The top ten comedy shows this month
Our critic's pick of June's must-see comedy shows in London
There's an overwhelming number of comedy shows to choose from in London. Our advice? Buy tickets to any of the ten shows we recommend and you'll have a cracking time.
The best comedy shows in London this June
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?
- Hammersmith Apollo 45 Queen Caroline St, W6 9QH
- Sat Jun 15
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.
- Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE
- Mon Jun 10 - Fri Jun 14
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!
- Udderbelly Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
- Fri Jun 21
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.
- Royal Festival Hall Belvedere Rd, South Bank, SE1 8XX
- Tue Jun 18
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.
- Hammersmith Apollo 45 Queen Caroline St, W6 9QH
- Mon Jun 17 - Tue Jun 18
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.
- Udderbelly Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
- Sat Jun 22
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.
- Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE
- Tue Jun 4 - Sat Jun 8
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.
- Hackney Empire 291 Mare St, E8 1EJ
- Thu Jun 20
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.
- Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE
- Thu Jun 20 - Sat Jun 22
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.
- Udderbelly Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
- Tue Jun 25 - Sun Jul 14
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