Dark Shaftesbury Gets Two-Night Comedy Rush

As speculation regarding the Shaftesbury Theatre’s next resident continues to mount, comedy showcase Comedy Rush, which features 60 acts in 60 minutes, has announced it will play the West End venue on 24 February and 24 March 2011.

The 24 February show will be hosted by Rufus Hound and feature a line up of “rapid raconteurs” including stand-ups Brendon Burns, Lucy Porter, Robin Ince, Terry Alderton, Simon Munnery and Andrew Maxwell, and sketch groups Cardinal Burns and Pappy’s Fun’s Club.

The March event will then showcase “breakneck buffoonery” from the likes of Scott Capurro, Rob Rouse, Isy Suttie, Adam Bloom, Junior Simpson, Paul Foot, Phil Nichol, Rhys Thomas and Miss Behave. 

Billed as “the traditional variety show for the ADHD generation”, Comedy Rush was first staged at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2001, giving comedians and variety acts just 60 seconds each to make their mark. Previous participants have included Dara O’Briain, Sarah Millican, Rhod Gilbert, Jimmy Carr, Alan Carr, Stewart Lee, Noel Fielding and Russell Howard.

The Shaftesbury is currently dark following the early closure of Flashdance on 15 January 2011. The forthcoming musical adaptation of Rebecca had announced plans to premiere at the venue this spring, but recently withdrew  due to technical issues caused by a stream running underneath the theatre.

Other shows recently rumoured to be coming to the Shaftesbury include Anna Mackmin’s Sheffield production of Me and My Girl (now believed to be looking for another venue), Derren Brown’s latest show Svengali, which is likely to have a summer run, and, later in the year, the transfer of hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages.