The best of the week's live comedy

The best of the week's live comedy, picked from the 6,583 events Chortle currently has listed. Use our search panel to check our full listings by date and region.

Sunday February 1

EXETER: Friday Night Dinner and Plebs star Tom Rosenthal hits the road with his latest stand-up show, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am, mulling identity, fame and of course, the Arctic Monkeys, from whom he got the title. Tom Rosenthal tour dates

WATFORD: Jeff Innocent,Babatunde Aléshé, Kae Kurd, Laura Lexx and Stephen Bailey 'Bring The Laughter' (yes, that's the name of this show with a very strong line-up) to the Palace tonight. Tickets. Many of the comics double up in a sister gig at the Luton Hat Factory. Tickets

Monday February 2

LONDON: Up The Creek in Greenwich is hosting the first of four London showcases for Just For Laughs this week, as representatives from the Montreal comedy festival hit the UK to scout for talent for its prestigious New Faces show. Alumni include Kevin Hart, Ali Wong and Amy Schumer, so top-flight talent will be hoping to catch the right people's eyes. Tomorrow and Wednesday, the showcases move to The Boat Show –the comedy club on a paddle steamer moored by Embankment station – and on Thursday, they're at the Free Association in Southwark to look at character comedians.

LONDON: In 2024, John Tothill’s appendix burst on stage, but that did nothing to dent his joy for life and delicious hedonism, as explored in This Must Be Heaven, which takes up residency at the Soho Theatre for the week.

Tuesday February 3

DUBLIN: South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout starts a UK and Ireland tour of his new show, with material sparked by his recent divorce after less than two years of marriage. … Schalk Bezuidenhout tour dates.

COLCHESTER: Riding the crest of his stand-out Taskmaster appearance, the ridiculous Phil Ellis embarks on a UK tour of gags and silliness, starting at the Colchester Arts Centre Phil Ellis tour dates.

Wednesday February 4

LEICESTER: The city's annual comedy festival kicks off with around 700 shows across 76 venues, including competitions such as the UK Pun Championships and big-name acts such as Sir Stephen Fry (being interviewed by festival founder Geoff Rowe), Maisie Adams, Sara Pascoe, Chris McCausland, Paul Merton, Milton Jones and Sue Perkins… plus loads of works in progress from up-and-coming acts. Today's pick is probably Chloe Petts at the Y, but visit the festival website for more.

Thursday February 5

ALDERSHOT: When Amy Mason got hacked, she lost her number, bank account and social media access. And then the hackers started sending her gifts… This ripping yarn, which starts its UK tour at the West End Centre today, garnered good reviews at last year's Edinburgh Fringe (including ours, and is told with an endearing air of benign bafflement. Amy Mason tour dates

BRIGHTON: Following a stunning debut, Jordan Gray's second show – Is That A C*ck In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me? – is about the death threats she got as a trans comedian who dared to bare all on Channel 4's Friday Night Live… The ebullient musical comic says: 'People are putting a lot of pressure on my big return. Now I know what it feels like to be Jesus - right down to the beard and the dress.' Probably not one for the transphobes, the tour kicks off at the Ironworks tonight. Jordan Gray tour dates

LONDON: The Hackney Empire hosts Radio 1Xtra’s Comedy Gala wtiht Andrew Mensah, Annette Fagon, Eddie Kadi, Emmanuel Sonubi, Kyrah Gray, Leroy Brito, Junior Booker and Travis Jay. It'll be on BBC Sounds and iPlayer at some later dates.

Friday February 6

BRISTOL: Lucy Porter tours her 18th solo show, described as 'an hour of stand-up exploring what it means to age, evolve, and loosen your grip on everything from self-image to social expectations. The comic, known for appearances on the likes of The News Quiz and Just A Minute, kicks off her Let Yourself Go dates at the Hen & Chicken tonight. Lucy Porter tour dates.

NUNEATON: Pointless silliness with the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre combines with the pointed silliness of satirical musical comic Steve Gribbin at the Abbey Theatre & Arts Centre, ably compered by Karen Bayley.

Saturday February 7

MANCHESTER The story of trying to find the perfect two-piece skirt suit – which span off into Lord Of The Rings figurines, sperm banks and awkward gym inductions – won Sam Nicoresti the main prize at last year's Edinburgh Comedy Awards. And the Chortle review called it 'uproariously funny, life-affirming, angry, dumb, insightful and political all at once' as it discusses how we metaphorically dress for life with the lightest of touches. Her tour kicks off at the Fairfield Social Club tonight. Sam Nicoresti: tour dates.

LONDON: Back on telly via the revived Mock The Week, Ed Byrne, joins inventive ventriloquist and quick-witted improviser Nina Conti, the filter-free Helen Bauer and harassed everymum Laura Smyth for a fine gig at the Union Chapel in Islington.

Published: 1 Feb 2026