The week's best live comedy

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

Sunday May 25

BRIGHTON: It's the final week of the city's sprawling Fringe Festival. Today, why not try inventive double act Pear, (Rotunda Theatre, 8.15pm) a work-in-progress from inventive character comedian Lorna Rose Treen (SpiegelGardens, 8pm) or Shaggers, the mixed-bill stand-up show all about sex (Laughing Horse @ The Quardant, 9.45pm)?

Wednesday May 28

NOTTINGHAM: The master impressionist returns with a new tour that combines his satirical stand-up and mimicry with conversation conducted by a rotating cast of special guest hosts. On opening night at the Playhouse today it's Rob Rouse, with Fred MacAulay, Jan Ravens and Miles Jupp taking the role elsewhere. Rory Bremner tour dates.

EDINBURGH: Los Angeles based comic Morgan Jay plays two nights at The Queens Hall as part of a UK and Ireland tour of his stand-up show The Goofy Guy that also takes in Dublin, Manchester, Bristol and both the Southbank Centre and Eventim Apollo in London. He came to prominence on social media with musical tracks that often featured Auto-Tune, while his live gigs also make liberal use of improvisation.

LONDON: American comic John Early, who starred in the TV series Search Party, as well as a slew of guest appearances in everything from 30 Rock to I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, comes to Soho Theatre's gorgeous new Walthamstow outpost for two nights of his new show The Album Tour.

Friday May 30

NOTTINGHAM: Another tour kicks off in the city today: Flight Of The Conchords and Our Flag Means Death star Rhys Darby is back on the road for the first tine in almost a decade with a new physical stand-up show, The Legend Returns. The premise is that in the face of advancing AI, 'a touch of very human silliness is more important than ever'. Rhys Darby tour dates.

LONDON: There's a packed bill at Friday Night Funnies Go Large, a supersized version of the regular gig in Southgate's Chickenshed Theatre. The line-up includes Lateef Lovejoy, President Obonjo, Sol Bernstein, Aurie Styla, Samantha Day and more.

LONDON: Back at Soho Walthamstow for their first Neon Nights mixed-bill stand-up nights… and what a bill! Familiar faces Rosie Jones, Sara Pascoe, Thanyia Moore, Larry Dean, Tom Davis and Janine Harouni bring the guaranteed LOLs.

STAMFORD: Satirical comedy from Angela Barnes and Simon Evans is tempered by the silly musical stylings of Jonny Awsum at the Corn Exchange tonight.

Saturday May 31

DROITWICH: A week-long comedy festival in honour of Rik Mayall, in the town he grew up, kicks off today. There are Rik-related events including Mitch Benn and Ronnie Golden presenting songs from the Rik Mayall songbook, John Lloyd and Jaspar Shelbourn talking about what it was like to direct the mercurial comedy genius and a free pop-up museum showcasing his career, curated by photographer Andy Hollingworth. There are also appearances from Young Ones writer Ben Elton, Helen Lederer, who had a memorable guest role in Bottom, and Greg Davies, who worked with Rik on Man Down. Plus unrelated stand-up shows from the likes of Tiff Stevenson, Shaparak Khorsandi and Scott Bennett. Website 

Published: 25 May 2025