Britain is witnessing an explosion of baby-friendly comedy clubs, offering daytime shows that cater to new mothers with infants, without fear of judgment or eviction. These clubs operate on a simple premise: bring your child, feed them, and enjoy some well-timed chaos.
Behind the scenes, performers are often uncertain about how their material will be received by this new audience. "New mothers can be harder to gauge than usual audiences because they're bringing complex baggage with them," said Frankie B, founder of Milk Club Comedy in Bingley.
Angie Belcher, a comedian and founder of Aftermirth gigs in Bristol, advises performers that mums are often smiling on the inside, even if they appear exhausted or distracted. However, this unpredictability can also bring its own set of challenges. "I have to explain to performers that new mothers aren't raucous because they've just had nine months of pain and no sleep," she said.
The key to success lies in adapting to the unique dynamics of these shows. Hatty Ashdown, host of Screaming With Laughter, believes comedians need to be "totally funny bones and high energy" to engage their audience. She's witnessed headline acts come undone by the sheer chaos of the gig, but also seen performers steal the show with well-timed one-liners.
Harriet Beveridge, who performs at mum-and-baby gigs, appreciates the stripped-back nature of these shows. "You have to give up the arrogance and egocentricity of being a comedian," she said. For her, the experience strips comedy back to its essence, forcing performers to adapt to the unpredictable nature of their audience.
Angela Garwood, co-host of London and Hampshire's Every Other Mother, welcomes the chaos that comes with these gigs. "The more children who pelt me with Lego or steal my mic, the better," she said. For Julie Jepson, the highlight of her schedule is when a toddler wanders into her spotlight and steals the show – literally.
For Sally McIlhone, co-founder of Every Other Mother, the success lies in comedians who have navigated the challenges of motherhood themselves. "The ones who come out on top are those who've been through the 'baby trench'," she said. These performers offer hope to new mothers and a welcome respite from the stress of parenting.
As for Nick Page, founder of Aftermirth gigs? He sees these shows as not so different from their non-baby-friendly counterparts. "These are just regular gigs with people who might cry, scream, or lose control," he said. The difference is that now they're allowed to be themselves – and poop themselves – in the presence of others.
In short, baby-friendly comedy clubs are a game-changer for new mothers and their babies. They offer a space where performers can adapt, connect with their audience on a deeper level, and find joy in the chaos that comes with it.
Behind the scenes, performers are often uncertain about how their material will be received by this new audience. "New mothers can be harder to gauge than usual audiences because they're bringing complex baggage with them," said Frankie B, founder of Milk Club Comedy in Bingley.
Angie Belcher, a comedian and founder of Aftermirth gigs in Bristol, advises performers that mums are often smiling on the inside, even if they appear exhausted or distracted. However, this unpredictability can also bring its own set of challenges. "I have to explain to performers that new mothers aren't raucous because they've just had nine months of pain and no sleep," she said.
The key to success lies in adapting to the unique dynamics of these shows. Hatty Ashdown, host of Screaming With Laughter, believes comedians need to be "totally funny bones and high energy" to engage their audience. She's witnessed headline acts come undone by the sheer chaos of the gig, but also seen performers steal the show with well-timed one-liners.
Harriet Beveridge, who performs at mum-and-baby gigs, appreciates the stripped-back nature of these shows. "You have to give up the arrogance and egocentricity of being a comedian," she said. For her, the experience strips comedy back to its essence, forcing performers to adapt to the unpredictable nature of their audience.
Angela Garwood, co-host of London and Hampshire's Every Other Mother, welcomes the chaos that comes with these gigs. "The more children who pelt me with Lego or steal my mic, the better," she said. For Julie Jepson, the highlight of her schedule is when a toddler wanders into her spotlight and steals the show – literally.
For Sally McIlhone, co-founder of Every Other Mother, the success lies in comedians who have navigated the challenges of motherhood themselves. "The ones who come out on top are those who've been through the 'baby trench'," she said. These performers offer hope to new mothers and a welcome respite from the stress of parenting.
As for Nick Page, founder of Aftermirth gigs? He sees these shows as not so different from their non-baby-friendly counterparts. "These are just regular gigs with people who might cry, scream, or lose control," he said. The difference is that now they're allowed to be themselves – and poop themselves – in the presence of others.
In short, baby-friendly comedy clubs are a game-changer for new mothers and their babies. They offer a space where performers can adapt, connect with their audience on a deeper level, and find joy in the chaos that comes with it.
, they're like, embracing the chaos & imperfection of new mom life 
, who wouldn't want to laugh while feeding their mini-human 
? and i love how they're giving performers a chance to be themselves, flaws & all 
, it's so refreshing to see comedy become more relatable & accessible 
. i mean, it's like they're trying to create this whole new genre of comedy... but honestly, comedians are already weirdos 
. It makes the whole experience so much more relatable and hilarious 
I'm definitely going to check out one of these gigs with my partner (who's actually a great dad 
). It'll be so cool to see how comedy adapts to the unpredictability of having an infant around. My partner always jokes that our kid is our biggest audience member, and this just proves him right 
. I mean, who needs a traditional audience when you've got an audience that's basically a walking emotional rollercoaster? It's genius! 
but what i love is how these shows are stripping comedy back to its essence - no ego, no pretenses, just pure chaos and hilarity 
, and I started thinking about how babies are like tiny little comedians themselves - always cracking each other up with their adorable sounds and antics 
