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Comedy
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Comedy

Inside London’s LGBTQ+ comedy scene and the names to watch out for

With the city’s pop-up scene headed in hugely exciting directions, it feels high time London got a dedicated club for queer comedy

<p>James Austin Johnson </p>
Comedy

James Austin Johnson at Soho Theatre: makes it look utterly effortless

America’s best Trump impersonator seamlessly got the crowd onside

Comedy

Brown Girls Do It Too, Soho Theatre: brilliant culture clash comedy

This bracingly positive show is impossible not to like if you have a heart

Watch Now

Evening Standard Big Comedy Night with Uber

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Evening Standard Big Comedy Night with Uber

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The Destination: Jessica Fostekew on the magic of comedy

NOW PLAYING

The Journey: Jessica Fostekew on new comedy gigs

NOW PLAYING

The Introduction: Comedian Jessica Fostekew on awkward gig moments

NOW PLAYING

The Destination: Comedian Huge Davies on his relationship with ducks

Comedy

Harriet Dyer at Soho Theatre review – powerful and compelling

A captivating presence, Dyer tells the story of a traumatic event that has cast a shadow over her life - humour is one of the ways she has coped

Comedy

Ricky Gervais Armageddon tour: Dates, venues, and tickets for UK shows

The comedian revealed that his latest show will also stream on Netflix next year

Showbiz

Gail Porter reveals what to expect as she launches stand up career

EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish TV presenter, who was once homeless and slept rough for six months, is also looking to shine a light on a National Databank set up to help people in need to access free mobile data

Comedy

Sam Campbell at Soho Theatre: brilliant Australian comic is a one-off

There is no overarching theme to this hour of divine madness - but Campbell is clearly a one-off

Events and Things To Do

You’re havin’ a laugh: An insider’s guide to comedy in London

From secret sets in Soho to priceless nights out for nothing, our comedy critic Bruce Dessau shares his tips for making the most of the city’s hit stand-up scene

Comedy

Pierre Novellie at the Soho Theatre review: remarkably enjoyable

The tightly written script ensures that the laughs keep coming, even when the subject is serious

Theatre

Alex Edelman at the Menier Chocolate Factory review: brilliantly funny

Edelman is a compelling, super-energetic performer; witheringly smart and laceratingly self-critical

Comedy

Comedian Alex Edelman: ‘Antisemitism has got pretty bad again’

The Jewish comedian’s new show tells the tale of how how he attended a white nationalist gathering incognito: ‘People are disappointed when I tell them I didn’t feel in the path of bodily harm.’

Comedy

Mike Wozniak: Zusa at Soho Theatre review: deliciously distinctive fun

The story of Wozniak might be the shaggiest of shaggy dog stories you will ever hear

Comedy

Chloe Petts at Soho Theatre review – a rising star

The commanding stand-up’s engaging debut is an illuminating insight into the hot topic of gender

Comedy

Liz Kingsman: One Woman Show at the Ambassadors Theatre - exquisite

It’s even better than last time: break a minor byelaw if it helps you get to the gig

Comedy

Peter Kay at the O2 Arena review: delivered in spades

Kay’s material still trades on shameless nostalgia but the audiences left with smiles on their faces

Comedy

Jerry Sadowitz at the Apollo: uncomfortable but hard to take seriously

The Edinburgh controversy certainly sold tickets but it seems likely the deliberately offensive comedian won’t be going mainstream anytime soon

Comedy

Nick Helm at Bloomsbury Theatre: the ultimate in pandemic humour

Other comedians might as well give up; they are unlikely to improve on this

Comedy

Marc Maron at Bloomsbury Theatre: at his best when he got personal

These two solo shows revealed the other side of the famous podcaster’s repertoire

Comedy

Rich Hall at Soho Theatre: gruff exterior conceals a slick performer

The American comedian is an essential worker if you’re in need of a dose of curmudgeonly humour

Comedy

Dave Gorman at Hackney Empire review: hilarious feelgood standup

Audiences will be educated as well as spectacularly entertained

Comedy

The best Edinburgh Fringe comedy shows coming to London

Some of the top acts of the 2022 fringe are bringing their shows to London. Here’s our pick...

Comedy

Stewart Lee, Leicester Square Theatre: classic Lee, maybe too classic

Easy gags and brilliant ideas combine to make this a show for the faithful, if not necessarily one to win new converts

Comedy

Kemah Bob’s FOC IT UP! podcast is blowing comedy’s doors wide open

The Texan comic says the comedy scene doesn’t cater for all audiences - or comics

Comedy

Joz Norris at Soho Theatre: a brilliantly madcap magic meltdown

This brilliant show was a Fringe highlight - now it’s landed in London

Showbiz

How to get tickets for Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle’s London shows

This will be the first time the two comedians perform together

Comedy

Colin Hoult at Edinburgh Fringe 2022: gloriously over the top

The Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee’s character comedy is immaculately observed

Comedy

Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Jordan Gray is a bona fide star

This brilliant show could well make history at the Fringe this year

Comedy

Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Zach Zucker leaves us laughing against the odds

After having to rewrite his show due to a tragedy in his hometown, the American comedian still keeps his humour high-octane

Comedy

Edinburgh Festival 2022: Jayde Adams - bound by sheer charisma

This born performer’s distinctive take on the last two years is a joy - it’ll be worth the wait for her forthcoming London show

Comedy

Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Six debut comics set to make a splash this year

For those heading to the Fringe, here are six newcomers not to miss

Comedy

Comedian Grace Campbell, ‘I don’t give a f**k, I get that from my dad’

Back for another Edinburgh, the rising comedian is looking at why she was desperate for male validation

Comedy

Kate Barron on how losing 13 stone has led to her new Edinburgh show

The Canadian comic’s personal new festival hour Losing Myself has sparked emotional responses from audiences

Comedy

Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Our pick of the 20 must-see comedy shows

This year promises an festival like no other. Here are the shows not to miss at the annual jamboree

Comedy

Luisa Omielan at Soho Theatre review: Why is she not a household name?

This Greatest Hits-style set features plenty of punchy routines

Comedy

Comedian Sikisa on Edinburgh, immigration and her love for Brixton

Discovered while working in a pub, the comic has to take holiday allowance from her legal work to make her Edinburgh Fringe debut next month