It's a little known fact that Guy Fawkes was in fact a stand up comic. Comedians being comedians, constantly trying to out do each other, they dared him to storm the Houses of Parliament with the promise that he could finally get to headline the notorious gig at Ye Olde Rope and Gibbet. Sadly it didn't quite go his way… Anyway, in his memory try this lot this month.
Greater Manchester Comedy Festival, Sun 1 – Tue 10 Nov, various venues
Having had a successful time running the Greater Manchester Fringe since 2012, the team decided to move on to picking up a comedy festival too. Funding ran out for the Manchester Comedy Festival a few years back so GMF took on their own version. There's plenty to take in but a highlight will be Tuesday Tickles with self confessed bad mum Penella Mellor on the final night (Tue 10, Taurus).
Gein’s Family Gift Shop, Kosmonaut, Mon Nov 2, Free
Gein’s Family Gift Shop is, once again, in the basement at Kosmonaut. Don't worry, they're not keeping them there on a permanent basis, they're there for their regular monthly evening of the seamy, dark side of comedy with top guests, Harriet Dyer and Danny McLoughlin.
Quippodrome, Gullivers, Mon Nov 2, £4
Putting the weird into, well weird really, Quippodrome returns to Gullivers on Oldham Street. Expect all manner of oddball events in 'a mega massive multimedia laughstravaganza'. They've got 'Maurice', the greatest pick up artist in the world and 'Busy B Business Boy' and promise, no anecdotes about 'the wife' and 'Nandos'. Otherwise you're asking for a Chinese burn on the way out. Support comes from BBC New Comedy Award finalist and pride of Essex, Peter Brush.
Lost Voice Guy, XSMalarkey, Tue Nov 3, £3/£5
A lot of live stand up is a verbal jousting match with the audience and you'd imagine that Lost Voice Guy might be at a disadvantage given that he talks with the aid of a computer in a Stephen Hawking type manner. But it doesn't slow him up or dull his wit, so catch him here.
Barking Tales, Zombie Shack, Wed Nov 4, £5
The funniest therapy session in town as Harriet Dyer introduces acts talking about mental illness from a wry perspective. This month it's the turn of Kevin Dewsbury, Adam Rowe and Stephanie Laing to turn the darkness into comedy gold. All proceeds to Manchester Mind. Great stuff.
Comedy Club, Fred's (Levenshulme), Wed Nov 4, £5
The Levenshulme comedy club welcomes the cuddliest comedian on the circuit, the Irish Iranian from Geordie land - Patrick Monahan. One of the most exuberant acts around - there'll more than likely be cakes, hugs and dancing as well as plenty of laughs. With support from Darren Harriot.
Dave Spikey, The Comedy Store, Wed Nov 4, £15 (£12 conc)
The man also known as Jerry 'The Saint' St Clair in 'Phoenix Nights', with his latest show. With 'Punchlines' the veteran comedian explores the notion that punchlines aren't considered funny when they stand alone. He begs to differ.
Alan Carr, O2 Apollo, Thu 5, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Nov, £30
Alan Carr's latest tour rolls up to the Apollo for three nights in a row. He's come a long way from the upstairs room that was The Buzz club in Chorlton. Yet his success isn't surprising as he certainly had something special back then, and there's a bit more to it than just 'Yap Yap Yap'.
Comedy @ Chorlton Irish Club, Fri Nov 6, £12 /£10 advance
The monthly club night that's a perfect way to end the week for all those busy Chorltonites. And the not so busy ones too. The multi-talented Markus Birdman will certainly bring his funnies with him but if you're lucky he'll throw in some of his amazing art work too. As ever, Manc's own Justin Moorhouse comperes and also on the bill are the laid back Irishman John Lynn and the wonderfully odd Jonny Pelham.
David O'Doherty, Dancehouse Theatre, Fri 6, Sat 7 & Sun 8 Nov, £14-£16
Equipped with a retro keyboard, (otherwise known as a 1980s model), O'Doherty sometimes sings and sometimes words his absurdist whimsy. Either way it'll make you laugh. One of the most low-fi gigs you're likely to see as well as the most funny-bone stimulating.
Upfront Comedy, Contact Theatre, Sat Nov 7 £15
Another great tour from Upfront Comedy - a leading black comedy promoter. 'Comedy Winterfest' sees performances from two stars of BBC comedy - 'The Real McCoy's' Curtis Walker and '3 Non Blondes' Nina Benjamin. Marcus Hercules provides the support and Upfront main man John Simmit comperes.
Beat The Frog World Series Final, The Frog and Bucket, Mon Nov 9, £3 (free for students)
The Frog's annual amateur comp reaches its conclusion. As with the regular Monday night, competitors attempt to do their time without the audience deciding they're rubbish and croaking them off, though there will be a comedy industry judging too. The winner wins the heart of the nation as well as international notoriety.
Trapdoor Comedy, The Railway, Didsbury, Mon Nov 9, £5
Kicking off three days of Trapdoor comedy with brilliant character comedian Keith Carter - for years he's been regaling crowds in disguise, mainly as super-scally Scouser Nige. He additionally appears at Solomon's in Withington on Tue 10 and the Old Monkey (£3) in the city centre on Wed 11.
Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, O2 Apollo, Wed 11 & Fri 20 Nov, £32.50-£37.50
They've worked together on and off over thirty years, so here's their chance to top up the pension fund. Given the amount of genius creations the pair have come up with over the years – not least their spearing of 80s era Radio 1 DJs with Smashy and Nicey - it's gotta be worth a look.
Frankie Boyle, O2 Apollo, Sat Nov 14, £20
One of the only advantages of having a right wing government is that it gives comedians such as the likes of Boyle the fuel for a political tour de force of a show. He's been previously known for his controversial gags, but in 'Hurt Like You've Never Been Loved' he's taken that edge and applied it to searing social observation. One to see.
