Best of Buzz Comedy celebrates 20 years at Waterside
A legacy of laughter: The Buzz Comedy phenomenon marks two decades in Sale.
Waterside, Sale © Life in Sale
This year, Waterside proudly celebrates 20 years of Best of Buzz Comedy, a night that has become a cornerstone of live comedy in Sale. It was brought to the venue by legendary comedy promoter John Marshall and the event continues to bring top stand-up talent to the heart of Trafford, cementing its place as a key player in the UK comedy circuit. He is credited with kick starting the careers of Alan Carr and John Bishop, both who appeared at Waterside shows.
John Marshall’s comedy journey began in 1989 when he opened Manchester’s iconic Buzz Comedy Club, a venue that became a launchpad for some of the biggest names in comedy. Compered by Marshall’s alter ego, Agraman the Human Anagram, Buzz quickly gained a reputation for its electric atmosphere and high-calibre line-ups. Throughout the 1990s, it helped shape Manchester’s thriving comedy scene, winning multiple awards from both audiences and comedians alike.
With an impressive track record, Buzz Club played a pivotal role in the early careers of Caroline Aherne, Steve Coogan, John Thomson, Bill Bailey, Jo Brand, Lee Evans and Harry Hill. Notably, it also hosted Peter Kay’s first-ever paid gig, a moment documented in Kay’s best-selling autobiography The Sound of Laughter.
Following the closure of Buzz, Marshall continued his legacy by launching Best of Buzz Comedy at Waterside in 2005, bringing the same winning formula of top-notch talent and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Over the past two decades, the event has become a firm favourite among comedy lovers in Sale and beyond, regularly featuring some of the UK’s finest stand-ups, as well as nurturing new and emerging acts.
Marshall’s contributions to live comedy have not gone unrecognised. Over the years, he has received numerous accolades, including the Les Dawson Award for Excellence in Comedy Promotion (2004), the Comedy Legend Award at the North West Comedy Awards (2020), and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Yorkshire Comedy Awards (2023). His influence is documented in the autobiographies of stars such as Peter Kay, Jason Manford, John Bishop, Dave Spikey and Alan Carr.
Even after relocating to East Yorkshire in 2003, Marshall has continued to champion live comedy, curating and promoting shows across the region, from Hull to Hornsea. Yet, despite his extensive portfolio of gigs across the UK, Waterside remains a special place, as he still returns as an occasional compere at Best of Buzz Comedy.
This milestone year promises an unmissable series of shows, featuring a stellar line-up of comedians paying tribute to a legacy that has brought two decades of laughter to Sale. Fans, old and new, are invited to join the celebration and experience the magic of Best of Buzz Comedy at Waterside.
Upcoming Best of Buzz Comedy Shows
Saturday 05 April, 8pm
Age 18+
In the Chambers
Who's performing?
Duncan Oakley delivers a mix of musical mayhem, interspersed with daft parodies and silly dad jokes.
Anthony J. Brown is somewhat scary, like a dapper and dandy funeral director, his chilling humour is blacker than a raven.
Mel Judson is a deadpan stand-up from Bradford, and despite a cynical outlook, she finds joy in the unconventional and unexpected.
Saturday 10 May, 8pm
Age 18+
In the Chambers
Who's performing?
Ashley Frieze composes outstandingly geeky/intelligent topical songs loaded with sarcasm: he is bold and playfully naughty.
Clayton Jones ‘has funny bones’ according to Romesh Ranganathan and has some very amusing observations about his schooldays.
Chris Keogh has surreal flights of fancy regarding the sporting prowess of amphibians.
