The comedy week ahead

The comedy week ahead.

Sunday October 4

LIVE IN LONDON: An excellent bill of comedy's most exciting acts are staging a benefit for the UN Refugee Agency in the intimate basement of The Phoenix pub, near Oxford Circus. The impeccable line-up comprises Adam Hess, Bec Hill, Pat Cahill, Richard Herring, Sam Simmons, Sean McLoughlin,Sofie Hagen, Tony Law and MC John Robins.

Monday October 5

LIVE IN LONDON: Joseph Morpurgo begins a three-week run of his inventive Edinburgh show at the Invisible Dot. Based around a spoof Desert Island Discs episode – Kirsty Young's contribution painstakingly recreated from cut-up clips – it's a high-concept one-man sketch show in which each segment is totally different from the one before, yet still maintaining a narrative. Nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award, it was one of the most ingenious and funny shows of the festival. Review

LIVE IN LONDON: Another highlight of Edinburgh was Sean McLoughlin's Whatever It Takes, exploring his neurosis as life batters him down and he loses faith in why he became a comic in the first place. If that sounds intense, it is, but the soul-bearing is also brutally funny. He has two nights in the Soho Theatre this week ahead of a nationwide tour later this autumn. Review and dates.

RADIO: Just A Minute returns with an episode recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe for which Nicholas Parsons is joined by Janey Godley, Gyles Brandreth, Joe Lycett and Paul Merton. Radio 4, 6.30pm

Tuesday October 6

TV: Clear TV highlight of the week is Together, a warm and consistently funny romcom from Jonny Sweet, in the vein of other classy BBC Three shows such as Gavin & Stacey and Him and Her. The Thick Of It's Alex Macqueen is a special delight as the bonkers father of Sweet's character Tom, but there are plenty of lovely moments in this delightful comedy.Read more.

TV: Ryan Sampson from Plebs stars in Glitchy, a sketch show spoofing other TV programmes, often involving unsuspecting members of the public in the pranks.

Thursday October 8

LIVE IN LONDON: Jordan Brookes's Adventures In Limited Space flew under the radar a bit at the Fringe, but it's an amusing and ambitious attempt to play with the boundaries of stand-up. This show at the Aces and Eights is recommended if you want something different from the norm. Review.

Friday October 9

LIVE IN BRIGHTON: The city's comedy festival kicks off with a gala show in the Dome featuring Phill Jupitus, Simon Evans, Phil Jerrod, Tom Allen and Suzi Ruffell. There's also a good mix at the Komedia this weekend, including pun prince Gary Delaney and all-round smartypants Josh Howie. Tomorrow's highlights include James Acaster and David O'Doherty. Website

LIVE IN PLYMOUTH: Bill Bailey kicks off his latest long-running tour Limboland at the Pavilion, promising his most personal show yet as he finds himself at a transitional stage of life as he turns 50. Dates

LIVE IN LONDON:A typically strong bill at Bush Hall in Shepherds Bush features the high-impact audience interaction of alpha-male character comic Adam Riches and the beautifully quirky poetry of Tim Key. Dan Atkinson MCs.

LIVE IN LONDON: Jeremy Lion helps save his namesakes, as brilliantly boozy kids entertainer (the alter ego of Justin Edwards) makes a rare live appearance as part of the packed top-flight bill at the Hammersmith Apollo to raise money for London Zoo's conservation efforts. Also performing are Dominic Holland, Marcus Brigstocke, Miles Jupp, Nick Helm, Rich Hall, Robin Ince, Tiff Stevenson and MC Greg Burns.

Published: 4 Oct 2015