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 April 26

DUBLIN: American musical comedy rock duo Ninja Sex Party kick off a UK and Ireland tour, supported by Canadian rockers TWRP, at the 3Olympia Theatre. Dates across the UK - where Jazz Emu also offers support – continue all week.

Monday April 27

LONDON: Michael Palin is interviewed by QI creator and comedy uber-producer John Lloyd about his long career at the Gillian Bayliss Theatre in the West End. Tickets

Tuesday April 28

LONDON: Mark Thomas, Nick Helm and Shazia Mirza are among the comics taking part in Stand Up For Game Therapy at the Comedy Store.

Thursday April 30

MANCHESTER: Quirky musical comedian and vocal chameleon Reggie Watts – formerly bandleader on James Corden's Late Late Show – returns to the UK for short run of gigs, starting at the Fairfield Social Club tonight. Reggie ​Watts tour dates.

Friday May 1

MACHYNLLETH: The Welsh town's boutique – but sizeable – comedy festival returns for a 15th year with around 200 shows over the weekend. Comedians love it's supportive community vibe, and this year's line-up includes the likes of James Acaster, Tim Key, Stewart Lee, Bridget Christie and Catherine Bohart.Website

BRIGHTON: Meanwhile, the East Sussex resort's Fringe festival also kicks off, spanning the whole month with comedy, theatre, cabaret, music and more. Website.

LONDON: The Banana Cabaret, held at The Bedford pub in Balham is closing after 43 yearsat the end of the month. But it is bowing out in style with a mont of big-name headlines – Ed Byrne tonight and Milton Jones tomorrow, for instance – always with a robust supporting bill of some of the circuit's finest. It's not the end of comedy at the venue, mind, as the Always Be Comedy club will be taking over.

DUNDEE: Glaswegian stand-up and digital sketch-maker Paul Black kicks off his tour. Last year her wrote and directed the BBC comedy short Govan Fair Queen, starring Elaine C. Smith. Paul ​Black tour dates.

BRISTOL: The Hen and Chicken presents Signing Funny,an evening of comedy performed entirely in sign language with Gavin Lilley, Florian Tirnovan and Adrian Bailey.

NANTWICH: A strong bill at the civic hall boasts frustrated everyman Scott Bennett ably supported by Brummie Lindsey Santoro, offbeat Peter Brush, and quick-witted Stephen Grant.

RISBY: Much fun in Suffolk with veteran Arthur Smith, Britain's Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy and and the wittily snarky Carey Marx all on at the village hall.

Saturday May 2

MACHYNLLETH: Kiell Smith-Bynoe, star of Ghosts, Taskmaster and Stath Lets Flats, is taking his improvised comedy show Kool Story Bro on a UK tour, kicking off at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival. Using stories from the audience, Kiell and his castmates – including a celebrity guest – create long-form improvised scenes. Kool Story Bro tour dates.

LONDON: Author and social media personality Laura Belbin – aka Knee Deep In Life – is back with a new show, Unhinged, about being a single woman in her 40s in today's dating scene. It begins its UK tour at the Leicester Square Theatre tonight. Laura Belbin tour dates

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Published: 26 Apr 2026