The week's best live gigs

The best of the week’s live comedy.

Sunday July 1

SHEFFIELD: There’s a full day of Edinburgh previews at the New Barrack Tavern today, all for £6. The Funhouse Comedy Club event includes the likes of Britain’s Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy and Mock The Week regular Gary Delaney, among others. It kicks off at 2pm.

LONDON: Another all-day session at the Bill Murray as indie DVD label Go Faster Stripe tries to bottle the magic of some of comedy’s more experimental cult offerings, including the eclectic Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, the solo show from its co-founder Thom Tuck (pictured), and peculiar alchemy of Tony Law. From 3pm.

Monday July 2

LONDON: Tonight the Comedy Store hosts a one-off fundraiser for the Shakespeare Schools Foundation, entitled A Man Walks Into A Bard. It features a grade-A line-up of James Acaster, Desiree Burch, Ellie Taylor, Darren Harriott, Pierre Novellie, Colin Hoult as Anna Mann and Great British Mysteries.

Tuesday July 3

LONDON: Competing for your attention with the England v Colombia clash, the Great Yorkshire Fringe (which takes place in the county town later this month) hosts a talent-packed launch gala at the Leicester Square Theatre, with a line-up that includes Craig Campbell, Mitch Benn, Paul Foot, Paul Sinha and Tony Slattery. From 7pm.

LONDON: There’s another great bill to lure you away from the footie at the Brew Club in Clapton, including manically inventive Adam Hess, skilled impressionist Luke Kempner, smart and wry Tom Rosenthal and power performer Naz Osmanoglu.

Thursday July 5

LONDON: The latest in the Battersea Arts Centre’s Stand Up Under The Stars season features the unique poetry of Tim Key, languid country music from Wilson Dixon, character work from Lolly Adefope (who’s just landed a role in a major US comedy) and stand-up from droll Sarah Keyworth and livewire Tom Parry.

LONDON: It’s only right that Joseph Morpurgo’s Hammerhead - about the overambitious pretentious of a very earnest performer - should end up at the South Bank Centre. He plays the Purcell Rooms within the arts complex at 7.30pm.

Friday July 6

LONDON: Bush Hall comedy gigs always have a top-drawer line-up, and tonight’s is no exception with Fin Taylor, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Reginald D Hunter.

• Search our full listings for comedy near you using the pull-down menus on the left of this page.

Published: 1 Jul 2018