The week's best live comedy

The best of the week’s live comedy. These are socially distanced or outdoor gigs. So check with venues about party size restrictions and any other requirements. Most shows require advance booking. Use this site’s search panel to check out our full listings of more than 6,000 events by date and region.

Sunday July 4

DERBY: This year’s Edinburgh Fringe might not be like any we’ve seen before, but there is still a full day of previews at Bar One today, kicking off at 2pm and featuring the likes of Mock The Week’s Glenn Moore, the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre and Scott Bennett, emerging from the shed where he’s been hosting gigs in lockdown.

LONDON: It’s a shame the forecast is for rain as Aisling Bea appears at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre with a mix of old and new material tonight, joined by Nish Kumar and Fatiha El-Ghorri.

Monday July 5

BRISTOL: Russell Howard begins a string of hometown gigs in Ashton Gate football stadium… a massive venue that was chosen after social distancing meant he’d never get all his fans into the Hippodrome theatre, as planned. The good news is that means there are plenty more tickets available here

Wednesday July 7

LONDON: Objectively Funny Comedy stages another of its impressive outdoor shows at Signature Brew in Walthamstow, with a top-notch line-up of Ed Gamble, Ed Night, Sindhu Vee, Toussaint Douglass and Chloe Petts. Tickets here

Thursday July 8

LONDON: Country Mile comedy club invariably has a packed bill of great comedians at The Star Of Kings in Kings Cross … and tonight is no exception with Flo and Joan, Ivo Graham, Jen Ives, Joe Thomas, Michael Odewale, Stephen Bailey, Stevie Martin, Thanyia Moore and more.

HALIFAX: Hal Cruttenden conjures up images from middle-class life, while Mandy Muden does some real-life conjuring in an attractive bill being served up at the Victoria Theatre.

BRIGHTON: The city’s Fringe festival is winding down this weekend, but tonight you can savour some fine stand-up from Larry Dean, Phil Nichol and Stephen Grant at The Warren’s late show.

Friday July 9

HUNTINGDON: It would be easier to list which comics AREN’T appearing at the Cambridge Comedy Festival - a three-day, multi-stage outdoor extravaganza, with camping, which kicks off tonight. The 150 acts taking part include, Dara O Briain, Al Murray, Milton Jones, Tom Allen and Nina Conti etc, etc. Day and weekend tickets here.

WALSALL: Bill Bailey may be playing the Royal Opera House in London next month, but here’s a chance to see him topping the bill in the more intimate atmosphere of the Walsall Arena and Arts Centre. Tickets

Saturday July 10

LONDON: The Comeback, The stage show from The Pin – Ben Ashenden and Alex Owen – returns to the West End after its original run in December was so rudely interrupted by the latest Covid lockdown just a few days in. The show revolves around up-and-coming comics Alex and Ben, who have been booked in the warm-up spot for a beloved but fading double act’s comeback tour, and spot their chance to eclipse the old-school pair. Read our original four-star review here. Ashenden and Owen have been nominated for a Times Breakthrough Award as part of the South Bank Sky Arts Awards for this play, and their work with online sketches during lockdown. Get tickets for The Comeback here.

BIRMINGHAM: Jason Manford is the big-name draw at the Just The Tonic gig at the Hippodrome tonight, but there’s a delightful and very experienced supporting bill, too, comprising Adam Bloom, Micky P Kerr and Jo Enright.

GUILDFORD: As part of the Guildford Fringe, Marcel Lucont presents a ‘best of’ show, highlighting the peak of disdain from a long career of being a professional Frenchman. He’s at the Star Inn at 9pm.

Published: 4 Jul 2021