21 Years of Off The Rails Comedy Club!

Photo: Marta Julve

Chadderton's own Alex Boardman will be comparing the Off The Rail's 21st birthday bash on Sun 29th May

If you were one of the 98 people who were crammed into Greenfield's first ever Off The Rails Comedy Club then you may well remember it being a sweaty, claustrophobic affair as the room was only designed for 70!  You may not remember the show itself (even the promoter admits it was pretty average) but you would probably be astounded to realise it's 21 years ago this week.  Yes, that's right. What is now something of a  local institution has reached it's majority.

"I was clueless. I made all the classic mistakes I see now at new nights; too many comedians on the bill and definitely too many guests in the room. Fortunately, I learned from the mistakes and we are much slicker, safer and funnier operation these days"  admits promoter Rob Riley

 Off The Rails has played host to everyone who is anyone in comedy. Alan Carr, Jack Whitehall, Mark Thomas, Jim Jefferies and Sarah Millican have all graced Greenfield's tiniest stage with 2021 seeing surprise appearances from Russell Kane and Jason Manford. As well as big names and circuit stalwarts there is always a newer act on every bill. In fact, both Lost Voice Guy and Liverpool's Paul Smith got their first ever paid spots gigs here, in Saddleworth. 

And for the future? 

"Well, a cost of living crisis on the back of lockdown hasn't helped any of us in live events but, when money's tight, people want more bang for their buck and that's exactly where Off The Rails comes in. The last couple of months haven't been easy but we have good advance sales for summer and July's show is already sold out" says Riley.

If you want to find out what the fuss is about then Off The Rail's 21st birthday bash takes place on Sunday 29 May with Alistair Barrie and Ben Norris making the trip up from somewhere called London and Chadderton's Alex Boardman will be compering. There's even whispers of a special guest, too...

Off The Rails Comedy Club takes place in the function suite of The Royal George, Greenfield and full details are at www.saddleworthcomedy.co.uk

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