Hyped as one of the stand-out shows on the Edinburgh Fringe, Stamptown has enjoyed a lot of good press. Lauren Kate Hughes went along to Soho Theatre for the variety show’s debut run in London to get in on the action.
Stamptown Comedy positions itself as offering something different from the get-go. Firstly, it has a 10.30pm kick-off at London‘s Soho Theatre; a time late enough to widen the eyes of this morning person. With the later start comes the opportunity for dim sum in nearby Chinatown and pre-show cocktails that act as a little lubrication before a somewhat raunchy assortment of acts (read: full-frontal nudity).
Secondly, it promises a variety show in its truest form. The word eclectic is often banded about, but this time it’s completely appropriate. Perhaps the most recurring theme, at least in my selection of acts (they change from show to show) was a lot of nudity. As stand-up Kemah Bob relays to the audience at the beginning of her set – “Oh, the pressure of being the only fully clothed act of the night”. Each act offers something unique, including Martin Urbano, a critic live-reviewing the show amidst Stamptown’s chaotic line-up.
The show has been much hyped, with sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, numerous accolades on the awards circuit and a stellar review from the New York Times already under its (sequined) belt. Eager to see what happens during a show that promises to be more akin to a wild night out rather than a middle-of-the-road stand-up show, we headed out on a cold January night and settled into the welcoming bosom of Stamptown’s Soho debut.
Stamptown: Soho’s Most Raucous Late-Night Variety Show
Stamptown brings something genuinely rare to London’s entertainment scene. The show lands at Soho Theatre at 10.30pm, drawing in night owls and thrill-seekers ready for a performance that blurs the lines between comedy, cabaret, and chaos. Headlined by compere Zach Zucker, Stamptown keeps its format wonderfully unpredictable, with acts rotating between shows so no two nights are ever the same. The intimate venue adds to the charged atmosphere, pulling the crowd into the action rather than leaving them as passive observers. For anyone craving something beyond the ordinary, Stamptown delivers.
Why Stamptown Stands Out in London’s Comedy Circuit?
Part of what makes Stamptown so compelling is the sheer range packed into one evening. From burlesque to drag, clowns to singers, the variety is genuine rather than gimmicky. The show earned its reputation with sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, and its Soho debut only confirmed the hype was warranted. Zach Zucker’s hosting style keeps the energy live-wire throughout, threading each wild act into something that feels, against all odds, cohesive. Whether you are a comedy devotee or simply looking for a memorable night in London, Stamptown earns its place at the top of the list.
In essence, Stamptown is a variety show with different acts weaved loosely together by compere Jack Tucker (IRL name, Zach Zucker) a native New Yorker with a style that’s as hectic as its acts and the creator of Stamptown. The crowd was intimate but interactive, with the mood shifting from hushed giggles to full-bellied laughs as each performer took the stage.
Zach, who’s also an award-winning actor and producer, believes comedy always should be intimate, previously telling Vulture: ‘There is nothing inherently cool, interesting, or morally good about selling out a 300-seater. That’s 300 people who you don’t know and don’t care about. A real comic doesn’t need hundreds of people laughing at their jokes.’
If I had to describe the night in one word, it would be raucous. If I’m allowed two, it’s unique. The format is chaotic, the vibe is wild; it offers a smörgåsbord of performance styles befitting of Soho itself.
There’s burlesque, interpretive dance, stand-up, satire, drag, clowns, characters and singers. Each act demands attention; wallflowers and filler acts don’t exist here. Zach’s narration and the acts he introduces are both completely unhinged, but that’s the fun of Stamptown; you can lose your mind a little.
My favourite acts of the night? It’s hard to choose. But I’d say a stand-up act who ranted on the absurdity of sea salt had me chuckling along gleefully (loyal Maldon shopper right here). As well as a burlesque dancer in a sparkling bikini who did hypnotic things with her bottom. A special mention also goes to roller-skating bubbler Dylan Woodley, who managed to loosen up the crowd with some upbeat dance tracks and an unhealthy amount of Jason Derulo.
I won’t spoil the ending, but hold onto your hats. Because our saucy fire-breathing cowboy certainly doesn’t.
To find out more, visit stamptowncomedy.com
