The comedy week ahead

The comedy week ahead…

Sunday March 15

TV: Nina Conti follows her award-winning directorial debut, Her Master's Voice, with Clowning Around, an intimate documentary about her blighted two year stint as a hospital clown. The film follows the ventriloquist as she trains as a Giggle Doctor with Theodora Children's Charity, beginning with her trying to find her clown persona – and when she discovers that that her puppet, Monkey, can only perform in hospitals if he can be boil-washed, Nina tries to go it alone with 'a red nose, a few mis-shapen balloon animals and some slightly disappointing magic tricks'. BBC Four, 9pm

TV: Could Jason Byrne be the next Eddie Waring? And who the hell, younger readers are probably asking, is Eddie Waring? The comedian is joining wildlife presenter Kate Humble as hosts of a new Sky1 entertainment show, Wild Things, which has elements of being a 21st Century It's A Knockout. The idea is that teams of two tackle a large obstacle course to find a treasure trove… but one contestant in each pair will be dressed as a cuddly, if cumbersome, critter. Sky 1, 7pm
LIVE IN GLASGOW: The comedy festival continues all week, though it's a quiet night tonight with just nine shows - the pick of which is John Hegley at 3pm at 7.30pm.

Monday March 16

LIVE IN MANCHESTER: The Comedy Store is hosting a benefit in aid of Parkinson's UK, with none other than Johnny Vegas headlining a bill that also boasts in-demand circuit stalwarts Justin Moorhouse, Mick Ferry and Rob Deering.

NEWS: The winners of this year's Chortle Awards will be unveiled at a ceremony at Jongleurs Camden, hosted by Clive Anderson. Stand by your twitter feed for live updates from @Chortle

Tuesday March 17

LIVE IN LONDON: A couple of deservedly popular panel-show podcasts - Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown and Do The Right Thing, hosted by Danielle Ward - are being recorded at The Phoenix in Cavendish Square.

LIVE IN NORTH YORKSHIRE: David Trent's painstakingly deconstructs pop culture with righteous exasperation and lots of projectors as his now-inaccurately named Edinburgh show Live At The Pleasance Vouryard plays the the Hemelvaart Bier Cafe in Bedale. It's at Seen at Darlington tomorrow, too. Review

Thursday March 19

LIVE IN LONDON: It's the penultimate heat of the Chortle Student Comedy Award at Stokey Stop in Stoke Newington tonight, with a special guest compere.

LIVE IN LONDON: Cars And Girls, Alexis Dubus' compelling and witty travel story - told ambitiously but not show-offily entirely in verse - begins a three-night run at the Soho Theatre.

Friday March 20

LIVE IN BRIGHTON: A double-bill of charming campness at the Komedia this weekend, with both Joe Lycett and Tom Allen on the bill of the Krater Club. Assured Canadian comic Sean Collins completes the strong bill, compered by Jim Smallman.

Saturday March 21

RADIO: Barry Cryer turns 80 on March 23, and to mark the milestone, Radio 4 Extra dusts down his 2003 Edinburgh Fringe show Rock of Ages, mixing classic gags and blues crooning. There will also be a chance to hear more on Barry's life and work on Desert Island Discs Revisited tomorrow. Radio 4 Extra, 2pm

RADIO: Later, more contemporary comics are showcased in Radio 4 Extra's comedy-club show Sabotage, featuring Colin Hoult, Mae Martin and sketch troupe Sheeps. Radio 4 Extra, 10pm

Published: 15 Mar 2015