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LONDON, Wednesday 2nd June 2010: Comedy giant Jongleurs today announced that it is investing a further £2m into its comedy and entertainment offering in 2010, with plans to launch nine new clubs nationwide later this year.

Jongleurs investment arrives at a time the UK is enjoying a comedy boom with arena tours selling out and stand up comedy DVD sales toppling Hollywood blockbusters at Christmas.

The new launch, a franchise agreement with Momo Leisure Ltd, will see new clubs open in Cambridge, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle to add to an already successful Nottingham launch in April.

The Nottingham site has re-established comedy back in the heart of the City to great customer reaction. Shows are already extremely busy with customers saying how delighted they are that the Jongleurs brand is back. The new look Jongleurs is quickly developing a reputation for great service, good food and of course a first class comedy experience.

Momo Leisure was founded in 2009 by David Elphick, Head of Training at Poppleston Allen and Jez King, a former Regent Inns Executive and Divisional MD at Laurel. The pair has put together a strong management team who are very experienced in the comedy market.

Further expansion plans are already underway with Novus Leisure Ltd, which opened the flagship joint venture at Sway in Covent Garden on 15th May 2010, with plans to open new clubs in Portsmouth, Croydon, Glasgow and Leeds.

Jongluers@Sway has been selling out a new premium comedy offering, Jongleurs Posh, a £40 ticket that includes a three course dinner, four stand up acts and table service, suggesting that comedy is one of the most recession-proof of all industries.

John Davy, Jongleurs co-owner, said “Jongleurs is synonymous with great comedy and a fantastic all round night out and this fresh investment will help bring our unique offering to even more customers and new audiences. The appetite for a complete comedy and entertainment experience is stronger than ever and we are experiencing unprecedented demand from corporate and larger group bookings in particular who are looking for an entertainment one-stop-shop.”

Maria Kempinska, Jongleurs founder and co-owner, said “For 27 years Jongleurs has been a driving force in British stand up comedy, innovating the comedy experience in terms of acts, environment and approach. It seems people want to laugh and be entertained in times of recession and Jongleurs is focussed on meeting that need.”

By the end of 2010 there will be eleven Jongleurs clubs around the UK in total, with plans to continue to roll out in 2011.

Press Contact: Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151

Best friends Mark (Stephen Mangan) and Brian (Rhys Thomas) attempt to save the planet and get into the Guinness Book of Records by venturing to the Arctic unaided. But there’s just one problem – neither of them has had any expeditionary experience before and their idea of training is to visit a meat freezer. No one said saving the planet would be easy, but does it have to be this hard?

Luckily they are followed by Steve, their hardened arctic cameraman, for the digital channel Adventure Plus. That is until they accidentally shoot him. All alone on the ice, the lads are left to fend for themselves and tackle polar bears, try to beat off competitive Norwegians and keep Mark sane as he rapidly loosens his grip on reality.

It’s not just sub zero temperatures and a lack of food that they face, both men also receive life changing news whilst away. Mark learns his wife wants a divorce and Brian is told his partner is expecting a baby. As they struggle to come to terms with the developments back home their bond becomes strained, but together they must face their biggest challenge yet: to reach the North Pole.

David L Williams, Director, says: “Beyond the Pole was a triumph of sheer bloody mindedness over resources, funds and time. It’s wonderful to see a Brit indie up on the big screen that has such ambition, is funny and shot somewhere most of us will never visit in our lifetimes. I watch it now and I can’t believe we were there!”

Helen Baxendale, star and executive producer added “ We’re absolutely thrilled with the press response to the film. I think it’s a film we can all be incredibly proud of and as an actress I hope the actors are recognised for giving us the performances of their careers. They really are standout great and I can’t wait to see how they go down with the public”.

Beyond the Pole is a heart-warming, satirical tale of two friends on a journey of self-discovery somewhere between a humorous take on Touching the Void and Withnail and I on ice. Beautifully shot on location in Greenland and featuring breathtaking scenery, Beyond the Pole is released in cinemas from March 2010.

www.beyondthepole.com

Cast – Stephen Mangan (Green Wing; Confetti; Free Agents), Rhys Thomas (The Fast Show; Bellamy’s People), Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood; Zoolander) and Helen Baxendale (Cold Feet; Friends)

Crew - Director David L Williams, Screenplay Neil Warhurst, Co-writer David L Williams, Based on a radio series by Neil Warhurst and Paul Barnhill, Produced by David L Williams and Andrew Curtis, Co-producer Dean O’Toole, Executive Producer Helen Baxendale, Director of Photography Stuart Biddlecome, Film Editor Rob Miller, Original Music Guy Michelmore

The series was voted the Best New British Television Comedy at the 2008 British Comedy Awards, and continues where the first series left off. Centered at Rudge Park comprehensive school, four dysfunctional friends are all desperately trying to work out how to fit in.

Over the six episodes, the lads attempt to assert their maturity in a clubbing trip to London. The French exchange student is a bit too much of a threat, and they endure the infamous sociology and geography field trip to Swanage in the hope of finding the legendary Swanage ‘MILF’. Work experience week sets up new challenges for Will and Neil and even the underage disco proves socially fatal for them. Facing new tests everyday they also have to deal with the day-to-day traumas of teenage life, families and exams.

For all enquiries please contact Louisa.bradshaw@taylorherring.com

Released on the 9th March this irreverent comedy follows Fish as struggles to reclaim the heady heights of rock superstardom that were so nearly his.

Roping his teenage nephew’s band into his outrageous plans along the way Fish is determined to live his dreams, no matter what the cost.

For further information, kate.arrowsmith@taylorherring.com