The ever-hilarious Punchline Comedy Club played to sold-out audiences in Qingdao and Beijing on the eve of China's National Day holiday, with British standup comedians Mandy Knight, Karl Spain and Carey Marx capping a three-week long tour of East Asia that also included stops in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Comedian and Punchline-founder John Moorhead began bringing acts to Hong Kong fifteen years ago, with his first forays into the mainland in 2000-01. Punchline has brought top comics from the UK, Ireland, North America and Down Under four or five times each year since, along with an annual tour of the world-famous Whose Line is it Anyway? �an improvisational show featuring five veteran players.

In Beijing, Punk at The Opposite House saw a full house audience in stitches. Pre-show happy hour cocktail drinks were held at Mesh, where 2-for-1 drinks added an extra kick to the comedians' raucous punchlines. Ticket holders felt fortunate to see the comedians on their only night in Beijing, as that show was sold out a week before the event.

Anthony Ross, General Manager at the Opposite House, is looking forward to the next edition, coming 16 November. "The first comedy club was a great laugh for the packed house. We look forward to more of it" he said after the show. "Punk proved a great venue in the intimate style of comedy clubs overseas."

The final two performances were produced by Qingdao-based REDSTAR Times Media, a graphic design and events company which produces Qingdao's REDSTAR magazine. Beijing's City Weekend magazine also provided promotional sponsorship.

The comedy club received additional support from The Village at Sanlitun�a vibrant new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties. Vanessa Marescialli, on behalf of the Village marketing team, could appreciate the production as much from a spectator's point of view, finding it to be "a riot and a half! Talk about side-splitting adult fun, it was one of the best nights of comedy ever seen in Beijing!"

The next edition of Punchline Comedy Club will play at ssLPG in Qingdao 12 November, featuring comedians Dougie Dunlop, Dave Hadingham and John Fothergill. The three will appear at Punk in Beijing on 16 November.

About Punchline Comedy Club Founded by John Moorhead, Punchline was the first ever comedy club in Asia, and has sold out monthly shows in Hong Kong since 1994, where it attracts enthusiastic audiences to entertainment by renowned comedians from the famous UK comedy circuit.

Today Punchline is a regular feature of the performing arts scene in Phuket, Bangkok, Manila, Tokyo, Tawian, Macao, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Beijing.

For promotion opportunities with Punchline events in Beijing and Qingdao or to book tickets, please contact Ian Burns Punchline Comedy Club, Beijing & Qingdao / REDSTAR media China mobile: (+86) 139 0639-0437 E-mail: ian.burns@mac.com

For further information on all other Punchline events, please contact John Moorhead Punchline Comedy Club International mobile: (+44) 797 065-1205 E-mail: john@punchlinecomedy.com www.punchlinecomedy.com

About Punk Punk is a chic late night bar and club housed in the basement of The Opposite House, featuring DJs from New York to Tokyo as well as the best local talent from Beijing and Shanghai. Punk takes nightlife culture to the next level with exclusive collaborations with designers and artists, celebrating a unique blend of fashion, art and music.

Swire Hotels Swire Hotels has been created to manage intriguing urban hotels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the United Kingdom, providing a luxury experience for travellers who seek individuality, style and personalised service.

The Opposite House, Beijing, opened in 2008 and was followed by the opening of a 117-room small intimate hotel, The Upper House, in Pacific Place, Hong Kong, in October 2009. Swire Hotels will open a 345-room lifestyle business hotel called EAST in Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong, in January 2010.

In the United Kingdom, Swire Hotels is developing a collection of stylish boutique hotels in interesting English towns and cities to be launched in 2010.

Issued by Grebstad Hicks Communications on behalf of Swire Hotels.

For further information on The Opposite House, please contact

Ms. Carol Kong / Ms. Denise Ho Grebstad Hicks Communications Tel: (852) 2810 0532 Email: carol.kong@ghcasia.com / denise.ho@ghcasia.com