The comedy week ahead

The comedy week ahead.

Saturday August 2

LIVE IN LONDON: The Phoenix Fringe might take place in a pub basement (the home of the Old Rope new material nights), but it boasts among its line-up acts who can fill some of Britain’s biggest theatres, such as Lee Nelson, Ed Byrne, Frankie Boyle and Al Murray - as well as a whole host of circuit acts. Line-up

LIVE IN LONDON: There’s also a strong line-up at The Boat Show, the comedy club on the Tattershall Castle moored at Embankment in the shadow of the London Eye. Posh-boy problems with Hal Cruttenden and the power-packed musical comedy of Topping & Butch are among the highlights.

LIVE IN NORWICH: Jon Richardson starts a 42-date autumn extension of his Nidiot tour at the Theatre Royal. Dates

Monday August 4

TV: Conan O'Brien's US talk show is to air in the UK for the first time tonight, on the brand-new Freeview channel truTV. Conan will air nightly at 11pm on Mondays through Thursdays on the station, which will otherwise focus on reality TV.

NEWS Entries open today for the £2,000 Hobgoblin Comedy Award. Submit videos here

Thursday August 7

BOOK Comedy favourite Kevin Eldon has written a biography of his, erm, cousin, Paul Hamilton, the cult poetry behemoth , which is released in hardback today. Pre-order

LIVE IN MATLOCK: This Derbyshire outpost of the Manfords Comedy Club empire tonight welcomes the endearing charm of Elis James, punchy Canadian Dana Alexander and the inane silliness of the Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue.

Published: 2 Aug 2014