Perth will soon be home to an entertainment destination designed and custom built entirely for the ultimate enjoyment of live comedy – The Comedy Lounge in Perth CBD.
Owner operator John McAllister, who swapped his plastering trade for the comedy business over a decade ago, said it was he and wife Jane’s intention to elevate Perth’s comedy scene from bars and back rooms of pubs into a dedicated facility.
“Actors have theatres, acrobats have circus tents; comedy too is a specialised craft that is ideally presented in a certain environment and that New York cabaret style venue people associate with stand-ups like Seinfeld is what we’re building for Perth,” said McAllister.
Big names are no stranger to the Comedy Lounge which currently presents weekly shows at Little Creatures in Fremantle and the Charles Hotel in North Perth, where Chris Rock’s recent surprise appearance made news headlines.
McAllister said Perth can expect more big Australian and international comedy names to be dropping in and making exclusive appearances at the new Comedy Lounge in Perth City, alongside the newest and best Perth comedy talent it’s helping develop.
He added that the second floor venue with laneway entry, built atop an existing restaurant, contained a world-class fitout with state-of-the-art sound, lighting and interiors – even the cabaret tables are being custom made the perfect shape and size for comedy enjoyment.
“If you consider Sydney’s equivalent is outside their CBD, this venue is actually a first for any Australian capital city,” said McAllister.
The new Comedy Lounge on Murray Street intends to be a must-see attraction for both locals and tourists, akin to taking a quokka selfie or visiting Kings Park. The 260 seat venue will initially be open Thursday-Saturday with stand-up, Chicago style improv, musical comedy, after work ‘Happy Hour’ shows and late night weekend cabaret, with plans including the addition of matinee, Sunday and midweek shows in the near future.
“What Perth Concert Hall is to music, this will be for comedy – purpose-built, world-class and world-renowned,” said McAllister. “Comedians the world over will be drawn here and audiences will want to see them play here because it really will be the best place in all of WA to experience live comedy entertainment.”
The Comedy Lounge’s official opening date is set to be announced soon. Gift vouchers with an exclusive presale option and packages including tickets to the Comedy Lounge Perth City launch are now available via the crowdfunding platform Pozible.
