Komedia Brighton Welcomes Komedia Bath
Published 23rd Oct 2006 by Chris Challis

KOMEDIA, Brighton’s independently financed arts organization, is set to export its European café entertainment concept to a second UK city, proposing to rejuvenate an empty city centre picture house in Bath. Following a recent open tender for the Beau Nash Picture House, formerly the ABC Cinema in Westgate Street, Komedia is now in the process of finalising a lease for the building with Bath & North East Somerset Council. A beautiful grade II art deco cinema, The Beau Nash, previously operated by The Odeon group, will be home to Komedia Bath - the first permanent Komedia venue to operate outside Brighton.

Upon completion of the lease terms and extensive refurbishment, Komedia intends to open its Bath venue in time for the city’s Fringe Festival next June. The entertainment planned for the former picture house will match that offered at Komedia's award-winning venue in Brighton. This includes a rich programme of cabaret, music and comedy.

Inspired by the European tradition of cabaret theatre, audiences can enjoy a meal while watching a show. It will also feature an all-day café where customers can find out about what shows are on, purchase tickets, and enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat.

Colin Granger, Komedia’s Managing Director, said: “Komedia is delighted that the Council has chosen us over many other strong candidates for the building. Komedia has been looking for the ideal city to export its live entertainment concept to for over three years and we strongly feel that Bath is the city and the Beau Nash Picture House the perfect building for us.”

A large and diverse arts and entertainment programme is presented at Komedia’s Brighton venue. It features international and national performers, and also plays host to a unique range of Komedia-grown resident shows such as the Kroon Kat Lounge and the Treason Show. It has also helped launch the careers of Graham Norton, the League of Gentlemen and The Mighty Boosh. The venue has won many awards including Best Cultural Destination in the City and Best Comedy Venue in the South. Komedia is also active on the Edinburgh Fringe, producing venues and promoting it’s artists and resident shows, and is a producer of broadcast entertainment.

Councillor Colin Darracott, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said "It is terrific news. Komedia have an unequalled track record of providing a variety of live entertainment. The much loved cinema will be rejuvenated and this will then be the catalyst to revitalise Westgate Street and the Sawclose area, in fitting with our vision for a lively entertainment quarter."

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