If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, Stockton is a real haven for arts venues. There are so many to choose from that cover live music, theatre, comedy and more, but the one that is likely most familiar to folks near and far is the ARC. This place has been a real pillar of the town for years and years – I actually remember going there on school trips to see plays!
And I love a visit to the ARC as much as I did back then, but it’s not just plays with school now. It’s live performances and festivals, like Stockton Calling, film screenings, workshops and classes. There’s always something going on there for people of all ages and abilities. It’s the perfect place for arts in all forms.
One of the most popular events that they host is the fantastic Catch 22 and that’s what I’m keen to talk to you about today!
What is Catch 22 Comedy Club?
Catch 22 is a monthly comedy club that brings the best up and coming acts from across the UK to ARC Stockton. Taking place on the last Friday of every month, Catch 22 offers a guaranteed great night out for fans of live comedy, and can boast a longstanding history of showcasing acts who are now well known names on the UK comedy scene. Household favourites from Paul Sinha, Pete Firman, Adam Rowe, Sarah Millican, and Chris Ramsey have all featured in past line ups, so if you want to be the first to see the next big star, this is the event for you!
How can I book tickets?
Easy peasy! Just head to the ARC’s What’s On page and search for Catch 22 (or if you want an easy route, just click here). Tickets cost £14.50 per person or £16.50 per person for table seats, which is a steal to see four comedy acts.
Our Catch 22 experience
The first thing that I love about the ARC is that it’s really easy to get to. You can park in Wellington Square and walk over, or use one of the car parks off the A1305 or West Row (which are usually free on an evening – a Brucey bonus!). You can also use the Dovecot Street car park, but charges apply all day. We managed to nab a space on West Row and had the little 1 minute walk up the road to the venue.
The entrance is on Dovecot Street and as soon as you walk through the door, you’re greeted with the welcome desk and box office. It’s super convenient and means you aren’t wandering around where you’re meant to be going, especially if you’ve got tickets to pick up, like we did. And the staff on the desk were so helpful with our questions.
Just beyond the desk is the bar area, complete with seating all around the complete glass sides of the building, so you can have a drink and watch the world go by. It’s a pretty well-stocked bar and were able to serve us two beers, a gin and lemonade, and a J2O with no issue at all. And it was incredibly quick service too, despite how busy the area was for the event! Bar hack: if the downstairs bar is busy, there’s another on the first floor that you can try. The bar also doubles up as a cafe, which is open to the public six days a week (Mon-Sat). You don’t have to be going to an event – you can go in for lunch or use the free WiFi to do some work!
It wasn’t long before the doors were open for the Catch 22 event, so we headed into The Point (the theatre) to find our seats. I love that the seating is switched up for the comedy club from a rounded theatre-style seating plan to something a little more cabaret-y. Tables are laid out between the chairs, so people can get comfy and enjoy their drinks, and it gives the space a bit more of a relaxed, intimate vibe.
We easily found our seats and got settled in for the show, and what a show! The format was great and I liked that there was a break between each act. It was the ideal excuse to go back to the bar! Each comedian had a good amount of time to strut their stuff and my favourite was Martin Mor. There’s just something about the Irish accent that makes everything so much funnier. And it was fab to see Daniel Blacow working his slot after winning Beat The Gong.
Overall, we had an absolutely brilliant time and really loved the whole experience. Right from the get go, we felt so comfortable and excited. The whole venue and event was really easy to navigate, and it was clear that there were Catch 22 regulars there, so the ARC’s definitely doing something right! There were loads of drink choices and the staff were all so friendly. And the event itself was fabulous, so it was an all round great night.
About Stockton ARC
Stockton ARC is a charity that uses arts and cultural activity to support our local communities. They work locally, in Stockton and the Tees Valley, and nationally, through their leadership of networks and partnerships.
They have events and activities going on all year round for everyone. These include live performances, film screenings, workshops and classes. They are particularly keen that people who might feel that the arts isn’t for them are able to take part.
Whether you’re local or travelling to the area soon, make sure you take a look to see what’s on at the ARC!
I was gifted tickets to Catch 22 at Stockton ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.