July comedy in London receives an unexpected boost from the Greenwich Comedy Garden, which is basically the long-running Greenwich Comedy Festival with a slightly different name, staged earlier. Some massive Brit names headline. Elsewhere in London this month you can chuckle at everything from the return of US alt star Aziz Ansari to the extremely goofy Shrek-themed cabaret Swamplesque.
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.
The best comedy clubs in London.
The best new theatre shows to book for in London.
What is it? It’s all change – or quite a lot of change – at London’s biggest comedy festival, as the erstwhile Greenwich Comedy Festival moves two months ahead in the calendar and changs its name to the Greenwich Comedy Garden. Staged across five nights and two weekend afternoons, Tom Allen, Josh Widdicombe, Alan Davies, Sarah Pascoe, David O’Doherty, Jack Dee, Chris McCauseland and Ross Noble each headine a bill of four comics.
Where is it? Old Royal Navy College.
Sir Lenny Henry has long since transcended being a ‘mere’ comedian – if he ever really was – with a career that has long leant more towards the stage, kids’ books and general elder statesman-ing. He’s still got it, though: aged 67 he heads out on his first stand-up tour in over a decade with Still at Large. His first since 2010, it’s billed as ‘part stand-up, part storytelling and part conversation’.
What is it? Normally free comedy gigs make their money back on the booze. But in a gesture of outstanding benevolence, BAFTA and Emmy-winning entertainent producer Ralph has teamed up with Gipsy Hill Brewery for a night where both comedy and beer are free. Running 90 minutes and starting at 6pm at Spitalfields Market, it’s a real fightback for the increasingly endangered concept of going for one after work. And it’s a cracking line-up, with big name Jamali Maddix headlining.
Where is it? Old Spitalfields Market.
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