The week's best live stand-up... yes it's back!

It's been a while since we've run this once-regular column, but with smatterings of outdoor, socially distanced comedy gigs tentatively returning to England, at least, here's our guide to the best live comedy of the week. Use the blue panel on every page to search our full listings database, which also includes online gigs

Tuesday July 21

BRISTOL: The first venue to dabble in outside gigs, Lakota, continues its weekly show tonight with arch stand-up Stephen Bailey and pun-slinger Mark Simmons on the bill.

Thursday July 23

BLENHEIM PALACE: Quite the setting for a comedy gig! Churchill's birthplace is the backdrop for a socially distanced show featuring Ivo Graham (pictured, an Old Etonian just like the wartime Prime Minister), intelligent comic Ken Cheng, with American Janine Harouni, Ben Pope and duo Britney. Tickets are £60 for two, but that does include a food hamper. Buy

Friday July 24

LONDON: What’s believed to be the first outdoor gig in London will take place this Friday, with Ivo Graham (again!), Helen Bauer, Hal Cruttenden and MC Matt Richardson playing the tea lawn of Lauderdale House, a building in Highgate dating back to Tudor times. Tickets are available here.

WARWICK: Mark Watson's Carpool Comedy Club drive-in reaches the West Midlands, headlined by Mock The Week regular Ed Byrne tonight and charming, if sometime pointed, musical duo Flo and Joan tomorrow.

Published: 19 Jul 2020