Frog and Bucket unveils plaque for those who 'died' on stage

The Frog and Bucket comedy club in Manchester is celebrating its 21st birthday this month, and on Monday night (11th May) it unveiled a blue plaque to commemorate the comedians that have 'died' on its stage.

The club describes the plaque as "a fitting memorial in honour of those that have fallen at the Frog, brought down by a cutting heckle or a deafening silence."

Owner Dave Perkin has had some favourite 'deaths' over the years. He describes one newbie comedian appearing in an open spot slot at the club who "took to the stage, only said 'hi' before dropping the mic, running off stage in tears and straight through the front doors... never to be seen again."

Everyone's got to start somewhere and even the most established acts have a bad gig from time to time. Perkin recalls: "I once had to red light a regular act because he was being so rude to a family in the audience. I got on stage to apologise but the grandmother still attacked me at the bar."

Live At The Apollo star Mick Ferry, who has appeared at the Manchester club many times, hasn't had it too bad himself. ''I've been stared at but never booed off" he says. But he has witnessed some strange sights on the club's stage. "One guy got heckled and so stage dived onto a table of glasses. He got kicked out but returned another week, took his shoe off, passed it around and got everyone to spit in it. Then he put it back on."

Whilst the blue plaque unveiled this week focuses on some of the less glorious moments on the club's stage, it is worth pointing out that since it opened its doors in 1994 the Frog has playing host to a whole raft of comedic talent. Over the 21 years plenty of famous folk have played the Frog, with Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas, Lee Mack, Dave Gorman, Chris Addison, Ross Noble, Lucy Porter, Jack Whitehall and Jason Manford amongst those who have been regulars at one time or another.

The Frog and Bucket actually started its life around the corner at the Britainnia pub on Newton Street with a capacity of just 60. It started off with just weekend shows, but a few months after opening it took on an amateur night too. Three years later the club moved to its current premises at the end of Oldham Street, on the edge of Manchester's hip Northern Quarter - a larger venue with a capacity of 200.

It was the amateur night that saw John Bishop try out comedy for the first time. As he noted earlier this month: "Without the Frog and Bucket, I would not be a professional comedian today. It was a great place for me when I started out and remains just as good."

The club is mentioned in the autobiographies of Johnny Vegas, Peter Kay and John Bishop. In his book Saturday Night Peter, Peter Kay mischievously noted the following about the Frog: "The place used to be roasting all the time. I'm sure Dave Perkin used to turn the heating up full to sell more drink."

These days The Frog and Bucket is open four days every week. The club explains: "Friday and Saturday nights are the fun packed end of the week shows, then there's Thursdays for a more sedate, connoisseur led show. On a Monday it's still the newcomers turn as they attempt to Beat the Frog by staying on stage for 5 minutes without getting 'croaked off.' Plus there are many special nights every month including Laughing Cows all female comedy night, solo touring shows, themed and charity nights."

The club concludes: "This is where it happens. Here's to the next 21!"

To find out more about the club and see who is on the stage this week visit www.frogandbucket.com