The week's best live comedy

The best of the week’s live comedy. These are socially-distanced indoor and outdoor gigs. Check with venues about party size restrictions. Most shows require advance booking.

Sunday September 13

BRIGHTON: Sketch duo Siblings - Ruby Wax’s daughters Maddy and Marina Bye - host a night with their friends at the Warren’s outdoor venue next to Brighton Pier. Those chums comprise Edinburgh award-winner Jordan Brookes, comically intense Helen Bauer, offbeat musical comic Huge Davies, and absurdist Josh Glanc.

Monday September 13

MANCHESTER: The Frog And Bucket is back! The venue was the first to open its doors with a pilot socially distanced gig at the height of the national lockdown – but had to put its permanent plans on hold after the North West was subject to local measures. But it opened the doors this weekend and is now back with Beat The Frog, its new act challenge, on Mondays; weekend shows Thursdays to Saturdays (though this weekend's lineup has not yet been announced); plus some touring dates.

LONDON: There’s a fine bill at the Bussey Rooftop Bar in increasingly hip Peckham, with Aisling Bea, Felicity Ward and Sophie Duker doing the funny business.

Thursday September 17

WARWICK: We’re certainly getting a plusher brand of comedy venue out of Covid. Today Warwick Castle, one of the leading historical tourist attractions in the country, starts a series of Picnic At The Castle outdoor gigs, with Alison Spittle, Carl Donnelly, Flo and Joan, Jacob Hawley and Thanyia Moore on the bill. Show two is on Sunday with Michael Odewale, Olga Koch, Phil Wang and Jenny Bede

LONDON:Phil Wang and Colin Hoult’s effusively theatrical grande dame of the stage, Anna Mann, are the big draws at Soho21, the capital’s latest comedy club which had the misfortune of having its planned opening mid-pandemic…

Saturday September 19

LONDON:A nother well-established venue reopens its doors to a limited, socially distanced audience. The marvellous middle-class observations of Hal Cruttenden headlines the first weekend gig back for The Boat Show on the Tattershall Castle steamer moored next to Embankment station. Assured support comes from Sindhu Vee with gregarious Rich Wilson hosting.

LONDON: The O2 might not be able to operate an arena at the moment, but Suzi Ruffell is to become the first comedian to play ON the landmark, with very limited audiences being treated to her stand-up after taking the walk up the familiar dome. There are still slots available.

Published: 13 Sep 2020