The Shiny New Comedy Lab

The Shiny New Festival was set up for city centre performers to preview their work in the summer before heading up to the Edinburgh Festival. It has attracted such a burgeoning grass roots scene that organisers have been devising ways to keep it going year round, and next week launch their Comedy Lab at the Lantern Theatre.The free night takes place on Wednesday, December 4. "The concept differs greatly from your usual stand up club," they say. "Instead of seeing comics perform their bread and butter routines, we book acts willing to try out brand new material in front of an open-minded audience."Compered by Alastair Clark, the line up includes Mike Osbourne, Unplanned Melody, and Liam Bolton.To reserve a free seat, call 0151 703 0000.Not only that, but on December 5 the Shiny New production No Names returns as part of the Cornerstone Festival at Hope University's Capstone campus. The zombie apocalypse comedy was first performed this summer at the Lantern ahead of an Edinburgh run.