The Zap was a beach-front nightclub and performance arts venue, in Brighton, England[1][2][3] that became known in the late 1980s and early 1990s particularly for its acid house nights.
[4][5][6] It has been described as an "influential ... club which pulled together many of the underground strands of visual art, fashion, music, design, comedy, cabaret and theatre which were circling at the time".
The first shows were presented in a cabaret format mixing performance art, poetry, comedy, dance and theatre[1] with the opening night featuring Ian Smith, Roger Ely and the band Resident Zero.
Tony Lidington of the Pierrotters recalled, "Alongside such acts as the Pookies, Theatre of the Bleeding Obelisk, Bright Red, The Pierotters, The Wild Wigglers, the nascent alternative cabaret and street scene had support and a home on the south coast...These seminal groups have had a profound impact on the contemporary performance scene in Britain today.
"[8]It soon moved to the Royal Escape and then to the Northern before finally settling at its own venue in the King's Road Arches in October 1984.
In 1985 it issued an LP record called Live at the Zap Club, including tracks by Pete McCarthy and John Dowie.
[1] From 1985, the Zap staged an annual alternative pantomime, performed by Zap staff and other performers, including John Dowie, James Poulter, Robin Driscoll, Tony Haase, Becky Stevens, Pete McCarthy, Andy Cunningham, Louise Rennison, Liz Aggiss, Steve North, John Cunningham, Roy Smiles, Jonathan Lemon and Jane Bassett.
This was the beginning of Divas Dance Theatre, which went on to premiere five more stage shows at the Zap: Dorothy and Klaus (1989) Die Orchidee im Plastik Karton (1989), Drool and Drivel They Care (1990) Cafeteria for a Sit-Down Meal (1992) and Absurditties(1994) [12] A later performance night was "Andy Walkers Frame Fame" on early Friday evenings, which showcased new performers and acts on the stage, introduced by Andy Walker and Adrian Bunting.
Internationally UZ created programmes for the Scottish Government (Executive) in New York, Canada, and Sweden and a range of projects in many countries.
Located in 5 arches on the King's Road (seafront) in Brighton, audiences would party until 5 am, with many continuing the motion (or more often sleeping) on the beach opposite until sunrise, depending on the time of year.
While "Tonka" straddled the acid house and early trance eras, "Protechtion" was more British style of techno, played by Eric Powell which was later further developed by DJs such as Dave Clarke, and Powell's Bush Records label; a happier, British house sound, played by London DJ Paul Newman (better known as "Tall Paul") Smokin Jo, John "double O" Fleming and DJ Paulette.
Additionally, Chris Coco's Saturday night played a more American style of dance music, predominantly Chicago house and then US garage.
The Zap was also one of only two nightclubs in the town to be given an extended licence in the early 1990s, allowing it to remain open after 2 am (the other venue was the Royal Escape).