The Highgate resident will host the monthly showcase at the Circle & Star theatre above The Horseshoe.
He says punters will be able to catch household names testing their latest material in an intimate venue before they take it on tour.
The opening night of Alex Zane’s Comedy Showcase takes place on February 24 and features top comics Phil Nicol and Harriet Dyer.
“The Circle & Star has been beautifully refurbished and is such a wonderful space,” said Zane.
“I have been running comedy clubs around London for some years, and cut my teeth on the circuit in the back rooms of pubs.
“Those rooms are necessary to learn your trade as a comedy performer, but it’s rare to find such a welcoming performance environment for both the audience and the comedians.
“The Circle & Star is a proper 55 seat theatre where I can bring the latest stand-ups from the circuit. Sometimes they want a space where they can get a good read on their latest material before they go on tour.”
Zane, whose career ranges from hosting radio shows, music festival coverage, and movie premieres, has also written for comedy sketch shows.
He has a handy “black book” of some of the industry’s biggest names, and promises surprise special guests on the first Tuesday of every month.
“I want to create a space where the audience is always having a great time and can go on to see acts on Live at the Apollo and know they were there at the genesis of that joke.
“I won’t always be announcing the names because some want to go under the radar, so you never know who might be popping in.
“It’s a chance to see some of the UK’s top comedians in an intimate space, like Phil Nicol who is one of the most exciting stand ups in the business, and Harriet Dyer who is a brilliant original comedian.”
Other past acts who have appeared on Zane’s comedy line ups include Shazia Mirza and 2025 Edinburgh Comedy award winner Sam Nicoresti.
He might even persuade Stephen Merchant, who was a colleague at Xfm Radio before he found fame co-writing The Office with Ricky Gervais.
“I did the morning slot before they came on and I used to call it the Ricky and Stephen warm up show,” he laughs.
He’s excited to put on world class entertainers for fellow north Londoners without having to travel into the West End.
“Comedy has always been a balm and more than ever it feels necessary to be able to find humour in darkness, from the best and brightest comedians out there.”
Alex Zane’s Comedy Showcase debuts on February 24 at The Circle & Star Theatre at The Horseshoe on Heath Street, Hampstead. Tickets from www.comedyunion.co.uk
