‘Save The Grand’ campaign by playing a Government endorsed pilot of his ‘Independent Venue Love’ live stream from the venue in the summer.
Frank Turner has been pivotal to the venue’s journey to survive after the enforced Covid closure, and it is therefore fitting to welcome him back to the official opening of Clapham Grand’s upper circle for the first time since 2005.
Frank Turner said: “I’m really happy to be continuing the journey out of lockdown in step with my friends at the Grand. After a fundraising stream and a historic pilot show, it’s great to be back to mark the re-opening up of the upper circle, and a show that is another milestone in the return of live music to the city and the venues that I love”
Clapham Grand manager Ally Wolf said of the upcoming shows: “We are incredibly proud to announce our first run of shows after lockdown, and in the process to reopen our upper circle, which has been closed to customers for 15 years!
“We can’t think of a better way of doing this than by welcoming back Frank Turner to kick things off on the 18th September at our launch party. He’s been an incredible supporter of not just us – but grass roots venues nationwide during lockdown – with his spirit and determination to help our industry survive, playing a huge part in ensuring so many venues are still here today. After helping us raise £25k for Grand Aid – if anyone should be the first live act to play our restored Victorian Variety Hall’s reopening night it should be him!
“It is amazing to be open again – to not only be able to bring our wonderful team back to work, artists and performers back onto our stage – but more importantly audiences back to being entertained, safely of course.
“We were purpose built for entertainment, for providing much needed escapism from everyday life, which is needed now more than ever.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone back through our doors again, for some very special shows showcasing everything The Clapham Grand is famous for, a palace of modern variety, and above all else FUN.”
