The comedy week ahead

The comedy week ahead...

Today

TV: Yonderland, the puppet-filled fantasy family comedy from the stars of Horrible Histories makes its debut on Sky One, with a double-bill. The cast includes Mat Baynton from The Wrong Mans, Martha Howe-Douglas from The Armstrong and Miller Show, and comedy acting stalwarts Simon Farnaby and Ben Willbond. Sky One, 6.30pm

Monday November 11

LIVE IN CHELTENHAM: Carl Donnelly kicks off the Cheltenham Comedy Festival, which runs through until a finale on Saturday featuring Sean Hughes, Barry Cryer, Ava Vidal, and Howard Read. Mark Watson, Richard Herring and Mark Thomas are among those visiting in the intervening days. Website.

LIVE IN GUILDFORD: Marcus Brigstocke introduces a strong line-up at G Live in aid of conservation charity TigerTime. Guests are Richard Herring, Simon Evans, Joel Dommett and Zoe Lyons.

DVD: The first of this year’s batch of stand-up titles is released today, with Bill Bailey’s Qualmpeddler and Greg Davies: The Back Of My Mum’s Head.

Wednesday November 13

RADIO: In October 1983, the first series of Radio 1’s Fist Of Fun propelled Stewart Lee and Richard Herring s into the public consciousness. Now it gets a repeat run on Radio 4 Extra, starting tonight at 11.30pm. Also appearing in this first episode are future stars Alistair McGowan, Rebecca Front and Peter Baynham.

Tuesday November 12

LIVE IN LONDON: Stand-up veteran Arnold Brown officially launches his film project ‘And Why Not…’ delving into his comedy roots in Glasgow’s Jewish south side with a chat show at the Soho Theatre. Guests include Miriam Margolyes, Bill Paterson, David Schneider and Helen Lederer.

Thursday November 14

LIVE IN LONDON: Frank Skinner starts an intimate nine-night run at the Soho Theatre, and astonishingly there are still a few seats left for the first three nights. But if you can’t make it, he has a month-long residency at Leicester Square Theatre from January.

LIVE IN LONDON: Also at the Soho Theatre until Saturday, Andy De La Tour, one of the founding figures of alternative comedy, tells of what happens when he returned to stand-up after a 20 year absence on the underground New York scene.

LIVE IN EDINBURGH: Comedian and history buff Susan Morrison takes a look at some of the eccentric and notorious characters from Edinburgh’s past in Witches, Quacks and Painted Ladies, at the Stand at the early time of 5.30pm

Saturday November 16

RADIO: In 4 Extra Stands Up, Jo Caulfield introduces a selection of comedians all recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe, including Paul Foot , Gary Delaney and Hal Cruttenden. Radio 4 Extra, 10pm

Published: 10 Nov 2013