The week's best live comedy

The best of the week’s live comedy.

Sunday March 1

DURHAM: Chortle’s student comedy competition continues to showcase the best young stand-ups, with a heat tonight in Durham Students Union, followed by the Engine Shed in Lincoln tomorrow; Bristol Students’ Union at UWE on Wednesday and Revolution in Cardiff on Thursday. Busy week – and all gigs are open to the public.

Tuesday March 3

BIRMINGHAM: The brilliant Tommy Tiernan hits the road again for a new string of UK dates, starting at Birmingham Town Hall. In the new show, Tomfoolery, he promises musings on ‘God, sex and family’ - the usual, in other words - but with his unique blend of passion and playfulness.Dates

Thursday March 5

LONDON: It’s International Women’s Day on Sunday, where clubs break their usual booking practice and offer all-female line-ups. As if they only did all-male bills on International Men’s Day! (Which is November 19, as Richard Herring will tell you). At the London Comedy Store, the weekend kicks off with the winningly cynical Sally-Anne Hayward compering Judi Love, Allyson June Smith, Jo Caulfield and Tania Edwards.

Friday March 6

BRIGHTON: Continuing the International Women’s Day policy, the Komedia offers an excellent line-up of  Luisa Omielan, Sarah Callaghan, Vikki Stone and Laura Lexx across the weekend – a fine bill by any measure.

LONDON: Long sold out, but Michael McIntyre tapes his Netflix special at the London Palladium tonight.

TWICKENHAM: Master storyteller Henry Paker and inventive alternative act John Kearns are treats at the Funpackers gig at The Cabbage Patch.  There’s a full supporting line-up too.

Saturday March 7

LONDON: An unbeatable bill at the Union Chapel in Islington offers all the comedy you could possibly want from a night out with the funny and creative quartet of absurdist-with-a-cause Bridget Christie, charming Isy Suttie, tack-sharp Rhys James and the brilliantly underplayed Tim Key.

CHELMSFORD: But if you’re in Essex, the Civic Theatres offers a fantastic bill of names you’ll have seen and enjoyed from the telly: Ed Gamble, Fin Taylor, Ivo Graham and Kiri Pritchard-McLean,   WINCHESTER: The classy observational middle-classy comedy of  Hal Cruttenden combines with the lively improvised shenanigans of upbeat quartet The Noise Next Door for a top-quality night at the Theatre Royal.  

Published: 1 Mar 2020