Brown Sauce and Tara Theatre revive free comedy programme for emerging South Asian talent

London comedy club Brown Sauce and Tara Theatre have reunited for the third edition of The Comedy Lab, a free initiative designed to support the next generation of South Asian stand-up comedians. Taking place on 17^th October, the one-day programme will pair aspiring comics with established performers and industry mentors before culminating in a live showcase at Tara Theatre.

Open to comedians of South Asian heritage with up to one year’s experience on the comedy circuit, The Comedy Lab offers participants the chance to develop material, refine their stagecraft and perform a five-minute set alongside a yet-to-be-announced headline act. Previous editions have featured acclaimed comedians Ahir Shah and Nish Kumar as both mentors and showcase headliners.

Founded in 2021 by comedian Sharlin Jahan, Brown Sauce has established itself as one of London’s leading platforms for South Asian comedy, championing both established acts and emerging voices. The monthly comedy night has welcomed performers including Sindhu Vee, Mawaan Rizwan, Shazia Mirza, Ria Lina, Bilal Zafar and Fatiha El-Ghorri, while also raising thousands of pounds for charitable causes and collaborating with organisations including Dishoom and Theatre Royal Stratford East.

The programme also reflects Tara Theatre’s long-standing commitment to developing South Asian talent ahead of the venue’s 50^th anniversary in 2027. Applications for this year’s Comedy Lab are open until 31^st August, with successful applicants notified in September ahead of the workshop and evening showcase on 17^th October.

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Photos: Courtesy of The Comedy Lab

For further information, visit the theatre’s website here.