The week's best live comedy

The best of the week's live comedy, picked from the 6,671 events Chortle currently has listed. Use our search panel to check our full listings by date and region.

Sunday December 15

EDINBURGH: The touring Live At Christmas gigs – headlined by Sara Pascoe and featuring a top-flight supporting line-up – comes to The Queen's Hall. It's at the Glasgow O2 Academy tomorrow, Lincoln Engine Shed on Tuesday, Nottingham Concert Hall on Wednesday, Manchester Albert Hall on Thursday, Bath Forum on Friday and wining up at Cambridge Corn Exchange on Saturday. Sara ​Pascoe tour dates

EDINBURGH: There's a full day of comedy at the Frankenstein pub, culminating in Frankie Sanazi's Secret White Christmas Show at 8pm. If you don't know, it's Rat Pat songs does by a Hitler impersonator, as cheerily bad taste as it sounds. Before that, circuit favourite Jo Caulfield's Celebration Of Anger is at 5pm and Sol Bernstein, an old-school Jewish comic straight from the Catskills mountains, at 6pm.

Monday December 16

LONDON: Nish Kumar, Rob Delaney, Mark Thomas, Esther Manito and Imran Yusuf perform a benefit for Medical Aid for Palestinians. The evening includes stories and comedy from some who’ve been to the West Bank and witnessed the situation first-hand.

Tuesday December 17

LONDON: The UK's top improv troupe, the Comedy Store Players, play a one-off in the hugely atmospheric Shakespeare Globe theatre tonight. Taking place in the made-up games are Ruth Bratt, Steve Edis, Monica Gaga, Josie Lawrence, Neil Mullarkey, Lee Simpson and Richard Vranch.

LONDON: Nick Helm, 'the human car crash of light entertainment' is hosting his ninth Christmas F*ck Fest at the Pleasance in Islington, in aid of Shelter and Mind.

LONDON: After his residency gig at Leicester Square Theatre, Stewart Lee makes the short journey to appear in Phil Nichol's always entertaining Cray Cray Cabaret at the Comedy Store. And with Jen Brister, Jazz Emu and David Tims and his Big-Ish Band on the bill, it should be a night to remember.

LONDON: We've had Mr Swallow, Count Arthur Strong and Shit-Faced Showtime's version of A Chrismas Carol… now an ensemble of alternative comedians imagine an alternative narrative. What if the ghosts had failed? What if Tiny Tim had died? Those taking part in Scrooge Learnt Nothing at Camden Comedy Club include Alexander Bennett, Andrew O'Neill, Bec Hill and John-Luke Roberts.

FARSLEY: The Old Woollen in the Leeds suburb plays hosts to a benefit for Cash For Kids, at which audience members must bring one or more unwrapped Christmas gift to donate to the charity. The line-up comprises Colin Manford, Jack Carroll, Jack Gleadow, Martin Mor, Nina Gilligan, Dawn Bailey, Pete Selwood, Howard Walker

Wednesday December 18

EXETER: Not many school fundraisers boast a line-up like the one at Phoenix Arts Centre tonight, put together by comic and director Tom Parry in aid of The Heavitree Community Pre-school. Daniel Kitson introduces, Mike Bubbins, Mike Wozniak, Will Adamsdale, Amy Mason, Mel Owen and Gavin Osborn.

Thursday December 19

SHEFFIELD: Edinburgh best newcomer Joe Kent-Walters plays a Last Laugh spin-off gig at The Greystones. His alter-ego, Frankie Monroe, runs a working men's club (and portal to hell) which is probably the perfect setting for his variety-forward co-star tonight, Jack Gleadow.

STIRLING: Gary Faulds joins the Weegie Hink Ae That? sketch group for their pantomime – described as 'whackier, funnier and Ruder' than normal - at the Albert Hall tonight. They are then at the Oran Mor in their Glasgow hometown for the next three nights, and Howden Park in Livingston on the 28th.

Friday December 20

LONDON: Expect chaos as the Weirdos comedy collective stage their first panto in five years at the Bloomsbury Theatre tonight. The Christmas Space Race stars more than 20 stalwarts of the alternative comedy and tells of a gang of heroes trying to get to space before a bunch of billionaires led by Elon Musk. The cast includes Sam Nicoresti, Michael Brunström, Lucy Pearman, Christian Brighty, Bec Hill and Mark Silcox and, as usual, is written and directed by Adam Larter. Tickets, available here are £13 and £15, with all proceeds going to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

Saturday December 21

LONDON: Aisling Bea is again hosting a food drive for Hackney Foodbank at the Bill Murray in Islington this afternoon with celebrity Santas, mulled wine and the singing of festive songs. Donations of cash or food are sought – with a list of suitable items here, where you can also mark your attendance.Tomorrow, she headlines two fundraisers at EartH in Hackney, also raising money for the cause. She’ll be joined by Sara Pascoe (matinee), Katherine Ryan (evening show), Nish Kumar and host Barry Ferns.

Published: 15 Dec 2024