Museum of Comedy

About the museum

The Museum of Comedy was founded by Martin Witts, director of the Leicester Square Theatre, and opened on 1 April 2014. It occupies the undercroft of St George's Church in Bloomsbury, a Grade I listed building, where the historic vaulted space is combined with a performance room and a bar.

The museum grew out of a large private collection of comedy memorabilia that Witts gathered over many years and that is described as one of the most extensive of its kind in the country. Items on show include portraits of well-known comedy stars from Steve Ullathorne's The Comic Collection, a six-necked guitar belonging to Bill Bailey, the back door of the Reliant Regal van from Only Fools and Horses, original Spitting Image puppets and the shoes of the music-hall comedian Little Tich.

The building is also a working comedy venue. Regular nights such as the Monday Club give new comedians a place to try out material, and competitions such as New Comedian of the Year and Sketch Off have helped to launch performers' careers. Established comedians use the room to preview work-in-progress shows. People who wish to donate or lend items for display are asked to contact the museum.

Highlights

• The Comic Collection: portraits of well-known British comedy stars by Steve Ullathorne
• Bill Bailey's six-necked guitar
• Back door of the Trotters' Reliant Regal from Only Fools and Horses
• Original Spitting Image puppets
• Little Tich's shoes
• Live comedy shows in the vaulted undercroft of a Grade I listed church

Permanent exhibition

• Comedy memorabilia collection – Memorabilia from British comedy, including portraits of comedy stars, puppets, props and personal items of well-known performers, displayed around the bar and performance room.

Founded

2014

Admission & discounts

No separate price for entering the museum is published. Show tickets are priced per performance. Concessions are offered at the discretion of each producer for under-16s, full-time students with ID, seniors and visitors with disabilities. Online and phone bookings carry a booking fee of 15% per ticket (minimum £2.25, maximum £4); booking in person at the venue has no fee, and collecting tickets at the box office costs £1.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The undercroft is on one level, but it is reached from street level by 16 steps or by a lift whose door is opened manually from inside, so visitors who use the lift or a wheelchair should contact the venue beforehand; independent access is not possible. Two seats can be removed from sale for wheelchair users, and seating is unallocated but can be reserved for visitors with additional needs. One accessible toilet with baby change is available. Assistance dogs are very welcome; other dogs are welcome in the bar area and admission to shows is decided case by case. The venue accepts the Nimbus Access Card.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Some shows are listed in a family programme, but individual shows may have age restrictions. A baby-change unit is in the accessible toilet, and breastfeeding is welcome in the bar area.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Bloomsbury Way, close to the British Museum. what3words: grabs.hosts.future.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check: not available
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available. The foyer bar opens about an hour before each performance and closes by 22:00, with occasional late openings. There is no cloakroom, and visitors are asked not to bring large bags. The venue has air conditioning.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The Comedy Crypt is a 72-seat performance space available for daytime and evening hire for rehearsals, shows, workshops and private events. The bar area can also be hired for private events such as parties and quizzes.

Plan your visit