Dead Ringers head the pick of the week's live comedy

The week's best live comedy.

Sunday May 12

MANCHESTER: Comedians from all over the North West and beyond are taking part in the Great Mirth Run - a ten-hour spectacular at the TriBeCa Bar kicking off at 1pm. Proceeds go to Barnardo's. Tickets

LONDON: Mock The Week regular Ed Gamble is recording a new stand-up special over two gigs at the Leicester Square Theatre. No news yet on how it'll be distributed, but you could be able to glimpse yourself in the audience... Tickets.

NOTTINGHAM: He might have a little more than normal to say for himself tonight, as Danny Baker continues his Good Time Charlie's Back tour at the Theatre Royal. All dates.

Monday May 13

LONDON: It's the first of two semi-finals in this year's Chortle Student Comedy Award (the next is the same time next week). After touring the country's unis for the next wave of new talent, we're down to the cream. Tonight's acts are Joey Abels, Gabriel Robinson, Eddie FJ, Rahul Somia, Calum Walker, Adam Bumstead, Rosa Handscombe, Robert Preston, Finlay Christie, Erika Eher, Freya Mallard, Mamoun Elagab, Adam Al-Janabi - all hosted by Sally-Anne Hayward. Tickets.

LONDON: Laugh Out London boasts a very strong bill in Islington with punster Glenn Moore, the personal comedy of Laura Lexx, dryly sarcastic Phil Wang, Edinburgh newcomer nominee Sarah Keyworth, and the inventive and thought-provoking Aussie Laura Davis.

LONDON: Keyworth and Lexx both double up with the Cracking Comedy benefit at the Leicester Square Theatre in aid of Women and Children. Bec Hill, Dane Baptiste, Flo and Joan, Jess Robinson, John Robins, Josh Widdicombe and Kerry Godliman also grace the top-notch bill. Tickets.

Wednesday May 15

LONDON: Another episode of the excellent panel show podcast Do The Right Thing is being recorded at The Phoenix, off Oxford Circus. As always creator Danielle Ward is in the chair, with Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Michael Legge the team captains.

LONDON: Tonight is the final of the Not-So-New Comedian Of The Year - the competition previously known as Old Comedian Of The Year until it was deemed to be too off-putting for contestants. Vying for the title at the Leicester Square Theatre are Arielle Souma, David Mills, Davina Bentley, Declan Kennedy, Emily McQuade, Gatis Kandis, Graeme Collard, Lolly Jones, Nick Horseman, Pete White, Russell Arathoon and Sean Craig Turner. Tickets

Thursday May 16

LONDON: Radio 4 impressions show Dead Ringers moves from the studio to the stage for the first time, with Jon Culshaw, Lewis MacLeod, Jan Ravens and Duncan Wisbey playing the first of five gigs at the Barbican. But the show, presented like a recording with the cast reading scrips, is not cheap with top-price tickets at £49.50.

MANCHESTER: A strong weekend at the Comedy Store kicks off with whip-smart Adam Bloom, waspish Scott Capurro and charming storyteller Ian Coppinger. They are joined by Jenny Collier, Rob Deering on Friday and Saturday.

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Published: 12 May 2019