August is here and the Edinburgh Fringe casts a long, obliterating shadow: virtually every gigging comic in the country has headed to Scotland and there is, frankly, not a lot going on in London this month.
But there are a handful of fun things nontheless, from the chance to catch James Acaster’s new work-in-progress to the opportunity to catch Patti Harrison’s insane sounding new show before its belated move to the Fringe.
It’s also worth saying: watch this space. At the moment we have no idea who the buzzy new comics will be at this year’s Fringe, but we will in a couple of weeks and the odds are some of them will have last minute London dates locked in for the last week of August.
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? The alt. comedy superstar tries out some new work for an hour, in a variety of venues across London. The shows are largely but not yet entirely sold out, and well worth snagging the last few places.
Where is it? Soho Theatre and Park Theatre.
What is it? To drink, or not to drink? The Sh!t-faced Shakespeare crew resprise their production of the Bard’s greatest play: as ever, with one member of the company smashed out of their faces. Is it going to be a ‘Hamlet’ for the ages? Absolutely not. Is it going to be a fun, short ‘Hamlet’ best watched over a few beers? Aye, there's the rub.
Where is it? Leicester Square Theatre.
What is it? The Camden Fringe is a lot smaller than the Edinburgh Fringe and the comedy strand is generally a lot more ‘early career’. But it’s well worth a look: the shows are cheap as chips, and some very decent comics do play there because they can’t be bothered with the faff of a month in Scotland.
Where is it? Various venues.
What is it? Neon Nights is the gorgeous Soho Theatre Walthamstow’s monthly showcase spectactular and typiclaly features a big name headliner with stars ion various degrees of rising in support. This month’s show is headlined by Phil Wang with Catherine Bohart as host and Olga Koch, Jin Hao Li, Josh Pugh and Fatiha El-Ghorri supporting.
Where is it? Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
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