Thanks to an injection of cash from the Mayor's High Street Fund, Romford's Contemporary Arts Programme has been able to book a series of secret comedy gigs. Running monthly, Banter will pop up in empty spaces throughout this northeastern corner of the capital with both big name and burgeoning acts on offer. The location of the launch night has been revealed as Quadrant Arcade – a short stroll from Romford station – and the line-up features 'Snog, Marry, Avoid?' presenter Ellie Taylor and her quirky brand of comedy, as well as footballer turned comedian Maff Brown and Covent Garden street performer Windsor on compering duties.
Throughout the rest of the series, Banter is welcoming Scottee's brilliant comedy poetry night Fraff, super-smart and super funny stand-up Sara Pascoe (Sep), hugely hilarious topical comic Funmbi Omotayo (Nov), super-slick impro troupe The Noise Next Door (Mar) and heaps more. To find out who's on when, see the dates and times tab.