Dukes at Komedia was opened as a sister cinema to Brighton's Duke of York's Picture House, from which the name was taken, enabling a wider variety of film programming in the city. As such, the two venues enjoy a close relationship, sharing many of the same staff. This link is represented visually by the red and white striped can-can legs which can be seen on the Dukes of Komedia's marquee and which resemble the more famous black and white version mounted on the roof of the Duke of York's.