This week's best live comedy

The week ahead in live comedy.

Monday October 2

BELFAST: The Belfast Comedy Festival returns for a sixth year, with local acts appearing alongside visitors such as John Bishop, doing a work-in-progress for his forthcoming arena tour, Henning Wehn, Joel Dommett, Bec Hill and Fern Brady. It runs until Sunday. Details.

Tuesday October 3

LONDON: Well, it's going to be cheaper than a trip to Israel to see them. Three Tel Aviv-based comedians Shahar Hason, Yossi Tarablus and Yohay Sponder share a bill at the Seven Dials Club in Covent Garden. And yes, they are performing in English.

LONDON: A mix of styles from three continents at the Half Moon in Putney as Aussie provocateur Brendon Burns, angry but ineffectual nice guy Brit Hal Cruttenden and alternative American stand-up Al Lubel assemble for the Gits and Shiggles Comedy Club

MANCHESTER: There's a strong bill at XS Malarkey, one of the country's best-loved comedy clubs, tonight. Regular host Toby Hadoke introduces award magnet Brennan Reece, 2017 Edinburgh best newcomer nominee Lauren Pattison and the heavily-tipped, and understandably so, Rose Matafeo. It's at the Bread Shed, as the Pub/Zoo venue has been renamed after a much-needed £450,000 refit.

Thursday October 5

LONDON: A couple of strong - if relatively under-the-radar - Edinburgh shows get another run-out at the Bill Murray in Islington, courtesy of Alastair Beckett-King and Michael Legge. And there's free beer and pizza…

LONDON: Charismatic Icelandic comedian Ari Eldjárn also made a good first impression at Edinburgh with a tight, slick, well-observed set from a unique point of view. He's at the Soho Theatre for the next three nights. Review

ABERDEEN: The 11-day Aberdeen Comedy Festival kicks off tonight, with 50 comedy shows including Fred MacAulay, Britain's Got Talent comic Daliso Chaponda, Justin Moorhouse, Gary Delaney, and Andrew Maxwell. Details.

WINCHESTER: With 17 shows over four days, The Winchester festival welcomes acts such as Gary Delaney, Paul Sinha, and food critic Jay Rayner. A full list of events are on the festival website.

Friday October 6

BIRMINGHAM: Greg Davies and Matt Lucas headline this year's Birmingham Comedy Festival. The ten-day event, kicking off with a Breaking Talent award at the Glee tonight, andfeatures 80 shows – from local heroes like Joe Lycett and Barbara Nice to international stars such as Impractical Jokers. Details

Saturday October 7

LONDON: The Hackney Picturehouse is hosting a comedy all-dayer, with acts including downbeat Brian Gittins, Brett Goldstein (as seen in last week's BBC Two pilot The Pact) and Kat Bond's show all about Loo Roll. Schedule.

SUDBURY: Telly regular Ellie Taylor kicks off a tour of her latest show, This Guy, in Suffolk. Marriage and motherhood are cornerstones, with a ticking biological clock failing to convince her she wants to have children. Here is the schedule.

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Published: 1 Oct 2017