Mike Wozniak talks about a bench...

The best of the week's live comedy

The best of the week's live comedy, picked from the 6,737 events Chortle currently has listed. Use our search panel to check our full listings by date and region.

Sunday January 18

EDINBURGH: Enjoying a post-Taskmaster career resurgence, comedian and Three Bean Salad podcaster Mike Wozniak starts his new tour The Bench at the Lyceum. It promises 'stand-up in which a story about a bench will be prominent. Previous experience of or strong opinions about benches not required'. Mike Wozniak tour dates.

MANCHESTER: A benefit at the Frog And Bucket is raising funds for the Islamic Help Charity to support their life-saving projects in Gaza. Kicking off at 6pm,it features Omar Badawy, Muhsin Yesilada, Salman Malik, Farhan Solo and Faizan Shah

Monday January 19

LONDON: Pierre Novellie's finely crafted stand-up show You Sit There, I’ll Stand Here begins its UK tour with a 12-night stint at the Soho Theatre – his ninth run at the prestigious show. His tour coincides with his first Radio 4 series Why In the Name of Pierre Novellie, which us airing now (review). Pierre Novellie tour dates and live show review

LONDON: Phil Nichol's Cray Cray Cabaret returns to the Comedy Store with varied entertainment from Abandoman, Sikisa and Elf Lyons plus music from David Tims and his Big-Ish Band. Tickets.

Wednesday January 21

BRISTOL: High-intensity Dan Tiernan begins a tour of his latest show, All In, at the Gaffe comedy club tonight. We gave this dizzying display of splenetic fury four-and-a-half stars in our review at last year's Edinburgh Fringe, so it definitely comes recommended. Dan Tiernan tour dates.

LONDON: Jessica Barton's highly entertaining audience participation show Dirty Work – loosely based on Mary Poppins while slyly referencing some deeper issues – begins a four-night run at the Soho Theatre. Review.

Thursday January 22

NORWICH:Two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Janine Harouni returns with a new stand-up hour on family, parenting and marriage, which starts its UK tour at the Norwich Playhouse. Janine Harouni tour dates.

LONDON: Absurdist American comic Kate Berlant brings her latest high-concept show to the Soho Theatre in Walthamstow for two nights – having previously brought her acclaimed show Kate (as directed by Bo Burnham) to the original Central London venue. The Guardian, no less, have called her 'One of comedy’s most electrifying, distinctive talents'.

Friday January 23

LEEDS: Musical comedian Anna Hale tells how she's the titular Control Freak in her debut show – though it soon becomes clear that's a coping mechanism to overcome her debilitating fear of vomiting, which led to anxiety and isolation. Review She embarks on her first tour at the Hyde Park Book club today. Anna Hale tour dates.