From a quintet of affordable benefit shows hosted by the enigmatic Daniel Kitson to the latest outing from telly fave Katherine Ryan, it’s another month of diverse comedy thrills on the London stage.
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? Lo-fi comedy genius Daniel Kitson emerges from his bunker in March to host five juicy bills of affordable Monday night comedy as a fundraiser for beloved London community radio station Resonance FM.
Where is it? Up the Creek in Greenwich.
Why go? It’s worth it for reclusive legend Kitson alone, but the juicy bills that take in the likes of Rose Matafeo, Bridget Christie, Rosie Jones, Andy Zaltzman and Rob Auton are absurdly stacked for you £11.99 entry.
What is it? Britain’s favourite ascerbic adopted Canadian returns with a show of two halves.
Where is it? London Palladium.
Why go? You probably know at this stage in your life whether you like Katherine Ryan or not, but Battleaxe sounds like a fun show. The first part is classic Ryan standup in which she – by all accounts – goes full heels in on the disgraced etc Russell Brand. The second sees her turning comedy agony aunt (of sorts) by addressing various dilemmas texted in by the audience during the interval.
What is it? A spicy series of gigs which will see top-tier comedians perform and Nando’s restaurants across the country – starting in London.
Where is it? Nando’s Great Portland Street.
Why go? London's headliner is master satirist (and recent Time Out cover star) Munya Chawawa, alongside the excellent Kyrah Gray and Sikisa as emcee. But that's not all! Two awesome up-and-coming comedians will also perform, who were chosen in a hotly contested judging process with Time Out editors and Munya himself on the panel. Now for possibly the best bit: tickets are just £15 and include a delicious Nando's feast, including two drinks. Winner winner, chicken dinner.
What is it? Fans of satirical US instition The Daily Show will be familiar with Sloan, who has been a correspondant since 2017. Now she makes her UK headline debut.
Where is it? Soho Theatre.
Why go? Because by all accounts she’s a damn good stand up. Fresh of the back of last year’s essay-based memoir Hello, Friends! – Stories of Dating, Destiny, and Day Jobs, her bombastic set is due to cover ‘family, fertility and freezing her eggs’.
What is it? A play for comedy lovers as Paul Hendy’s transferring Edinburgh Fringe hit imagines a backstage meeting between twentieth century comedy legends Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse.
Where is it? Noël Coward Theatre.
Why go? Comedy nerds will love the detailed discussion of the history of British comedy, plus the genuinely funny routines. But it’s also got a darker edge to it that makes it genuinel work as good theatre.
What is it? Richard Herring returns to Leicester Square Theatre with last year’s show about his brush with testicular cancer.
Where is it? Leicester Square Theatre.
Why go? Overshadowed by both the huge cult success of his former comedy partner Stewart Lee and also his own podcast As It Occurs to Me, it’s easy to forget that Herring is a weird and interesting stand-up in his own right, with simple sounding premises in fact leading to pedantic, surreal, invariably high concept offerings.
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