There are far, far too many one-off, multi-performer comedy nights in London for us to compile a single coherent page with our favouites on, which is entirely to London’s credit. So do check individual bills of comedy clubs online for that sort of thing. But if you’re looking for an individual comedian with a full headline show then this page is here to compile the Time Out editorial team’s top choices, often with our reviews from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
January is a great time of year for comedy in London, largely because a lot of the big December shows are still up and running – catch Stewart Lee, Bill Bailey and Julia Masli – and a lot of the most acclaimed Edinburgh shows of last year are returning, to bigger theatres where you can actually get a ticket – enjoy a second chance to catch Amy Gledhill and Joe Kent-Walters.
What is it? The Good Place writer Demi Adejuyigbe’s lovably goofy, bizarrely high concept debut show was a hit at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe and now heads our way.
Why go? It’s simultaneously shamlessly lo-fi and dizzyingly conceptual, in the funniest way possible. And that title offers us the pure promise of at least one honest piece of entertainment. WouId I pay to see a trained acrobat do a single backflip? No. Would I pay to see an untrained comedian do one? I think I would!
What is it? In his latest dizzyingly high concept show, avant comedy legend Stewart Lee bemoans his irrelevance in a new show in which he promises to unleash a new, callously offensive stage persona to compete with the likes of Ricky Gervais and Dave Chappelle. The Man-Wulf is, apparently, ‘a tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of the subconscious who hates humanity’.
Why go? Look, you either love or hate Stewart Lee. For the former camp this sounds like an utterly delectable mix of ludicrous high conceptualising and vindictive scorn directed at his more successful peers.
What is it? Comic Amy Gledhill’s second solo show, a widely praised set revolving around questions of body image.
Why go? It won the main Edinburgh comedy award at last year’s Fringe, and as such can reasonably be deemed to be officially the funniest new comedy show in the UK. Its initial Soho Theatre run post-Fringe sold out instantly – don’t miss it as it returns for a longer stint.
What is it? The surrealist comedy legend and prog lover returns to the West End with a new show in which he promises to celebrate flawed humanity in an age where things can increasingly be done better by machine.
Why go? It would be remarkable if you lacked an opinion on Bill Bailey at this stage, but his cool uncle mix of surrealism and naked love of prog has made him one of the biggest comics in the country, and rightly so.
What it is? The big word-of-mouth comedy hit at the 2024 Fringe was this outlandish yet perversely enjoyable late night gem from newcomer Huddersfield comic Joe Kent-Waters, in which he played the titular Monroe, a working men’s club owner who has made a literal deal with the devil.
Why go? Kind of like the degenerate, basement-raised offspring of ‘Phoenix Nights’ and ‘League of Gentlemen’ - not to mention Marlowe’s ‘Doctor Faustus’ - it’s a gloriously bizarre night out thoroughly deserving of the best comedy newcomer award it netted for Kent-Walters at the Fringe.
What is it? Cult comedy gameshow ‘Taskmaster’ makes the leap from small screen to live experience with this undeniably intriguing show, which takes place at the Dock X complex in Canada Water.
Why go? If you’ve ever dreamed of taking part in the show’s zany tasks then this, presumably, is for you, with the opportunity to step into a recreation of the Taskmaster house and take part in one of two ‘gameplay experiences’ dubbed Melon Buffet and Absolute Casserole.
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