Save Live Comedy at the Grand review: Magical and emotional night as live comedy returns

The comedy circuit is nothing if not adaptable. Since Covid-19 there have been drive-in gigs, garden gigs, virtual gigs. But no indoor shows in London.

Last night, following the relaxing of lockdown restrictions, this major online fundraiser for cash-starved clubs was quickly reorganised and also sold tickets to lucky fans. It was not quite the same though. We were guided to socially distanced seats by ushers, the 1,250 capacity was limited to about a hundred and, perhaps most challenging of all given the calibre of the acts, we were asked not to laugh too loudly to avoid aerosol transmission of the virus.

All things considered, however, the event was magical. Comedian after comedian came on and recaptured something that they had desperately missed since mid-March.

Joint comperes Jayde Adams and Al Murray did a sterling job of keeping energy levels up for nearly four hours. Just as things looked in danger of dipping, force-of-nature Adams belted out Shirley Bassey’s Big Spender. Murray, whose Pub Landlord character is more used to lock-ins than lockdowns, dusted off his formidable put-down skills to mock the front row.

It felt almost like old times. It was a night filled with hilarious highlights and touching moments. Opening act Kwame Asante receiving such fulsome applause when he mentioned he was an A&E doctor that next guest Carl Donnelly tried to pass himself off as an NHS employee too

Elsewhere, clean-cut Ed Gamble revealed he was a heavy metal fan despite his “Coldplay Face” and Dane Baptiste suggested he will never be invited to appear on Bake Off because he struggles to say the word “scrumptious”. Don Biswas explained he has mild Asperger’s Syndrome: “Not Rain Man, more Drizzle Boy.” Others roadtested topical material. Nathan Caton noted how Tesco queues now resembled nightclub lines. Kerry Godliman admitted she quite enjoyed parts of lockdown, particularly the not-having-to-get-dressed bit.

But perhaps the event was encapsulated not by the laughter that filled the venue again but by tears. Shappi Khorsandi was so emotional she was initially unable to talk. She joked that for the past six months she had performed only for her children and dog. She spoke for everyone present when she said it felt good to be back.

Also on Sunday (020 7223 6523, claphamgrand.com)