The week's best live comedy

The best of the week's live comedy, picked from the thousands of events Chortle currently has listed. Use our search panel to check our full listings by date and region.

Tuesday August 29

LONDON: Over 38 years, Brad Upton has forged a successful career based on his proudly family-friendly content with no swearing, 'smutty content' or offensive material. With more than 250 million views on YouTube, the American is now playing his first UK date, in the modest confines of the Museum Of Comedy.

Friday September 1

SOUTHEND: Markus Birdman kicks off his first tour since making the Britain's Got Talent semi-finals with a hometown gig. As seen on ITV, the stand-up gets much of his comedy from the two strokes he has suffered, costing him half his eyesight and meaning he now has a platinum heart, which gives this tour its name. He's said: 'I’m excited to get out on the road on tour to bring joy to the masses and also to raise a little stroke awareness. Not for your pity, more for your awe and admiration (and cash!)' Markus Birdman tour dates.

BEDFORD: Also kicking off his tour today, fresh from his Edinburgh Fringe run, is Ed Byrne, whose show Tragedy Plus Time comes from the heartbreaking death of his brother, comedy director Paul, in 2022. Ed Byrne tour dates

GREAT TORRINGTON: At the Plough Arts Centre, John Kearns resumes the tour of his show The Varnishing Days, a hilarious study of the place of the artist, him, in a mainstream world. John Kearns tour dates.

BIRMINGHAM:There's a fine bill at the Glee Club tonight with overthinker Adam Bloom, darkly insightful Michael Fabbri, entertaining Daisy Earl and local hero Andy Robinson.

LONDON:  New York-based Nimesh Patel, the first Indian-American writer on Saturday Night Live, brings his Fast & Loose Tour to the UK, with a show at the Hackney Empire

LONDON: Disability arts festival Liberty comes to Croydon this weekend, including an opening night comedy showcase at Fairfield Halls tonight with Francesca Martinez, Aaron Simmonds, Steve Day and Variety D.

DUBLIN: Explosively angry US comedian Lewis Black rages against the state of the world at The Liberty Hall Theatre. He's also at the Roisin Dubh in Galway on the 10th of this month.

Saturday September 2

LONDON: The dependably top-notch Live At The Union Chapel is back in Islington with Simon Amstell and Rosie Jones ably supported by Chloe Petts, Josh Jones and Kemah Bob,

Published: 27 Aug 2023