Uckfield cinema owner gets people laughing out loud

Cinema owner Kevin Markwick is encouraging people to laugh out loud while enjoying comedy shows he organises in Uckfield.

Once a month his High Street Picture House is transformed into a Laughter Lounge where top comedians perform live to packed audiences.

The latest sell-out show featured Josie Long, Michael Legge and Sarah Bennetto. Their performances were introduced by comperes, the Sussex double act Dyball and Kerr.

It is now six months since the launch of the comedy venture and Kevin says all the shows have been very good. The Laughter Lounge is offering a professional slick evening of entertainment.

Favourite seat

In the latest audience Alison Collings and Chris Hall, both from Uckfield, said this was the second time they had visited the Laughter Lounge and they were enjoying themselves. Their favourite seat was in the front row.

Gavin Rainbow, who attended with wife and friends, said he thought the show was very good. “I will come again,” he added.

Sharon Cannon said she and her husband, who moved to Uckfield three years ago, had been to comedy clubs before and decided to give the Laughter Lounge a try. “This is a nice, cosy atmosphere,” she added.

Anis Marks encouraged two friends, Amy Gooch and Katie Shaw, from Tunbridge Wells, to join her for the show and they all said it was great. “Brilliant, it’s really good having this in Uckfield and I like it for a Monday as well,” said Anis.

Comedy Store

Richard Dyball, half of the Dyball and Kerr comedy act, said he lived locally and watched films as a child at the Picture House.

He was then a weekly visitor as an adult with Comedy Store player Neil Mullarkey – both their wives worked in London and returned home late - and they made Monday night film night.

It was Neil who, after talking through the concept with cinema owner Kevin Markwick, introduced Richard to the Laughter Lounge and Richard says he and Alastair Kerr enjoy their time on stage as part of the show.

Look out for the next Laughter Lounge which will be held on Monday, December 5, when comedians Paul Sinha, Simon Donald and Matthew Crosby take to the stage.

More details can be found at www.picturehouseuckfield.com. Telephone 01825 763822.

Here's the Laughter Lounge Facebook page.

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