The comedy week ahead

Tuesday September 3

LIVE IN MANCHESTER: The BBC New Comedy Award, which kicked off at the Edinburgh Fringe, has its next two heats at the Manchester Comedy Store tonight and tomorrow.The kudos of the title normally attracts the best of the new-act circuit. Meanwhile, the first heat will air on Radio 4 Extra at 10.30pm this Friday.

THEATRE IN MERSEYSIDE: This is an intriguing idea: Stand Up The Musical. It tells the story of three comedians onstage and off, all at different stages of their career, and stars Darren Day, Billy Pearce, Lionel Blair and Dean Sullivan, best known as Jimmy Corkhill, in Brookside. It runs for just a week at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton.

Wednesday September 4

LIVE IN CARDIFF: Barry Cryer is recording his new DVD for indie label Go Faster stripe with his regular collaborator Ronnie Golden. With a combined age of 142, they promise anecdotes, songs and gags at their show at the Chapter Arts Centre.

Thursday September 5

LIVE IN LONDON: American musical comedian and YouTube hit Stephen Lynch is to play two dates at the Theatre, today and tomorrow.

LIVE IN DUBLIN: The two-and-a-bit week Dublin Fringe launches. There’s not a lot of comedy, but look out for Aisling Bea’s Edinburgh newcomer-nominated show C’est La Bea on Saturday, and David O’Doherty on Sunday 15. Website,

Friday September 6

THEATRE IN LONDON: Lee Evans starts his latest West End venture, starring alongside Sheila Hancock and Keeley Hawes in the new comedy Barking In Essex. He plays a delinquent villain coming out of jail after seven years to spend his ill-gotten stash, and reuniting with his larger-than-life, TOWIE-like family. It runs at Wyndham's Theatre until January.

Saturday September 7

LIVE IN LONDON: One-liner king Milton Jones is recording the DVD of his latest tour, On The Road, at the Bloomsbury theatre. It’ll be out in time for Christmas. (Preorder)

Published: 1 Sep 2013