School for stand-up

COMEDY

In 1963, Budd Friedman opened a comedy club called The Improv in New York for aspiring stand-ups. Thirty-five years later, it has 15 branches around the world and a list of graduates that reads like a Comedy Hall of Fame. Roseanne, Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, Richard Pryor and Lily Tomlin all cut their comedy teeth at The Improv.

Now, we have a chance to see what all the fuss has been about as the latest Improv club is opening in London next Friday. Hosted by John Lenehan, one of the few amusing comedy magicians in the universe, the impressive bill features the relaunched Rob Newman (right), the sparky Donna McPhail, and the promising Omid Djalili.

Obviously, a typical American shrinking violet, the 66-year-old Friedman declares: "Comedy in the UK has gone ballistic in recent years, and there is a real pool of talent here. I intend to fish in that pool and give comedians the best opportunities at the world's best comedy club." Nothing like a bit of understatement to get things off the ground, is there?

David Giles is a Brit who has, for the past 15 years, run hotels and clubs in the States - including one with Ron Wood from the Rolling Stones. ("Woody's behavioural habits are fairly well-documented. Doing business with him was eventful, but enjoyable.") Returning home, Giles spotted a gap in the market for a large venue dedicated to comedy, so he set up the London franchise of The Improv in the old Cockney Cabaret on Tottenham Court Rd. Featuring The Improv's trademark brick-wall backdrop and a vaudeville- hall interior, the club will seat 400 and serve American diner-style meals. Is there anyone out there who still doubts that comedy is big business?

Most enticingly, Giles claims that The Improv will be able to use its name to lure some of the biggest American names on to its stage. "Robin Williams is filming here next month, and we'll be getting in touch with him. Also, Seinfeld is in Britain in early July, and we anticipate him coming by the club."

Start camping on the Tottenham Court Road pavement now.

The Improv Comedy Club, 161 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1 (0171-344 4444) opens on Friday with Rob Newman, Donna McPhail, Omid Djalili, and John Lenehan. The same bill will play 18 & 19 April

EXTRA

Booked in for a six-month West End run, Dame Edna: The Spectacle! recently grabbed headlines when it was announced that it was being backed by the housewife superstar's old friend, Lord Archer. Featuring a gorgeous cast (plus Madge), the show promises to be a true extravaganza, with music by James McConnel and lyrics by Kit Hesketh-Harvey (from Kit and the Widow) and someone called Barry Humphries. It opens on Tuesday at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London, SW1 (0171-930 8800).