The best of the week's live comedy

The best of the week's live comedy, picked from the 6,258 events Chortle currently has listed. Use our search panel to check our full listings by date and region.

Monday December 2

LONDON: A strong line-up for a fundraiser at Leicester Square Theatre tonight in aid of f Women and Children First features Jenny Eclair, Nish Kumar, Mark Watson, Amy Gledhill, Lorna Rose Treen, Vix Leyton and Michelle De Swarte, Nish Kumar. It's waiting-list only for tickets now.

LONDON: Controversial Dave Chappelle plays two London dates with rapper Killer Mike – entitled Still Talkin That Sh*t! – at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith tonight and Fairfield Halls on Wednesday. Killer Mike, who first came to prominence through collaborations with Outkast, has won three Grammy awards and is known for his social and political activism, especially on social inequality, police brutality, and systemic racism.

Tuesday December 3

LONDON: Stewart Lee kicks off his new tour, Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf, in his now-traditional way, with a long residency at Leicester Square Theatre, this one running to January 17. In this new show, Lee shares his stage with Louie 'The Loop' Garou, a tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of North America who hates humanity. The Man-Wulf lays down a ferocious comedy challenge to the culturally irrelevant and physically enfeebled Lee.

MANCHESTER: The Frog & Bucket hosts an outlier first gig in Dan Tiernan's Stomp tour – the rest of which takes place in February and March next year. His second show of high-energy chaos focusses on gout, gay-awakenings and his one-time ambition to become a stage magician. Saying he is 'really proud' of the show, Tiernan adds: 'Touring my own show was always the dream when I started comedy, so I can't wait to take the show to all my favourite venues.' Dan​Tiernan tour dates.

Wednesday December 4

LONDON: Chris Cantrill has a short run at the Soho Theatre of his award-nominated show about loneliness and emotionally stifled male friendships, all under the cover of wildly funny first-hand anecdotes. Runs until Saturday.

Thursday December 5

LONDON: Adam Buxton reunites with Joe Cornish for a couple of special recordings of his podcast at the Southbank Centres' Royal Festival Hall. There are two shows at 7pm and 9.30pm

LONDON: Joel Kim Booster currently stars on the Apple TV+ series Loot playing Nicholas, Maya Rudolph’s quirky assistant, but he's also been seen and headr in Industry, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Shrill, Bob’s Burgers, Search Party, BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth and American Dad as well as his own romcom Fire Island and 2022 Netflix special Psychosexual. He's at Leicester Square Theatre tonight with his latest show, Rude Little Pig.

LONDON: Aisling Bea heads a fund-and-foodraiser for the capital's food banks at Theatre Royal Stratford East. And there's a solid supporting bill, too, courtesey of Kemah Bob, Amy Gledhill, Amy Annette, and Jo Da Costa. GOUROCK: Canadian wildman of comdedy Craig Campbell kicks off a tour of (mostly) small towns across Scotland, as rugged and windswept as he is… Craig Campbell tour dates.

HITCHEN: Harry Hill brings his silliness to Hitchin Town Hall, supported by the inventive Kevin Eldon who always delivers an impressive comedy performance.

Friday December 6

LONDON: Foxdog Studios present a festive edition of their show Robo Bingo, combining cutting-edge technology, much silliness – and bingo your nana would barely recognise.

COLCHESTER: An excellent line-up at Charter Hall boasts Sara Pascoe, Mike Wozniak, Janine Harouni and Jen Brister. Much of the same line-up is at the Ipswich Corn Exchange tomorrow, but with Ivo Graham replacing Brister.

Saturday December 7

LONDON: A low-key delight from last year's Fringe, Caitriona Dowden is Holier Than Thou draws on the comic's degrees in religious and medieval studies and is delightfully nerdy, though accessibly so, as she tries to get canonised. It's at the Museum of Comedy at 7pm. Review

LONDON: The latest big gig at Islington's Union Chapel features poet extraordinaire Tim Key, sharp and sarcastic Bridget Christie, over-sharer Amy Gledhill, and the dry wit of Kerry Godliman.

NEW MILLS: Peak comedy in the Peak District as brings visual pun idiots The Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue, the ultra-relatable Scott Bennett, the well-established Dave Twentyman and livewire newcomer Maxine Wade to the New Mills Art Theatre.

Published: 1 Dec 2024