Comic Relief.

We've had so many lovely messages from everyone who's donated to protect Mostly Comedy through its enforced break.

At the point of writing, fifty-eight people have contributed to the fund, raising £1340, which is enough to pull us through the current crisis for a good few months at least. Without it, the risk of closure pressed worryingly, which put me in the frightening position of losing my income overnight. As it stands, I won't be paying myself for a while, but I can at least reimburse a few of the running costs I've been covering from my pocket.

But it isn't just about the money, though that's important. It's the evidence of how many people care about the club and would be upset if it went. We knew it was popular as it usually sells well, but as it's grown and its audience has changed through the years, you start to assume it's just a commodity that serves a purpose at time-of-use and that's it. And if it closed, people would make do with the stand-up tours at the Gordon Craig in Stevenage instead.

The response to our fundraising - and the popularity of our two Mostly Comedy Festivals in 2018 and 2019 - show the reality's the opposite. It's more than just a cheap night out. It has an identity and pull greater than anything we intended, that's illustrated by its rapid growth and the list of extraordinary performers who've played it. And it seems that's enough for people to want to do their bit to save it. That's the definition of community spirit, and I'm very grateful for it as if they hadn't contributed it would have folded in weeks.

"Sue Cook's pulled out"; Hitchin Town Hall (19.12.19)

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