The comedy week ahead

The comedy week ahead...

Sunday May 1

LIVE IN BRIGHTON: Zoe Lyons' monthly Bent Double night at the Komedia offers a range of styles from the droll David Mills to the camp Stephen Bailey,via charming Laura Lexx, lugubrious Mick Ferry and smart and political Paul Sinha.

LIVE IN BRIGHTON: But the resort folk are spoiled for choice tonight as Adam Buxton headlines an Invisible Dot gig at the Theatre Royal with Dane Baptiste, Mae Martin, and current Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Sam Simmons.

Monday May 2

TV: For an hilarious presidential campaign with a farcical candidate, look no further than CNN. Meanwhile, the fifth series of Veep - the first without Armando Iannucci at the helm - begins on Sky Atlantic with a double episode. 10.10pm

Tuesday May 3

LIVE IN CANTERBURY: Andy Hamilton delivers the second annual Linda Smith lecture at the Gulbenkian Theatre. The event is designed to celebrate Smith's life and work, her interest in comedy and its use in and for political and social commentary… and since Hamilton - a News Quiz regular and co-writer of Outnumbered - was such a good friend of the late comedian, he's the perfect choice to deliver the message.

LIVE IN CARDIFF: Master raconteur Craig Campbell, comedy's own rugged outdoorsman, continues his long-running Don't Look Down tour with a gig at St David's Hall.

Wednesday May 4

LIVE IN LONDON: The Comedy pub - geographically very close to, but unrelated to the Comedy Store – hosts a strong night, featuring much-loved comedy eccentric Tony Law, professional smartarse Nish Kumar, upbeat social commentator Tez Ilyas and charming everymen Pierre Novellie and Matt Richardson.

Thursday May 5

LIVE IN LONDON: Stewart Lee headlines a benefit for Depression Alliance at the Union Chapel in Islington, on a bill that also includes Ellie Taylor, Greg Burns, Jimmy Bird, John Robertson, Zoe Lyons and - as MC - Virgin Radio's Matt Richardson.

Friday May 6

TV: Treasonable comedy from Channel 4 as they launch their new show The Windsors. From the writers of Star Stories, George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore, it imagines the Royal family as a glitzy over-the-top soap opera. Prince Charles (Harry Enfield) tries to keep his family in order, but Wills (Hugh Skinner) wants to mingle with the people. Meanwhile Kate (Louise Ford) volunteers to help Harry with his fancy-dress ball... It kicks off with a double bill at 10pm.

TV: Going head to head with The Windsors is Hoff The Record – with David Hasselhoff as a fictionalised version of himself attempting to revive his flagging career. In this opener manager Max (Fergus Craig) tries to capitalise on a rumour that Hoff has died. Guest stars over the series include Tracy Ann Oberman, Alex McQueen, Jessica Hynes, Sarah Hadland, Kevin Eldon and Tulisa. Dave, 10pm

LIVE IN LONDON: Almost everyone who's anyone in mainstream comedy is at the O2 Arena tonight, for the Channel 4 Comedy Gala in aid of Great Ormond Street children's hospital. Organised by mega-agents Off The Kerb, the bill features Michael McIntyre, Alan Carr, Kevin Bridges, Sean Lock, Seann Walsh, Lee Nelson, Russell Kane, Shappi Khorsandi, Aisling Bea, Hal Cruttenden, Joel Dommett,Nathan Caton and Roisin Conaty.

LIVE IN BRIGHTON: The Brighton Fringe kicks off today, a month-long event that includes more than 900 events… admittedly of varying quality, but you can't deny the scale of the venture. Browse the listings here.

LIVE IN LONDON: It's the swansong for Sofie Hagen's Edinburgh best-newcomer-winning show Bubblewrap, with two nights at the Soho Theatre. She covers body issues, mental health and feminism with a light touch, and through the prism of her youthful obsession with Westlife.

Published: 1 May 2016