This week's best live comedy

The week ahead in live comedy.

Sunday 17 September

LONDON: The Objectively Funny festival, which is cramming in an impressive 42 Edinburgh shows over its nine days, enjoys its second day at The Albany in central London, with a line-up that includes former Chortle Student Comedy Award winner Andy Field, Viceland TV star Harriet Kemsley and Comedians' Comedian podcaster, Stuart Goldsmith, among others.

LIVERPOOL: Super-charming Joe Lycett, wordplay maestro Gary Delaney, rising star Kiri Pritchard-McLean, mischief-making TanyaLee Davis and MC Lou Conran. This strong line-up at the Epstein Theatre is repeated tomorrow, too, but with Danny McLoughlin in place of Delaney.

Monday 18 September

LONDON: It's an embarrassment of riches at the Shepherds Bush Empire, with seven acts who could each fill it twice over on their own: Frank Skinner, Harry Hill, Jimmy Carr, Katherine Ryan, Michael McIntyre, Russell Kane and Tommy Tiernan. It is, of course, a charity night, in aid of Young Minds and the Heads Together campaign on mental health spearheaded by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

LONDON: Hill will be doubling up at another benefit at the Union Chapel in Islington to raise funds to combat FGM. Also on the bill are Sue Perkins, Stewart Lee, Bridget Christie, Jo Brand, Mark Thomas, Shazia Mirza, and Athena Kugblenu.

LONDON: Mae Martin begins a two-week run of her Edinburgh Comedy Award nominate show Dope at the Soho Theatre ahead of a national tour. It's a dramatic and funny coming-of-age show about her early days on the Canadian comedy scene. Review and dates

CHELTENHAM:It's not one of the UK's biggest comedy festival, but the six-day Cheltenham event has attracted some big names, starting tonight with Dead Ringers impressionist Jan Ravens, and Sarah Millican, who is in town for a recording of her Standard Issue podcast. Alan Davies, Lee Nelson and Tom Stade are among the other acts playing over the week.

Tuesday 19 September

LONDON: The Bill Murray hosts the first Lemon Comedy night, which seeks to put diversity at the heart of its line-ups. Clued-up Nish Kumar lead a bill that also includes Fern Brady, Lauren Pattison, Lost Voice Guy, Nish Kumar and Holly Burn.

CORK: After several supposed 'warm-up' dates - even though tickets were priced upwards of £30! - John Bishop starts his new tour, Winging It, with a run of smaller Irish dates before he starts hitting the arenas. The full schedule is here

Wednesday September 20

CHELTENHAM:Part science, part comedy, the Festival of the Spoken Nerd trip of stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, TV experiments maestro Steve Mould and geek songstress Helen Arney, kick off their latest tour You Can't Polish A Nerd at the Cheltenham Comedy Festival. Here are the full dates.

Thursday 21 September

BATH: With her career kicking into the premiere division, charmingly acidic Katherine Ryan starts her new Glitter Room tour in the Komedia. Schedule

Friday 22 September

LONDON: Simon Amstell kicks off his new tour, billed as a 'deeply personal, funny exploration of beauty, intimacy, freedom, sex and love' at the Leicester Square Theatre. What Is This? will keep him busy at least until the end of November (Dates) while he also promotes his new book, Help, which was published yesterday.  (Buy)

LONDON: Out West, Bush Hall boasts an eclectic bill comprising provocateur Fin Taylor, delightful storyteller Lauren Pattison, compelling comic philosopher Reginald D Hunter, and playfully satirical Nish Kumar.

RICHMOND:  The Punfinder General hits the road with his new tour, titled with typical dual meaning, Milton Jones Is Out There. It which runs right through to April and all the dates are here.

Published: 17 Sep 2017