A Review from the Green Room: 16 July 2026

After a short summer hiatus, the club returned on Thursday 16 July in fine form, with a packed room and an audience more than ready for an evening of laughter. Guiding proceedings was our genial host, Luke Lamont, who welcomed everyone back with his customary warmth before introducing another varied and talented line-up.

Opening the show was Grant Allen, whose background as an ex-serviceman provided rich material for his set. His military anecdotes landed particularly well, none more so than his response to the perennial question, “Have you ever killed anyone?”—“I was a sparky…” Grant’s set took in everything from his height and childhood nicknames to conspiracy theories, setting the tone for the evening and getting the audience laughing from the outset.

Next up was Portsmouth’s Lauren Buck, who immediately won over the crowd with her description of herself as being “middle class poor, with the accent of someone who owns horses and the income of someone who bets on them.” Her material covered the perils of having a generous chest during a heatwave, the ups and downs of being overweight, life with cats, and the eternal question of whether moving out of the family home is really all it's cracked up to be. Her easy-going delivery and self-deprecating humour really struck a chord with the audience.

Alex Rossi followed with an entertaining look at the complications of modern life and relationships. From breaking up with a girlfriend to the awkwardness of trying to avoid an ex at work, his observations were both relatable and neatly delivered. Along the way, he also took aim at fitness culture and veganism, proving that no corner of contemporary life is safe from a comedian's eye.

Then came Jack Bartlett, whose rapid-fire one-liners kept the audience on its toes. His jokes came thick and fast; if you were still laughing at one punchline, there was every chance you'd miss the next. It's a style that demands attention and rewards it generously, and Jack had the room hanging on every word.

Closing the evening was headliner Radu Isac, whose surreal and intelligent set provided a fitting finale. With a unique perspective on everything from unemployment versus laziness to the strange reality of working simply because society expects us to, he offered a delightfully offbeat take on modern life. He also reflected on economics and the challenges of obtaining UK citizenship, weaving personal experience with absurdist observations to great effect.

All in all, it was a triumphant return after the break: a thoroughly entertaining evening that showcased a wide range of comedic styles, from sharp one-liners and observational humour to surreal storytelling. If this is how the club is kicking off the second half of the year, audiences have plenty to look forward to in the months ahead.