The best of the week's live comedy

The best of the week’s live comedy. These are socially-distanced or outdoor gigs. So check with venues about party size restrictions and any other requirements. Most shows require advance booking. Use this site’s search panel to check out our full listings of more than 6,000 events by date and region.

Sunday May 30

WEYMOUTH: Nina Conti headlines the first in a series of monthly Sunday-night comedy gigs at the Pavilion, ably supported by Prince Abdi, Tom Glover and Tom Ward.

MILTON KEYNES: Performance powerhouse Jen Brister takes a funny and nuanced look at the notion of privilege in her solo show at the Stables tonight, ahead of a three-night run in London’s Soho Theatre from Tuesday.

Monday May 31

LONDON: The 100 Club, the Oxford Street venue that played host to all the punk greats back in the day, stages a week-long run of top-notch comedy gigs. Eleanor Tiernan and Phil Wang, pictured, play tonight, and others popping by over the week include Ed Gamble, Jayde Adams and Flo and Joan. Full listings and tickets.

OXFORD: The city’s castle, and former prison, also hosts a week-long comedy festival, kicking off with Ahir Shah tonight and featuring the likes of Mark Watson, Rosie Jones and Marcus Brigstocke in subsequent days. Schedule

BLACKPOOL: This probably wasn’t what Jongleurs founder Maria Kempinska envisaged when she set up her quirky alternative cabaret club all those years ago, But under the revived Jongleurs banner, old school comics Billy Pearce and Bobby Davro play the Blackpool Winter Gardens, hosted by former EastEnders and Extras star Shaun Williamson.

Wednesday June 2

BRISTOL: It’s the first night of the Comedy Garden festival, rejigged for the Covid era. The event has moved from its usual city centre home in Queen Gardens to the more open space of Durdham Downs on the outskirts of the city, with the audience seated outdoors (so wrap up, perhaps) in well-spaced groups of two or four. On the bill tonight are John Robins, Josh Widdicombe, Lou Sanders and Phil Wang. And click here for the rest of the impressive line-up.

Thursday June 3

LONDON: Some of the hottest comics around play the Country Mile Comedy Club at the Star of Kings tonight, including Lou Sanders, Mae Martin, Jack Barry, Janine Harouni and Ken Cheng. Plus they are raising money for food bank charity FareShare. What’s not to like?

Friday June 4

ST ALBANS: Dara O Briain and Felicity Ward join Mark Watson for another of his drive-in shows at the Hertfordshire Showground. There are two performances at 6pm and 9pm.

LONDON: Comedy and cocktails on a rooftop? Yes please… Sara Pascoe, Sean McLoughlin and Darren Harriott play the stylish Bussey Rooftop Bar in Peckham tonight.

Saturday June 5

MANCHESTER: Amy Gledhill, the stand-up and 50 per cent of the Delightful Sausage double act, launches a new club tonight, called A Lovely Time. Sunil Patel, Jonny Pelham and Jain Edward are on the first bill at the indie venue Grub.

LEICESTER: It’s the delayed final of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition, in which all competitors are put forward by comedy clubs around the country. In the running are Arielle Souma, Nina Gilligan Christian Jegard, Dan Tiernan, Hassan Dervish, Jessie Nixon, Joseph Emslie, and Liz Guterbock.

Published: 30 May 2021