The top ten comedy shows this month

Aziz Ansari – Buried Alive!

Yes! Hot US talent Aziz Ansari is returning to London after his blisteringly funny mega-sold out Soho Theatre run two years ago. The co-creator of MTV's excellent 'Human Giant', and star of the best-sitcom-on-TV-right-now 'Parks and Recreation', Aziz is at his best live on stage, where he's slick and sublimely funny. The South Carolina-born comic is a masterful stand-up, and his new show focuses on the ridiculousness of love, marriage and babies. We wonder what delicious food he'll be sampling on his London visit?

Read our interview with Aziz Ansari

Baconface – It's All Bacon

Mexican wrestling mask-donning cult '80s stand-up Baconface, from Canada, is about as mysterious as a comic can get. Never heard of him? Well, he's credited as 'programme associate' on the forthcoming series of 'Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle', so that should lend him some credibility. In fact, he's got quite a lot in common with Mr Lee, who cites him as a major influence. We reckon he'll be the hog's bollocks.

See our Baconface interview

Time Out Introduces

The second installment of our new-talent gig features another eight of our favourite rising comedy stars, introduced by feelgood comedy maestro Stephen K Amos. The line-up includes *deep breath* brilliant absurdist Pat Cahill, dark Danish comic Sofie Hagen, bold new comedy voice Alfie Brown, frantic storyteller Adam Hess, BBC Comedy Award-winner Lucy Beaumont, the deliciously deadpan Mark Stephenson, sharp quirky comic Harriet Kemsley and the devil-tongued David Mills. Phew!

Reggie Watts

Super-hairy musical comedian Watts jets over from New York for a show as part of Yoko Ono's Meltdown. He's enormous in the US but only made his first British TV appearance last year. As well as improvising hilariously on race and popular culture, he's a super-talented musician who builds up intricate acapella beats using loop and reverb pedals, and has an impressive, soulful voice. Tonight he performs with Missourian rapper Mac Lethal.

See an exclusive video from Reggie Watts

Bill Bailey – Qualmpeddler

Another hairy comic (albeit in a more 'Solstice' way), Bill Bailey, lands in his home borough of Hammersmith, with his intriguingly titled 'Qualmpeddler'. As you'd expect from a BB show, it's a hoot, mixing philosophical meanderings and musical deconstructions. The religious dubstep and 'Horntallica' are both particularly funny highlights.

Colin Hoult – Characthorse

A master of macabre storytelling and character comedy, Colin Hoult consistently voms up some of the most creative, well-rounded and downright twisted characters on the circuit. He's performing his brand new show – Characthorse – at the Udderbelly, and we hear he's on fine form.

Read a horror story written by Colin Hoult

Scott Capurro – Islamahomophobia

Another characteristically eye-catching show title from this highly intelligent, occasionally shocking, bitchy San Francisco-born comic. In 'Islamahomopholbia', Scott looks at gay marriage, the Koran and his third mid-life crisis – what else!? Acerbic, uninhibited and frickin' funny.

See Scott Capurro's top ten stand-up comedians

Arts Emergency

Founded by artists, activists and academics (including the wonderful Josie Long, who we like to think is all three), The Arts Emergency Service aims to keep university open to all, privileged or not. This big benefit gig features a large bill of comics and artists supporting the cause. The line-up includes Josie Long (naturally), Mark Watson, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Isy Suttie, Kate Tempest, Robin Ince, Brigitte Aphrodite, Greg Jenner, Joe Dunthorne, The British Humanist Association Choir and lots more.

See our interview with Josie Long

Felicity Ward – The Hedgehog Dilemma

You’d think a show dealing with alcoholism, therapy and unhappy relationships would be a depress-fest. Not in the hands of uplifting Aussie storyteller Felicity Ward. She’s a talented physical comedian – she skilfully acts out each character from her autobiographical tale – and every minute of the show is packed with jokes, even in the most emotional sections. Tremendously entertaining and charmingly funny, this is heartwarming comedy goodness.

The Boy with Tape on His Face – More Tape

Silent comedy sensation The Boy with Tape on His Face (aka Sam Wills) was the hit of last year's Edinburgh Fringe, selling out a 700-seat venue every night, and is fresh from a wildly successful West End run. Now he's in the inflatable surroundings of the giant purple cow, mixing mime, props and audience interaction to create beautiful visual punchlines and some truly magicial moments. This show really does speak for itself.

See our interview with The Boy with Tape on His Face