The Invisible Dot closes: Stewart Lee pays tribute to King’s Cross comedy club

The Invisible Dot in Norrthdown Street. Picture: Google Maps (Image: Archant)

The Invisible Dot championed alternative comedy for seven years but looks to have hosted its last gig.

Director Simon Pearce, who also runs the promotion company of the same name, was set to meet creditors on Friday after reportedly going into voluntary liquidation.

Stewart was one of many comedians who became associated with the club, and told the Gazette he would miss it – even though he wasn’t a fan of the toilets being next to the stage in the Northdown Street venue.

“Invisible Dot provided a platform for new, left-field comedians trying to work outside the normal formats to develop ideas without getting into debt or selling their souls to big agencies,” he said.

“I hated and loved the artists it supported in equal measure, they were both infuriating and inspiring.

“The whole enterprise was hugely worthwhile, though the toilets in the King’s Cross venue were in a stupid place.

“It seems entirely appropriate, in the current political climate, that it should close, representing as it did a space for diversity, creativity and big open-minded ideas, all dirty words post-Brexit.

“I am sorry to see it go, even though it owes us money.”

The club was founded in 2009 at a Camden Market stable and became popular among comedians. Simon Amstell, Sara Pascoe, and Tim Key – who won the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2009 for a Dot-related show – could often be seen performing there.

It moved to the 75-seat converted workshop in King’s Cross in 2013, and also hosted a regular event – Live at the Chapel – at The Union Chapel in Upper Street.

The last advertised Live at the Chapel event is set to go ahead a week on Saturday as scheduled, though it is believed the night has been taken over by another promoter.

Mr Pearce has reportedly launched a new company named New Productions, though no events are pencilled in yet. He could not be contacted for a comment.