03 September 2025
Marco Gandolfi
Friday 26 September sees smash-hit comedy night Live Next To The Apollo mark its second birthday with an anniversary special gig featuring Thor Stenhaug, Jeff Innocent, Darren Harriott, plus one more to be announced.
Since launching in 2023, Live Next To The Apollo has become one of London’s most talked-about comedy nights — selling out week after week, building a loyal local following, and generating over one million Instagram views this summer. Hosted and curated by TV producer Jonathan Stadlen, the show has already featured more than 200 of the UK’s top stand-ups, from rising stars to big-name headliners. Tickets are famously affordable — just £12 on Fridays — with all profits going directly to the comedians, a transparent profit-share model that has won the night huge respect in the industry.
To mark its second anniversary, Live Next To The Apollo has announced major expansion plans. From early 2026, the show is looking to increase its number of weekly performances at Riverside Studios to meet audience demand, while also touring to larger venues and festivals across the South East — bringing its trademark warmth, affordability and top-class comedy to new towns including Bromley, Kingston, Berkhamsted, Henley-on-Thames and Tunbridge Wells.
Jonathan Stadlen said, “It’s been an incredible two years. We set out to create a warm and friendly comedy experience that looks after both audiences and acts — and the response has been beyond anything I hoped for. I can’t wait to celebrate this milestone night at Riverside and then take the Live Next To The Apollo experience to even more people this autumn and next year.”
Alongside the anniversary special, Live Next To The Apollo brings a full month of comedy to Riverside Studios, with line-ups mixing TV favourites and rising stars. September highlights include Paul Tonkinson (Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow), Laura Smyth (Live at the Apollo, Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club) and Stephen Bailey (Celebs Go Dating, Unbreakable), alongside Edinburgh buzz acts like Michelle Shaughnessy and Joe Sutherland — all leading up to the 2nd birthday celebration on Friday 26 September.
