LIVE NEXT TO THE APOLLO CELEBRATES SECOND ANNIVERSARY AT RIVERSIDE STUDIOS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION PLANS

 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.

Live Next to the Apollo anniversary

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.

LISTINGS

LIVE NEXT TO THE APOLLO — SEPTEMBER LINE-UPSRiverside Studios, HammersmithTickets from £6.5 | Ages 16+

• Tuesday 2 September, 7.30pm

  
  

  Paul Tonkinson, Matt Rouse, Carwyn Blayney, Emmanuel O, Mags McHugh

• Friday 12 September, 7.30pm

  
  

  Laura Smyth, Josh James, Joe Sutherland, One Act TBC

• Tuesday 16 September, 7.30pm

  
  

  Stephan Bailey, Davina Bentley, Serena Smart, Sam Williams, Luke Nixon

• Friday 19 September, 7.30pm

  
  

  Jon Long, Michelle Shaughnessy, Kuan-Wen Huang, Keefy Jewell

• Friday 26 September, 7.30pm — 2nd Anniversary Special

  
  

  Thor Stenhaug, Jeff Innocent, Darren Harriott, One Act TBC

Live Next To The Apollo is a premier stand-up comedy show at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London. Founded by Jonathan Stadlen, the show features top UK comedians in an intimate 100-seat venue. Known for its high-quality lineups, affordable ticket prices, and commitment to supporting comedians via transparent profit share, Live Next To The Apollo has become a staple of the London comedy scene. Stand-up comedy has always played a big part in the offering at the legendary Riverside Studios – from Lenny Henry in the 1980s, Lee Mack and the Mighty Boosh in the 1990s, Bill Bailey and Richard Herring in the 2000s to Julian Clary and Ed Byrne in the 2010s. Live Next To The Apollo has built on this legacy in the 2020s by bringing the likes of Sara Pascoe, Jen Brister, Marcus Brigstocke, Desiree Burch and Nabil Abdulrashid to the Riverside.

For over 45 years, Riverside Studios has been the centre of an extraordinary mix of theatre, film, comedy, art, dance, music and television. A cultural hub on the banks of the Thames, it has attracted some of the world’s best creative talent including Samuel Beckett, David Bowie, Benjamin Zephaniah, Amy Winehouse, Yoko Ono, Lenny Henry and Michael Clark.

In its newly redeveloped building, Riverside continues its mission to be a home for creativity and community — driven by a belief in the power of the arts to bring people together, unlock potential and spark positive change.