Holly Burn and Spencer Jones, The Dancehouse, Sat Nov 14, £10 (on the door) (£8 in advance)
This promises to be a truly bats night of comedy from two of the most off the wall comics about. Burn's latest show features the endearing Kirsty K, who is keen to make friends – with just about anyone. Also showcasing his crazy work is Spencer Jones in 'Proper Job', a trained Philippe Gaulier clown, his is a prop heavy comedy akin to a 'grubby Mr Bean'. Burn also appears at XSMalarkey on Tues 17.
Dave Gorman, The Lowry, Sun Nov 15, £27
'Dave Gorman...Gets Straight To The Point' is bound to have a Power Point presentation. Gorman loves a Power Point. Though don't we all. From the man who went looking for all the other Dave Gormans, once cycled between all the gigs on his tour and once lived in a house full of Daves in this very city.
Andy Zaltzman, The Lowry, Sun Nov 15, £14
Something of an unsung hero of the comedy scene, Zaltzman used to do a political show with John Oliver – wonder whatever happened to him? Wielding his quick wit and political savvy, here in 'Satirist For Hire,' Zaltzman responds to any topic you'd care to throw at him so that, as he puts it, it will be 'satirised to order'.
Group Therapy 2, Tiger Lounge, Thu Nov 19, £5
Don't worry, though it's not on this month at Gorilla (back next month) Group Therapy 2 is on in the cosy feline confines of Tiger Lounge. The first one was last month and for its second outing it's hosting one of the best shows at the Edinburgh Fringe this year – 'Waiting For Gaddot' starring (kind of) Richard Gadd with a fine supporting cast. Prepare to have your expectations spat on.
Sham Bodie, Gullivers, Thu Nov 19, £5
The eclectic comedy night reaches its toddler years with its second birthday. Hopefully it won't be having a tantrum. Celebrating will be Cheekykita, Liam Pickford - who also played the first ever show and acclaimed and obtuse headliner James Acaster. They'll be some music too. Maybe even a bit of cake and a candle.
Ursula Martinez, Contact Theatre, Sat Nov 21, £13 (£7 conc)
Crossing over the cabaret/comedy border, Martinez spends much of her time using her naked body as an integral part of her act. Over the years she's created many spectacles from a carefully contrived striptease to quizzing her parents live on stage. Let's see what she's got planned for this new show, 'Free Admission'. One thing's for certain, there'll be sass aplenty.
Shits n Giggles, Antwerp Mansion, Sun Nov 22, free
That lovely gig in the equally lovely and crumbly Antwerp Mansion - the best way to end a decadent weekend. Catch a veteran of the circuit and political stalwart Steve Gribbin, who is still as passionate and tack sharp after all these years on the circuit. With Neil P Shawcross and Josh Pugh in support.
Hypnodog, The Frog and Bucket, Sun Nov 22, £5
Britain's Got Talent has been responsible for highlighting some mad bobbins but Hypnodog has to be one of the looniest. Here the Frog play host to the German Spitz with magical powers as she heads out on tour. Don't look into those eyes too long or else she'll have you breaking out the sausages and we now know they're bad for us all.
Pam Ann, Opera House, Sun Nov 22, £24.90-£43.90
For those not in the know, Pam Ann is a glorious throwback to those heady early days of air travel when a trolley dolly was all oiled hair and lipstick (and that's just the men, badum tish! I'm here all week…). The creation of acid tongued Aussie comedian Caroline Reid, Pam prowls about the audience picking favourites for first class (the front row) and sending those in cheap clothes to economy. Brilliant fun.
Jeremy Hardy, The Lowry, Sun Nov 22, £19
Don't be deceived by his safe looking old man cardi, Hardy is one of the most acerbic political commentors around and with the current governmental shenanigans he should have plenty of fuel for his rhetoric. Don't forget he's the man who was banned from a venue in Burnley by the BNP. You can't get more rock 'n' roll than that.
Paul Foot, The Lowry, Mon 23, Tue 24 & Wed 25 Nov, £14.50
In a marathon of madness across three nights, Foot returns to three of his previous shows 'By The Yard', 'Still Life' and 'Kenny Larch Is Dead'. It's guaranteed to kick off the week with glorious insanity as Foot is one of the most wonderfully off the wall talents around.
Seymour Mace, MACE at Kosmonaut, Thu Nov 26, £5
This year at the Edinburgh Fringe, Mace had a well overdue industry nod when he was nominated for the big prize at the fest. Mace is one of the most innovative comedians on the scene, his work has always been a touch surreal but in more recent years his solo shows have become joyfully anarchic affairs. Who knows what tonight will hold, but there's only one way to find out.
Jasper Carrott and Alistair McGowan, The Lowry, Sun Nov 29, £28.60
A somewhat unexpected pairing here but, impressionist Alistair McGowan and veteran comic Jasper Carrott share the bill of this evening of entertainment at The Lowry. Should be well worth a look with McGowan able to take on pretty much any impersonation and those of a certain age can quote Carrott's insurance claims routine verbatim.
Beardyman, The Lowry, Sun Nov 29, £17-£19
Improv taken that one step further by Darren Foreman AKA Beardyman as he promises to produce a whole, original album in the duration of the show. After two sell out Edinburgh shows he's finally on tour. As impressive as it is funny.
Sidekick Comedy, Via, Mon Nov 30, £2 (students free)
In this cosy monthly gig in a bijou downstairs room at the labyrinthine Via in the Village, ex pat American comic Kate McCabe introduces a selected line up. This month sees a meandering spot from the thoughtful Danny Pensive plus support from John Pendal and Chris Cantrill.
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