On Wednesday night we stepped out in search of love and laughter at Greenwich comedy club, Up The Creek, for their first comedy speed dating night. Based on the usual speed dating format, the organisers started the night because of their frustration with boring events where laughter seemed frowned upon.
We were perhaps a bit keen with our 7.30 arrival since not many hopeful singles had made their way there. It didn't stop one couple hitting it off before even taking their seats - money well spent there! Perusing the 'scorecard' we made mental notes to avoid the suggested questions about relationships and marriage and instead planned a line of verbal attack based on cheese, bunions and 'Deal or No Deal'.
The club's a great setting for the night with its dark lighting, intimate tables and bar on hand to keep conversations well oiled and relaxed but there's little chance to keep track of names and comments in your scorecard, without wasting the first half of your next 'date'. Comedian Ninia Benjamin provided a welcome respite from the 3 minute introductions. Covering the topics of love and sex and generally taking the piss out of the crowd with panache, she offered plenty of talking points for the second round of dates.
The bar stayed open late to encourage drinks with potential suitors before official details of mutually interested parties gleaned from the scorecards are emailed out within a couple of days.
The comedy injection definitely lightens the atmosphere of the evening and encourages a more lighthearted approach to questioning than the usual, 'where are you from?', 'what do you do?' (although there was still plenty of that, unfortunately). The mix of guys and girls was well managed with no one sat alone waiting for their next date and the variety of ages and professions provided great conversational opportunities. We hope 'Captain America' won't mind us mentioning we particularly enjoyed meeting him. Fighting crime must make it hard to get dates.
Upcoming nights are taking place on 3rd and 17th March and are proving to be popular so if you want to get in on the action we suggest you book now. Comedy speed dating takes place at Up The Creek, Greenwich. Entrance £5. For more information visit the Comedy Speed Dating website.
