Sony Digital Cinema marks a cinema industry first as it today announced a long-term partnership with The Comedy Store to distribute a new comedy show series across cinema chains globally.
This partnership is yet another clear indication that Sony Digital Cinema is focused on bringing new and compelling alternative content to cinema exhibitors and their audiences. Stand-up comedy is enjoyed universally; therefore it made sense for Sony to bring it into the social context of the big screen.
The first series will be captured at four Comedy store shows in early autumn. It will include a range of comedy shows that feature the brightest comedy talent currently on the UK circuit.
David McIntosh, Senior Vice President, Sony Digital Cinema said: “Sony is pleased to bring a stand-up comedy series to the big screen – another first in the world of cinema! Partnering with such an influential comedy club like The Comedy Store gives Sony the chance to bring innovative, quality new content to cinema screens, so consumers can enjoy iconic theatre performances without having to travel too far from home.”
The Comedy Store is a comedy club located in London, Manchester and Mumbai. The London venue opened in 1979 by Don Ward, and was inspired byThe Comedy Store club in the United States, which Don Ward had visited the previous year. The club was the focus of the "alternative comedy" boom in the early 1980s and helped start the careers of many comedians, including Paul Merton,[1] French & Saunders, Alexei Sayle, Craig Ferguson, Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Ben Elton, Simon Pegg, Pat Condell and John Sparkes.
Don Ward, CEO, The Comedy Store said: “I’m incredibly excited about this new cinematic venture which allows us to throw open the doors of the Comedy Store to cinemas around the world. For over 33 years, we have been at the forefront of live comedy, presenting the very best in UK and international stand-up talent in our own venues. This represents an exciting new era in stand-up comedy and I am thrilled to be pioneering such a project alongside our esteemed partners at Sony.”
Consumers will be able to visit their local cinemas to watch the new series in 2D late 2012 / early 2013.
