News: Pubs and theatre. An age-old pairing.

Pubs and theatre. An age-old pairing, the two go together like a match made in heaven, everyone knows that – and nobody more than Chris Williams, artist, producer and founder of Drunken Chorus. After the success of Drunken Nights in 2013, a series of live events created specifically for pubs, a brand-new run of Drunken Nights returned to us in November, showcasing 14 artists’ work at The Oval Tavern in Croydon and The Bell near Liverpool Street.

As well as being performed in pubs, the shows are also pub-inspired, and there have been themes encompassing our old favourite pub pastimes, like karaoke, pub quizzes and drinking games, not to mention the rambling epiphanic conversations we all seem to have on a Friday night. Of the 14 performers, three have been selected to receive mentoring and the chance to develop their acts, and now the polished shows will be shown over two dates in February at The Oval and The Bell.

This spectacular triple-bill sees the return of Nathan Birkinshaw, Lydia Cottrell and four-piece all-female sketch group, The Blue Tits. Nathan will be presenting a rambling story of love, liquor, swings and roundabouts, while Lydia uses the medium of dance to perform her version of Ravel’s Bolero – inspired by the cast of Geordie Shore. We will see the Blue Tits channel stand-up comedy, where they will walk the edge of ironic humour and inappropriate joke-telling.

Performed in public bar areas, any unsuspecting pint-supper can stumble upon the shows, and everyone is welcome to, as Drunken Nights remains completely free, with no ticket or entry fee required. This year, the pubs will even be serving a Drunken Nights ale which has been brewed in collaboration with Late Knights Brewery in South London.

This exciting project will no doubt resonate with anyone that has ever stepped into a pub, so this February, grab your pint of Drunken Nights and witness something completely original and unique. Stagger into Drunken Nights on Saturday 15th February at The Oval Tavern, Croydon, and Saturday 22nd February at The Bell (near Liverpool Street), both shows starting at 7:30pm.