Greenwich Comedy Festival is coming back to the National Maritime Museum next month so we asked one of the acts, Lewisham-dweller John Robins, to tell us about his favourite places in south east London.
The comedian, who was born and raised in the west country, told us: “I’ve lived in Lewisham for nearly two years. It’s quite siren-y. It is a very siren-heavy environment but I really like it.
“I lived in Maida Vale and Ealing before moving to Lewisham and while those places are much fancier, Lewisham has just got so much more going on and such a community atmosphere, like the Street Feast Market.“
On September 19, John – who won Best Compere at this year’s Chortle Awards – will host proceedings in the festival’s Big Top. The bill includes Adam Buxton, Richard Herring and John’s girlfriend, Live at the Apollo star Sara Pascoe.
John said: “Will and Cass (Briggs) who organise it have got my taste in comedy.
"Whenever I do the one in Bristol or the one in Greenwich I can never wait to see who I’m on with because I always like the people they get.
“I have known Rich for a long time and it is always nice to gig with Sara but I am really excited – probably a bit too excited – about meeting Adam Buxton.
“He’s one of those people I’m a fan of as well as someone I admire. I loved his Adam and Joe Show podcast for 6Music and XFM.
“I now have the same slot on XFM with Elis James that he and Joe used to have so that’s pretty cool.”
We asked John about some of his favourite places in south east London:
Gig Venue
“Up the Creek on the Sunday night is my favourite venue in south east London. It’s a very different kettle of fish on Friday and Saturday night.”
Pub
“My favourite place in Lewisham is a pub called The Dacre Arms, which is just nestled away off Lee High Road. It is a wonderful, wonderful pub.”
Food
“There is an astonishing Japanese place in Greenwich. From the outside it looks like it is really not good but then you go in and it is wonderful. It’s called Zaibatsu. It’s absolutely wonderful.”
Hangout
“I really like The Dacre Arms and the Ravensbourne Arms in Lewisham. To be honest, I don’t get a lot of time to go out really because I’m gigging in the evenings.
“I really like the 24-hour Sainsbury’s in Greenwich. It’s fantastic. It’s a massive, massive Sainsbury’s.”
For a date
“We go sometimes to Catford. There’s a little Italian in Catford called La Pizzeria Italiana. It’s fantastic. My girlfriend’s vegan and they do really nice baked avocado.
“There’s three pubs near there, one’s the Constitution Club.”
Outdoors
“I play football at Crystal Palace at the sports centre, they have comedians’ football which is really good fun. And I really like the walk from Lewisham to Blackheath going past the Observatory.”
Other comedians at Greenwich Comedy Festival – from September 16 to 20 at the National Maritime Museum – include Reginald D Hunter, Omid Djalili, Rich Hall and Bridget Christie. For the full line up and tickets, go to greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk
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