Marquee festivals in York, Ealing and Central London

The comedy week ahead…

Sunday July 10

LIVE IN EDINBURGH: Bawdy provocateur Jim Jefferies continues his no-nonsense Freedumb tour of the UK with a night at the EICC tonight. He's in in Bristol, London and Manchester over the rest of the week.

Monday July 11

TV: As part of the BBC's #Lovetoread campaign, Horrible Histories returns with a one-off special about Staggering Storytellers – from Dickens to Dahl, Byron to Blyton. It stars Tom Stourton, Jess Ransome, Jalaal Hartley and Mel Giedroyc. Here's a clip:
CBBC, 5pm

Tuesday July 12

LIVE IN LONDON: The comedy world is sticking by Jeremy Corbyn even if his own MPs aren't. Rufus Hound briefly comes out of stand-up retirement for an optimistically named #JC4PM gig at The Forum in Kentish Town, with Jezza himself making an appearance. Also on the bill: Dane Baptiste, Francesca Martinez, Jeremy Hardy and Ken Loach… probably not doing a stand-up set.

Wednesday July 13

TV: Greg Davies is back as the the hapless Dan in a new series of Man Down…. Although in this opening episode the star is undoubtedly Steven Berkoff, making a guest appearance as the terrifying school caretaker. Channel 4, 10pm

LIVE IN LONDON: Compared to its Montreal original, the first Just For Laughs London is a more muted affair, overshadowed by the Udderbelly and the imminence of Edinburgh. But it's only in its first year and there are still treats around the central London site: Comedy magician Piff The Magic Dragon's, on fire, if you'll excuse the expression, since making the final of America's Got Talent last year is on all week from tomorrow, while Jim Jefferies performs two shows a night from tonight til Friday. Tickets .

RADIO: New narrative sketch show Expenses Only has certainly got a topical premise, being based around the world of work experience and unpaid internships. Rasmus Hardiker and Lucy Beaumont play enthusiastic Tim and jaded Miranda, who compete for a placement with an advertising firm via a series of increasingly challenging jobs. The show has been created by new writer Alex Lynch - who,aptly enough, got the show commissioned while on work experience.Radio 4, 11pm

Thursday July 14

LIVE IN LONDON: The Ealing Comedy Festival, in a marquee in Walpole Park, is one of the capital's comedy treats. It gets under way tonight with Barry Cryer hosting Alan Davies, Paul Sinha, Ian Stone; while there's a super-packed bill tomorrow featuring Stephen K Amos, the visual comedy of Men In Coats and the observational comedy of Michael McIntyre's support act, Paul Tonkinson, among many more.

BOOKS: A big day in comedy publishing today, with a couple of titles hitting shelves.There's Luisa Omielan's autobiographical debut entitled, of course, What Would Beyonce Do?! (Order) and Mark Watson's sixth novel, the Dubai-set The Place That Didn't Exist (Order)

RADIO: Sketch trio Daphne begin their own half-hour Radio 4 series, with the offbeat comedy of Jason Forbes, George Fouracres and Phil Wang being backed by a live nine-piece band. 11pm

Friday July 15

LIVE IN YORK: The Great Yorkshire Fringe kicks off featuring 150 events - mostly comedy - over the next 18 days. Opening weekend highlights are Tom Stade's stylish and mischievous tour show You're Welcome and a preview from alternative comedy grand fromage Simon Munnery, both on today and tomorrow. The website is here

Saturday July 16

LIVE IN LONDON: Reggie Watts makes one of his very occasional visits to London, trading his slot as the bandleader on James Corden's US talk show to showcase his bizarre musical noodlings and brilliant voice-character work at the South Bank's Royal Festival Hall.

• For full live comedy listings, use the pull-down menus at the top of the page to see what's on near you on any given day.

Published: 10 Jul 2016