Forge Founder and Comedian Stephen Grant Wins Prestigious Award

Stephen Grant is the founder of the Funny That company, which owns the Forge Comedy Club.

The club perform at the Ironworks in Cheapside, Brighton and have welcomed the likes of Romesh Ranganathan, John Bishop and Joel Dommett in the last year alone.

He celebrates after winning The 2022 Comic’s comic awards, a celebration of everyone contributing to the comedy scene, which has been hit hard during the pandemic. It is elected solely by other members of the industry.

Funny that he’s performing at The Hassocks (Image: Funny that)

Stephen won the award for the achievements of himself and his company.

Its Comic’s Comic Award recognized the summer comedy festival the company curates at Brighton Open Air Theater and the experienced team that has delivered its annual portfolio of events.

Stephen said: “I’m absolutely blown away to have won this award and I’m honored to be recognized in this way.

“It’s stunning considering how good everyone else is out there. Without exaggerating to say that the only reason I could do this is because of the people I work with and most importantly the incredible support from the industry itself which has made The Forge something really quite spectacular.”

Stephen ran the multi-award-winning Krater Comedy Club in Komedia for 23 years, promoting covid-safe comedy during the pandemic while other venues remained closed.

In late 2021 he founded the Forge Comedy Club at Ironworks Studios.

Funny That announces more gigs across Sussex for the 2023 season.

Regular performances are held at Haywards Heath, Lindfield, Hassocks, Alfriston and Peacehaven, along with a new venue at Kingston near Lewes.

Business Manager Dave Fensome of Funny That said: “Financially times have never been tougher, people need a laugh more than ever.

“Not everyone wants to add the expense of traveling to a metropolis to their night out, so using our expertise and bringing absolutely brilliant lineups to unexpected places is a real passion.”