The Establishment Club discovers an Ali Baba's cave of potential comedy gems

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore

Lin Cook, the widow of Peter Cook, has recently been busy, providing Keith Allen and Victor Lewis-Smith with hitherto unpublished personal pictures and documents from the satirist's archive, to help with the re-launch of The Establishment, Peter's legendary 60s club which "pops up" on 19th and 20th September at Ronnie Scott's, prior to launching in its own premises in 2013.

The material is kept in a secure facility, far away from Lin's house in North London, and hadn't been looked at for some time. As the door of the safe creaked open, out popped hundreds of old cassettes and videotapes, many in now-defunct formats, most untitled, and some clearly damaged beyond repair. However, most are still playable, and many months of viewing and listening lie ahead, to discover what they contain.

Within the first hour of foraging, Lewis-Smith and Allen found two comedic curiosities. One is a hitherto unknown Derek and Clive track (called "Porno"), and the other is a home-recorded monologue, with Peter in character as his famous" Jeremy Thorpe - Pink Oboe" judge, but improvising an entirely different scenario. Furthermore, a number of photos have been uncovered, several of them never previously published.

Nothing has been decided yet, but it's more than possible that both tapes will be played on a loop in the club loos, during the first "popup" nights. "That would perfectly capture the spirit of The Establishment," says Keith Allen. "Hard-hitting unbroadcastable humour on the stage, and in the toilets. toilet humour".

Embracing the Mad Men spirit of the 60s revival, though with it feet firmly in the present, the entertainment at The Establishment will combine old and new. The James Pearson Trio will perform a few rare gems penned by Dudley Moore, alongside new and controversial comedy, cabaret, burlesque and musical talent. 

The doors of The Establishment will be thrown open to performers who have a genuine dedication to the art of unrestricted, uncensored performances. As with the original Establishment, performers will be many and varied from young (or not so young) unknowns to household names (but as you've never seen them before).

Keith Allen, whose career in comedy, music, radio and television needs no introduction, will be hosting.

Visit www.theestablishmentclub.com and www.ronniescotts.co.uk/performances/view/1042-the-establishment-club-live-at-ronnie-scotts to find out more.

Listings information
Venue: Ronnie Scott's
Address: 47 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4HT
Date: Wed 19th & Thu 20th September
Time: 11.30pm (doors 10.45pm)
Price: £20
Box Office: 020 7439 0747 | www.ronniescotts.co.uk