With little in the way of tech or overheads, stand-up comics are typically good to go after the Christmas break, with little of the sleepy start to the year experienced by the other arts. January is a fairly typical month, then, with a lively mix of shows of all size and stature, with the biggest news probably the return of Natalie Palimedes’s tour de force Weer, fresh from a blockbuster off-Broadway run.
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? LA clown princess Natalie Palamides brings her virtuosic one woman romcom Weer back to London for a second run of dates at the new 1,000-seat Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
Where is it? Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
Why go? Fresh off the back of a massive 60-plus date sold out run in New York, Paladamides’ show in which she plays both halves of a drunk, factious couple at the turn ogf the millennium is a technically audacious tour de force and hilarious to boot.
What is it? Nigerian standup Bamgboye took the best newcomer award at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Swings and Roundabouts her debut show which charted her move to the UK in her twenties, and showcased her often disorientating mastery of accents. Critics praised her confidence, poise and original, outsider-ish eye on British culture.
Where is it? Soho Theatre.
What is it? Taskmaster hero Ivo Graham headlines this fundraiser for Palestine, organaised by Gazan para-cycling team the Gaza Sunbirds. He’ll be joined by Amir El-Masry, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Karl Porter, Finlay Christie, Thomas Green, Tez Ilyas, Sami Abu-Wardeh and Sukina Noor for an evening of comedy and poetry.
Where is it? Union Chapel.
What is it? In this sweet debut Fringe hour, Lewisham-born-and-bred stand up Toussaint Douglass threatens us with 55 minutes of jokes about pigeons. That’s not quite what we get (maybe 15 minutes) but it’s a charming show that deservedly netted him the best newcomer award at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Where is it? Soho Theatre.
What is it? TV stalwart and lad adjecent comic Petts smartly deconstructs her childhood at the height of lad culture and how it’s gone on to influence her life, comedy and outlook.
Where is it? Soho Theatre.
What is it? Leftfield comedian Rooke looks back on – and adds a lot of words to the name of – his 2015 debut show Good Grief, a light-hearted attempt to come to terms with the death of his father, co-written with his nan. This new version isn’t just a revival of an old show – though it includes bit of it – but is rather a look back at the highs and lows of a career founded in discussing a personal tragedy.
Where is it? Soho Theatre.
What is it? Louis CK now exists in a weird hinterland: following accusations of sexual misconduct (that he owned up to) he’s seemingly inextricably alienated from critical favour and a good chunk of his original base. But he remains fairly popular, and if you accept his apology as sincere there are certainly more problematic cultural figures you could be giving your money to, even if the core of righteousness that powered his glory days has long evaporated.
Where is it? Eventim Apollo Hammersmith.
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