Comedy company Sober Is Fun is aiming to launch a regular comedy night in London in which no alcohol is served. The first gig will take place at the Fugitive Motel in Bethnal Green on Sunday 10th November 2019. The bill will include John Ryan, Geoff Boyz and Rudi Lickwood.

The Sober Is Fun gigs are the brainchild of promoter Martyn Davies, who has gone sober for over a year now. He says: "Comedy nights are two a penny now, cropping up all over the place, as we know. Having worked in the professional comedy industry for over 12 years and recently gone sober, I found there was a market for people who do not drink for whatever reason, and want to enjoy quality entertainment, but in a safe secure space away from the necessity of alcohol.

"Our events are of course open to drinkers who just fancy a night off the booze, as alcohol will not be on sale during the show."

Sober Is Fun launched a year ago, as an occasional gig in Chelmsford.

Talking further about how not having drunk audience members in the room can change the vibe of a comedy show, Davies says: "Having worked in comedy club environments for a long time, I have seen how alcohol can disturb fantastic evenings. Our nights are not hindered by chatty customers, people getting up every 2 minutes to use the toilets and, best of all, no un-necessary, not funny heckling - just pure comedy loving attentive audiences!"

Frank Skinner, who has been teetotal for a number of years now, has shown his support for the idea. Martyn says: "Frank was touring in Chelmsford and popped into one of our old venues - Abstinence Bar - to say hello. He loves the concept, being sober himself! Frank has never appeared at our shows (yet!), but we are privileged to have his support."

As well as expanding to London, Sober Is Fun will continue in Chelmsford. There's another show scheduled in the Essex city on 27th October and a Christmas Party show, to celebrate the organisation's first birthday, has been booked for 22nd December too.