Last updated 11:40, Thursday, 26 June 2008

Don’t mention the dwindling attendances. Carlisle’s longest-running comedy night – Don’t Mention The Floods – is about to end due to disappointing audience numbers.

The night, which has run at The Brickyard on Fisher Street every fourth Wednesday since February 2006, ends next week with an impressive array of comedic talent.

Don’t Mention The Floods has attracted a mixture of big names, established acts and newcomers. The night has drawn big crowds for well known comedians but turnouts have sometimes been poor when household names have not headlined.

Last February 200 people saw Stewart Lee but the following month only 50 people turned out. Promoter Sam Sherwood said at the time: “People in the business say Carlisle is quite a strange place to promote gigs. If you can get a crowd in Carlisle you can get a crowd anywhere.

“It isn’t only whether someone is well known or not. It just seems to be difficult to persuade people out of their houses. If they go out it’s on a Friday or Saturday to have a drink.”

The economic impact has taken its toll and next Wednesday is expected to be the last regular Don’t Mention The Floods.

“We’ve put together a line-up of the highest quality, quantity and value ever seen in Carlisle,” says Sherwood.

Headlining is American Jesse Griffin as Wilson Dixon, pictured, a country singer from Cripple Creek, Colorado. Griffin’s incisive parody won him the Spank award for Best Musical Comedy Act. A large and talented supporting cast consists of Chris Brooker, Martin Plant, Damion Larkin, Jojo Sutherland, Patrick Rolink and Wouter Meijs.

Compering is Phoenix Nights’ actress Janice Connolly as her character act; stage-diving Stockport housewife Barbara Nice. Connolly appeared as Peter Kay’s mum in Coronation Street and is one of the most popular comperes on the circuit.

There will be occasional Don’t Mention the Floods specials, the first of which is on Tuesday, July 2, when Reginald D Hunter – a frequent guest on Have I got News for You – and London comedian Carey Marx preview their Edinburgh Festival shows.

Don’t Mention the Floods has outlasted several Carlisle rivals but its demise leaves the city with just one regular comedy night. The Howling Owl began in April at Sprit bar, on Crosby Street, and takes place on the first Friday of the month.

Tickets for next Wednesday’s Don’t Mention the Floods cost £7/£5. Doors open at 8pm for a 9pm start.