QI's podcast goes on tour, and the rest of the week's life comedy

The pick of the week's live comedy shows.

Sunday October 22

LONDON: Al Murray is to be the guest on David Reed's improvised podcast spoof Inside The Comedian tonight, with the Pub Landlord tackling questions about a fictional career he hitherto hadn't been aware of. Ruth Bratt, of Olivier-award-winning Showstoppers, will be the second guest at the recording, taking place at The Phoenix near Oxford Circus.

NEWCASTLE: Speaking of podcasts, No Such Thing As A Fish - the weekly collection of unlikely facts from QI researchers hits the road tonight. Their two gigs at The Stand today kick off a tour that takes them through to March next year. Dates.

STIRLING: Shappi Khorsandi begins a short Highlands and islands tour of her latest show about Britishness,Oh My Country! From Morris Dancing to Morrissey at the Tolbooth. Dates

Monday October 23

WOLVERHAMPTON: When reports from the Office for National Statistics stated that Wolverhampton was the unhappiest place in the UK, locals decided to prove they weren't… by setting up a comedy festival. Funny Things kicks off tonight at the Slade Rooms where  Barbara Nice will be in conversation with fellow comedian Francesca Martinez. Among the 120 shows in the festival are performances from German comedian Henning Wehn, Canadian Tom Stade and Milton Jones, who's from another planet.

LONDON: Robin Ince has expressed frustration that tonight's benefit he organised at the New Wimbledon Theatre hasn't already sold out. It can't be anything to do with the excellent bill, which includes Daniel Kitson, James Acaster, Billy Bragg, Mark Thomas and Josie Long. So what's stopping you? The gig is raising money for the wife of pioneering American comedian Barry Crimmins, Helen, who has ovarian and cervical cancer, and not all the treatment is covered by her health insurance. God bless America.

Tuesday October 24

GALWAY: Dara O Briain, Kevin Bridges, Tommy Tiernan are among the big-hitters taking part in Galway's annual comedy festival. The 75 shows  for the week-long Vodafone Comedy Carnival also include Rich Hall, Foil Arms & Hog, David O'Doherty, Rubberbandits, Jimeoin and Ardal O'Hanlon...  and quite a lot more besides.  Website.

Thursday October 26

LONDON: There's a strong bill at the Comedy Store throughout this weekend, led by supercilious droll humour of Simon Evans and backed by the wry Phil Wang, Britain's Got Talent star Daliso Chaponda, quick-witted Stephen Grant, and experienced Mandy Knight.

LONDON:  The potent politics of Alfie Brown, Fin Taylor and Athena Kugblenu face off against the surreal Elf Lyons in a Satire vs Silliness fundraiser for Refugee Council at the Bill Murray.

OAKHAM: Sticking with successful BGT contestants, Jonny Awsum plays The Grainstore, alongside hilariously inappropriate medium Ian D Montfort (aka Tom Binns) and others.

CARDIFF: Comedy fans in the Welsh capital are spoiled for choice tonight: Micky Flanagan at the Motorpoint Arena for a second night or Milton Jones at  St David's Hall. Decisions, decisions...

Saturday October 28

BIRMINGHAM: A good and varied line-up at the Comedy Loft tonight features a rare performance from playful mischief-maker Ian Boldsworth, the analytically funny Adam Bloom, Borscht Belt throwback Sol Bernstein and affable Andrew Ryan.

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Published: 22 Oct 2017