Homepage News Reviews - Acts - Shows - Screen - Radio - Books - Clubs Interviews Awards 2006 Edinburgh 2005 - Reviews - Blog - Previews Features Archive Awards 2005 Edinburgh 2004: - Previews - Shows - Diary Guestbook Forum © Emporium Of Mirth 2004 Editor: Lauren Murphy Reporters: Fiona Wilkie Natalie Joanne	Emporium of Mirth Lee Hurst's Backyard Comedy Club Bethnal Green isn’t the first place you think of when planning an evening of laughter, but if Lee Hurst has anything to do with it all that is going to change. It’s easy to see the popularity of the club from the moment you step off the tube to see that TFL have even seen fit to signpost the place in the station, which makes it almost make sense when the security rifle through your bag in search of Saddam’s WMD. Once inside, you are ushered into one of the most inhospitable bars in London for your pre-show drinking. So far, so worrying. Eventually, it’s time to enter the main auditorium, where you are ushered into your sea in… a lovely, homely, almost cosy room. Finally, a bit of comfort! From there, it’s uphill all the way, it’s lovely smoke-free atmosphere and classic jukebox helping you settle in for your evening of guffaws and giggles. The line-ups are fantastic at Backyard and the comparing skills are almost always first class, either coming from Mr. Hurst himself, or the delightfully talented Sir Rob of Rouse. What is also patently obvious is that Lee cares about the punters, from the lung-preserving smoke-free policy in the main auditorium, to his impromptu appearances on his night off, Lee is certainly doing everything he can to be a friendly face, shining above “the big two”. Reviewed by Lauren RSS  Printable version	Visit our Siamese Twin Sister Site!