The best of the week's live comedy

The week's best live comedy.

Sunday May 5

MANCHESTER: The bank holiday means there's an extra show at the Comedy Store tonight – and it's a pretty good one too, with circuit faves Adam Rowe, Carey Marx and Rob Rouse on the bill.

Monday May 6

LONDON: Veteran South African comedian Pieter-Dirk Uys starts a three-week run at the Soho theatre with his show, When In Doubt Say Darling. It asks: 'In this era of #MeToo and political correctness, can calling someone ‘darling’ be seen as sexual harassment? Should an actor who is not black impersonate a character who is not white? Is a male performer allowed to dress up as a woman?' That last question is especially pertinent as he's probably best know for his alter ego Evita Bezuidenhout, a white Afrikaner socialite and self-proclaimed political activist inspired by Dame Edna Everage.

Tuesday May 7

LONDON: There are invaluable tips for anyone wanting to get a TV script or a podcast off the ground in the first two Chortle sessions at the Museum of Comedy tonight. First producer and writer extraordinaire Henry Normal shares all his dos and don'ts for TV writing, as well as answering all your questions, then a panel of podcast experts reveal how to make – and very importantly promote – a show that stands out it a very crowded market. Tickets.

READING: The Hexagon hosts the Big Comedy Bash, a fundraiser for the Slapstick festival, the UK's biggest celebration of vintage screen comedy, which takes place every year down the M4 in Bristol. The big names are Jo Brand, Rory Bremner and Rob Brydon – backed by a strong supporting bill.

Wednesday May 8

CHELMSFORD: Just what we need! A pig-headed little Englander touring the country say why everything that's wrong is someone else's fault... In good time for the European elections, should we not have Brexited in the next couple of weeks, pub guv'nor Al Murray kicks off his tragically relevant new tour,  Landlord of Hope and Glory at the Civic Theatre. Dates

Thursday May 9

LONDON: Romesh Ranganathan joins Taskmaster Greg Davies and one of his new Series 8 contestants, Lou Sanders, for an ace show at the Union Chapel in Islington tonight. Tickets.

LONDON: Or for a more intimate gig, head east to the  Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, where Harry Hill is doing a low-key appearance at the Green Milk comedy night alongside smart and provocative Fin Taylor and entertainingly oddball Lucy Pearman, among others

Friday May 10

BLACKPOOL: Manford's Comedy Club is running an A-list heavy weekend Comedy Festival at the Winter Gardens, kicking off with Jason Manford himself introducing David O’Doherty, Jo Caulfield and Sean Lock. Tomorrow John Bishop hosts Mick Miller, Milton Jones, Angela Barnes and Adam Hills; and there are late shows featuring circuit stalwarts each night too. Tickets for tonight.

FAREHAM: Chris McCausland, who you might have caught on  Live at the Apollo if not on the circuit, kicks off a new tour in which he talks about being blind, being a parent and being a husband. Dates,

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Published: 5 May 2019