12 Mar 2010
Simon Donald to headline Aspers New Comedy Club
Aspers at The Gate

 

A new North East comedy night will be kicking off in style this Easter with legendary Viz founder, Simon Donald, as the main act. Aspers Laughter Lines comedy club kicks off on April 4th in Aspers at The Gate and the organisers have promised a new and refreshing approach to stand-up.

 

The idea for Aspers Laughter Lines was born when a customer suggested that Lady O's bar, which is located adjacent to the casino's Stowell Street entrance, would make a perfect comedy venue. After research showed that there was strong demand for a chilled out comedy night in Newcastle, Simon Donald agreed to appear at the premiere night.

 

"We have a long history of live entertainment in Lady O's, but comedy is a new direction for us and we're very excited about the Comedy Club" said Richard Smith, General Manager of Aspers at The Gate. "A combination of quality comedy with good food and a few drinks is always a winner and we're looking to make this a regular fixture on the first Sunday of each month."

 

Simon Donald is one of the North East's most recognisable figures and, although still best known as the co-founder of the infamous Viz magazine, he's recently carved out a new career as a stand-up comedian. He's been described by our own Ross Noble as 'Brilliant. I haven't laughed so much in ages. Donald is clearly Newcastle's second funniest man'. Now he's coming to Aspers with the character of Barry Twyford, a Geordie census-taker with a few awkward questions for the audience.

 

 

/...more

 

 

 

 

 

The evening will be compeered by John Scott, a regular fixture on the North East comedy circuit and a veteran of the Edinburgh Festival, with local favourite Stefan Peddie as the support act.

 

The evening kicks off at 8pm, with the show commencing at 8.30pm. Tickets for the evening cost just £10 including food, and can be purchased from Aspers by calling (0191) 255 0400, or from Aspers main reception at The Gate entrance.  All proceeds going to the Aspinall Foundation for endangered animals.

 

ENDS

 

Issued on behalf of Aspers at The Gate

by Point Pleasant Communications

 

For further information please contact Rob Lawson

on (0191) 519 7219 (Mobile: 07940 501 993) or email rob@point-pleasant.co.uk

 

 

Notes to Editors:

 

  • Aspers is a 45,000ft2 leisure facility in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.
  • The venue includes bars, restaurant, beauty spa, live entertainment and state-of-the-art gaming facilities.
  • Aspers has attracted almost 138,000 members in just under four years from a catchment area covering Northumberland and County Durham, reaching across to Cumbria and down to York.
  • In late 2007 Aspers became the first casino operator in the country to launch a reward club - Aspire - that allows customers to collect and redeem points throughout its operations (including gaming). Customers are now able to gain points for every purchase made on the premises and can also earn bonus points on selected promotions.
  • In April 2008, Aspers became the first British casino to go 'membership free' which means that virtually all visitors can freely walk through the reception area without completing membership forms. Photo ID is required if you look under 21 and to join our Aspire Reward Club.
  • Visitors to Aspers must be 18 or over
  • At every Aspers location, the company has set up the Community Action for Responsible Gaming (CARG) programme. This initiative is unique to Aspers and is based on similar successful schemes in Australia and New Zealand. CARG is a voluntary, not-for-profit group that seeks to constructively address problem gambling issues in society through a working partnership between local community-based interest groups.

 

Press Releases

Notes to editors:

 

Aspers Group Limited is a private UK company. It is a joint venture between two of the world’s most distinguished entertainment and leisure operators – the Aspinall Family and Crown Australia.

 

• The Aspinall Family – has positioned itself as a leader in premium gaming.  By steadily adding to its accomplishments – such as the renowned Aspinalls Club in Mayfair, London – Aspinalls has become a significant player on the international scene, having operated casinos in the UK, France, Australia and New Zealand.

 

• Crown Limited – is one of Australia’s largest diversified media and entertainment groups. Its market capitalisation of more than AUD$11 billion places it among the top 25 companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Crown Limited owns and operates Crown Casino in Melbourne, Burswood Casino in Perth, Crown Towers in Macao, Gateway Casinos in Canada and has announced plans for further developments and acquisitions within the US and elsewhere. Crown Limited is ultimately controlled by the Packer family and James Packer is the Executive Chairman.

 

Aspinalls Club (The Club) was opened by John Aspinall in 1962 and was one of the very first licensed casinos in the UK. The Club has been situated in its present location in Curzon Street, Mayfair, since 1992.

 

It is internationally renowned for its high quality gaming and dining facilities and caters for a very wealthy and select international clientele.