Wanstead’s Laugh-Able comedy night returns with an all-LGBTQ+ line-up, including a UK Pun Championships finalist. The accessible event simply asks the audience to pay what they can afford, says Mark Nicholas
Hello Wanstead locals! This month, the only award-winning disability and mental health-themed comedy night will opens its doors once again for another fantastic showcase of talent! And you only need to pay what you can afford to be in the audience; you can even reserve for free if you need to!
For February’s performance, there is an additional theme. I am very proud to be working with Redbridge Rainbow, One Place East and Vision RCL to be showcasing the most up-and-coming and best LGBTQ+ acts on the UK comedy circuit. What a fantastic way to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with immense pride!
LGBTQ+ causes have always been close to my heart. I have learned so much from close friends in my life who identify as LGBTQ+ and have witnessed the trials and tribulations they have faced because of their identity. And so it is an honour to be with them as they celebrate who they are. I am, and always will be, an ally to such an important cause. So, when Rhonda from Vision RCL came to me a few years ago at the very start of this Laugh-Able venture with an idea to include an LGBTQ+ night as part of our monthly event, I embraced it with open arms. Over the years, so many incredible LGBTQ+ comedians have graced our Laugh-Able stage including Jen Ives, Andrew O’Neil and Rosie Jones.
This month, we have Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year finalist Stephanie Laing closing the show. Stephanie began on the Scottish comedy scene in 2007 and since then has performed at the most prestigious comedy clubs in the UK, including The Laughterhouse, Frog and Bucket, The Stand, Komedia and The Comedy Store.
As this will be an all-LGBTQ+ line-up, I will be temporarily stepping back from my regular duties as MC to give a guest host the chance to shine. I will, of course, be there cheering everyone on (and helping Rhonda, Paul and Albert with all the amazing behind-the-scenes work they do to make this show run so smoothly). So, for this month, you will be left in the very capable hands of US comic Rabiah Coon, who is now based in London. After beginning her stand-up career in San Diego, she quickly developed a reputation for her unique style, blending storytelling with dry humour and a dash of self-deprecation. And last year, Rabiah was a finalist in the UK Pun Championships.
Special thanks go to Vision RCL, One Place East and Redbridge Rainbow for supporting this month’s show and to Wanstead Village Directory for giving me the space to publish this article. See you in the audience!
The Laugh-Able LGBTQ+ comedy night will take place at Wanstead Library on 19 February from 7.30pm to 9.30pm (pay what you can afford). For tickets and details of future events, visit wnstd.com/laugh2025
