The best of the week's live comedy

The best of the week's live comedy.

Sunday June 18

BRIGHTON: Barking! Is Brighton's first dog-friendly comedy show, with audience members invited to bring along their four-legged friends. Certainly the acts have: Zoe Lyons will be accompanied by Mr Groucho Barx, Phil Jerrod with Burt Reynolds and Simon Evans with Talisker. Note the afternoon start time, 3pm. It's at Brighton Open Air Theatre, so the weather couldn't be better.....

LONDON: There's a benefit for mental health charity Mind at the Leicester Square Theatre tonight, featuring comics spanning the political spectrum from Nish Kumar to Andrew Lawrence, along with variety turns from Mat Ricardo and Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue, and many more.

CARDIFF: The Glee Club's comedy connoisseur night The Gathering this week boasts Adam Hills, fresh from his two-hour Last Leg broadcast on Friday, the endearing Matt Rees and clubbable compere Mark Olver.

Monday June 19

LONDON: The Battersea Arts Centre is hosting a benefit for victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, spearheaded by Mark Thomas and compered by Daniel Kitson. The show has long sold out, but we mention it as an excuse to post the link for making a donation to the cause. Here it is.

Tuesday June 20

MANCHESTER: Last year, comedian Lou Conran had to make the agonising decision to end her pregnancy five months in because her baby was too ill to go full term. She is preparing a show about the experience for the Edinburgh Fringe, hoping to bring the taboo topic into the open. Meanwhile tonight she has organised Bloody Good Night For A Bloody Good Cause at the Comedy Store to raise money for Saying Goodbye, a charity dedicated to those who have been affected by baby loss. And quite the line-up it is too, with star names Jason Manford, Joe Lycett, and Sarah Millican among those giving up their time.

NEWCASTLE: The Stand hosts Shake With Laughter, a benefit for Parkinson's UK hosted by ever-entertaining musical comic and featuring quick-witted Jason Cook, bundle-of-joy Barbara Nice and dour surrealist Gavin Webster, among others.

Thursday June 22

BRISTOL:Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are in conversation with Mel Giedroyc at Colston Hall tonight. They are in town to receive the Aardman Slapstick Comedy Legend Award from the city's comedy festival.

Friday June 23

LONDON: American-Norwegian double act Zach and Viggo made a strong first impression at last year's Edinburgh Fringe, with their supercharged clowning that instilled a spirit of fun in every audience. There's another chance to see that playful and energetic show at the Underbelly Festival on the South Bank tonight before they unveil their new offering at this year's Fringe.

LONDON: Avant-garde Jordan Brookes - nominated for best newcomer in last year's Chortle Awards - brings his unique and ambitious show The Making Of… to the Soho Theatre for a couple of nights.

LIVERPOOL: There's a strong bill at the Laughterhouse comedy club at The Slaughterhouse tonight and tomorrow. Impish telly name Joe Lycett is the big draw, but supporting cast Dan Nightingale and Patrick Monahan bring plenty to the party too.

Sunday June 25

LONDON: Chortle's Fast Fringe the perfect appetizer for Edinburgh, as 28 Fringe-bound comedy and variety acts perform bite-sized extracts from their shows in a fast-paced showcase, hosted by Arthur Smith. The eclectic range of acts on the bill at the Leicester Square Theatre includes festival favourites Late Night Gimp Fight, Britain's Got Talent star Jonny Awsum and Dominic Holland, making his return to the Fringe after an 11-year absence. Not to mention The Elvis Dead – which reinterprets the cult classic horror movie Evil Dead 2 through the songs of Elvis Presley – and stand-ups including Carl Donnelly, Rose Matefeo, Loyiso Gola and Christian Reilly. Tickets.

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Published: 18 Jun 2017