The top London comedy shows to see in February

What is it? Ultimate millennial wit Amstell returns to live action with a storytelling based show that revolves around his achieving a measure of contentedness in middle age and how a chance encounter with a former pop star crush at an LA party threatened to jeapordise that. If the word ‘storytelling’ sounds like a red flag meaning ‘no jokes’ then fear not: review of I Live It. Here’s initial London run suggest that despite its thematic coherency, it’s basically business as usual for the self-lacerating introvert.

Where is it? Arches at London Bridge.

What is it? In his latest dizzyingly high concept show, avant comedy legend Stewart Lee bemoans his irrelevance – something he’s been been bemoaning for decades, often with zeitgeisty results – in a new show in which he promises to unleash a new, callously offensive stage persona to compete with the likes of Ricky Gervais and Dave Chappelle. The Man-Wulf is, apparently, ‘a tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of the subconscious who hates humanity’. Expect nuclear levels of irony. 

Where is it? Alexandra Palace Theatre.

What is it? Even by the fairly vague naming conventions of stand up comedy shows, it’s hard to imagine what sardonic Anglo-Russian Olga Koch’s new show Fat Tom Cruise will be about. Apparently it revolves around a story Koch has to tell. And furthermore, it’s a genre-defying show with immersive elements. This could mean everything or nothing, but Koch is an undoubtable pro and if she’s stretching her wings a bit formally then so much the better.

Where is it? Soho Theatre.

What is it? This absurd existential clown show is allegedly about ‘nothing’, although in truth the duo of Sam Kruger and SE Grummett fail to stay on point spectacularly in a genitals-heavy affair that finds room for puppet Joni Mitchell, a techno concert, and a pantomime horse. The best kind of insane, if you’re in the market for that. 

Where is it? Soho Theatre.

What is it? After KATE, her extremely high concept last show, Kate Verlant’s generically titled latest sounds like it might just be an evening of whatever the smart, surreal US standup happens to be working on at the time, with no big concept. And we’ll absolutely take that!

Where is it? Soho Theatre Walthamstow.

What is it? Comic John Tothill’s faux-libertine schtick received a considerable shot in the arm when his appendix burst live on stage, just a few days into his 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe run. He recovered, fortunately, and bounced back last year with a show that mused amusingly on these events and the alleged attempted assassination of Donald Trump, which had happened just a few days previously. 

Where is it? Soho Theatre.