New Act Night

On 1 December 2026, the Komedia Basement in Brighton will host another edition of the New Act Night. This event serves as a platform for students graduating from the Jill Edwards Comedy Workshops to perform their material in front of an audience. Jill Edwards has been running these workshops since 1994, and the programme has been associated with the early development of comedians such as Jimmy Carr, Shaparak Khorsandi, Romesh Ranganathan, Angela Barnes, and Jack Skipper. The evening is structured to provide a space for these new performers to gain stage experience, allowing the audience to see a range of emerging talent as they take their first steps in the comedy circuit.

The venue is located at 44-47 Gardner Street, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1UN. Doors for the event open at 19:00, with the performances scheduled to begin at 20:00. Seating in the basement is unreserved, so attendees can choose their spots upon arrival. Regarding the entry costs, standard tickets are priced at £10.00, while a ticket option including loaded fries is available for £16.00. A booking fee of £2.00 applies to these purchases. The event has a strict age restriction of 16+, meaning it is not suitable for younger children. It is generally advised to book tickets in advance to ensure entry, as the capacity of the basement is limited.

The showcase focuses on the variety of new talent emerging from the workshops, with participants from different backgrounds and age groups. It is a regular fixture in the local comedy scene, providing a setting for those interested in observing the development of new acts. The format allows for a mix of styles, as each performer brings their own perspective to the stage. Because the event is tied to the workshop curriculum, the content reflects the training provided by Jill Edwards, who has maintained a consistent presence in the Brighton comedy community for over three decades. The atmosphere is informal, reflecting the nature of a workshop showcase where the primary objective is to provide stage time for those completing their training. It is a straightforward way to spend an evening if you are interested in the local comedy scene and the process of how new acts are introduced to the public.