A LEADING Edinburgh comedy club has launched a virtual comedy night to help keep the venue going during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Stand Comedy Club, on York Place, will see Frankie Boyle headline its virtual show – where people can watch using a live YouTube stream for free from 8.30pm on Saturday.

Host Mark Nelson will also be joined by Daniel Sloss, Fred MacAulay, JoJo Sutherland, Ryan Cullen, Jay Lafferty, John Moloney, Jim Smith, Marc Jenning, Stephen Buchanan, Julia Sutherland and Rosco McLelland.

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Frankie Boyle

Saturday Night Live at The Stand was launched as a way to keep performers and technicians working through the shutdown.

Viewers are encouraged but not forced to donate for the show, with donations going towards the running costs of the venue, but can choose to enjoy the entertainment for free from their computer, Smart TV or smartphone.

The Stand raised £20,000 in donations after the first week’s live show.

Last Saturday 8000 people watched live from all over world, and the show has so far had roughly 34,000 total views.

Anthony Dorman of the Stand Comedy Club said: “We haven’t asked anyone to work for nothing. It’s not a benefit. We’re not a charity. What we’re trying to do is to find a way to keep comedians and technicians working through the shutdown.

“We also want to help pay The Stand’s running costs as we are determined to keep all our staff on full pay. So, any money we get through donations will be split between The Stand, Dabster who are making the show, and the artists who perform.

“We are doing what we can to stay in business so we can continue to fully pay our Living Wage staff and support the self employed comedians taking part in these shows of which there are more this week.

“We also want to have a venue to support young and experienced acts in the future.”

The Stand’s Managing Director Mike Jones said: “When we closed our doors to the public on March 16th we were seriously concerned that we might never be able to open them again. We make most of our money from bar sales so no customers means no income.

“But we’ve never been ones to give up without a fight – not on our staff, who are all paid at least the Real Living Wage, not on our acts and not on our customers. With help from our amazing comedians and our friends at Dabster Productions we’re doing what we can to turn a massive negative in to something positive.