Did you know that Julius Caesar fancied himself as a bit of a stand up? He didn't do too badly for a while on the Rome open mic circuit. However it was to prove his downfall when he was set upon by a bunch of hecklers who had heard his routine on the Roman sewerage system one too many times and stabbed him to death. Still, no better month than to catch some comedy than the one named after him, no?
Robin Ince's (Almost) Farewell Tour, Kings Arms, Wed 1 & Thu 2 July, £10 (£8 conc)
Ince is threatening to give up stand up again. Actually, he's just going to have a bit of a rest. Well he is a busy fella, what with exploring politics, the news and science largely in his Monkey Cage shows with Prof. Brian Cox. This show promises to be a blend of the brand new and some greatest hits. It'll be good.
Laugh Local, Chorlton Irish Club, Fri July 3, £12 /£10
Compere Ray Peacock introduces another top line up at the monthly Chorlton club. Little Hulton's comic Steve Harris is a cheeky presence, musical Scouser Steve Gribbin is one of the original political comedians and Penella Mellor is a gloriously bad mother from which she derives a delicious dark humour.
Group Therapy, Gorilla, Sat July 4, £10 - £13
Continuing the incredibly good line ups they always have here in July GT play host to off beat poet Tim Key. Key's had his brush with fame as Alan Partridge's sidekick Simon, played opposite the amazing Daniel Kitson in his two hander play 'Tree' and has been seen on Charlie Brooker's 'Screenwipe.' But Key is primarily a mesmerising performer in his own right with a combination of otherworldly observations and verse.
The Heatons Comedy Evening, The Heatons, £7.50, The Didsbury Comedy Club, Didsbury Cricket Club, £7, Sun July 5
This month it's former circus performer Martin Mor and former comedy club bar man Rich Wilson's turn to hotfoot it between Didsbury and Heaton Moor. In Didsbury Callum Oakley provides the support and MC is Barry Dodds whilst over at Heaton Moor Martin Semple supports and Justin Moorhouse comperes.
Phill Jupitus, Kings Arms, Mon July 6, £10
Jupitus may be better known to many as a team captain on 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' and for his stand up but here, for the Greater Manchester Fringe, he returns to his lyrical roots and adopts his Porky The Poet moniker once more. Back in the day, as a political poet he used to support many a band including Billy Bragg on the Labour supported Red Wedge tour.
Glenn Wool, The Old Monkey, Wed July 8, £3
Trapdoor comedy presents another fine, fine comedy act. Canadian Wool has been an intelligent and probing presence on the UK stand up scene for many years. Here he gears up to the Edinburgh Fringe with his latest outing 'Creator, I am but a Pawn' in which he questions his inner voice. He also appears at Trapdoor sister gig at The Railway in West Didsbury on Tue July 14.
Best in Stand Up, The Comedy Store, Sat 10 & Sat 11 July, £12-£22
A typically fine line up for the weekend show at the Store. The 'born in a Warrington chippy' Paul Thorne introduces the mischievous Ben Norris, in between his Trapdoor gigs - Canadian Glenn Wool, laconic stylish mod Ian Moore and the Irishman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Ardal O'Hanlon - Andrew Ryan.
Barrel of Laughs, The Frog and Bucket, Sat 10 & Sat 11 July, £8 - £19
Meanwhile over at the Frog there's another fun packed weekend to enjoy. Here local boy Dave Williams introduces former Luton choirboy Junior Simpson, Australian with Greek-Cypriot heritage Yianni Agisilaou and former teacher, still Irish John Lynn.
Chris Turner and Michael J Dolan, The Dancehouse, Sat 18 July
Continuing the season of Edinburgh preview shows at the Dancehouse this month here's the fine but unlikely marriage of Turner and Dolan. Luckily they're doing separate shows. Largely upbeat, Turner's début at the Fringe last year with Pretty Fly was well received so he returns with 'XXV' musing approaching his quarter century – an age he was once told he would die. Michael J Dolan conversely is gloriously and hilariously nihilistic 'Miserable Guts' is bound to be more Eeyore inspired musings. Watch out for the other shows there this month.
Manford's Comedy Clubs, Grosvenor Casino, Didsbury, Sun July 19, £12.50
XSMalarkey's Toby Hadoke pops out from Pub/Zoo to compere mate Jason Manford's comedy club. The monthly gig in the gambling den in Didsbury this time around sees performances from Scouser Sam Avery, cheeky Chester comic Danny McLoughlin and a special guest headliner.
Joe Lycett, XSMalarkey, Tue July 21, £5 (£3 members)
Bit of a home grown star here, though originally from Birmingham Lycett first started stand while at Manchester University in 2008. Even back then there was something a bit special about his comedic flourish. Seven years on he has plenty of TV appearances under his comedy belt as well as a few pun titled Edinburgh shows of which 'That's The Way, A-ha, A-ha I Lycett' is the latest.
The Dark Room, Gorilla, Fri July 24, £10
Who knows what could happen here but one thing is certain – you'll be told by Game master John Robertson that 'You Awake in a Dark Room.' The Dark Room began life as an 'interactive YouTube series' where you were able to make choices in a possibly futile effort to escape said Dark Room. Here in the incarnation that hit the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013 you get to play it live and subject yourself to its dark (obviously) improv comedy.
Sham Bodie, Blackjack Brewery, Fri July 24, £5
Ever hot footing it around some of the most kitsch and interesting Northern Quarter venues, Sham Bodie pops a short way down the road to the Blackjack Brewery by Angel Meadow. So as you take in the exuberant and very naughty Lou Conran, incestuousdouble act Norris and Parker and a special surprise headliner – you can also sample some of the fine ale at this teeny brewery – from pilsners to IPA, real ales to heady Belgian style.
Laughing Cows, Frog and Bucket, Sun, July 26, £5 - £10
Hazel O'Keefe started Laughing Cows comedy featuring all female line ups back in 1998 in response to many (usually male) promoters who wouldn't 'risk' putting two women on the same bill. Her nights have been consistently successful over the years gigs all over the country and on the continent and this is her long term residency in O'Keefe's native Manchester. Tonight the line up includes Denee Cassidy and Nicola Holt.
Alex Edelman and Gein's Family Giftshop, The Lowry, Sun July 26, £10
More chances to see those Edinburgh previews from two burgeoning stars of the comedy circuit. Young New Yorker Alex Edelman won the Foster's Newcomer Award at the Fringe last year and this is his much anticipated follow up. Also on the bill are the much closer to home (Salford) Gein's Family Giftshop (who also present their show at Malarkey's on July 7) who were also on the newcomer shortlist last year and here present 'Volume 2.'
John Luke Roberts, XSMalarkey, Tue July 28, £5 (£3 members)
Probably one of the most innovative comedians working at the moment. This year's Fringe show 'Stdad Up' attempts to balance exactly 'how stupid you have to be to be able to speak ill of the dead' in a show full of the oddball nonsense we've come to expect from Roberts coupled with the notion of having a Dad, then not having a Dad. Bound to be weird, hilarious and probably quite poignant in places if his previous shows are anything to go by.
The Noise Next Door, The Comedy Store, Wed July 29, £10 (£7 conc)
Improv when done badly can be a trail to watch. Plenty of groups think that this seems easy so give it ago and a gig soon turns into a hostage situation. Though they may be making it up on the spot, there are elements that make an improv show much more successful – a tight group used to working together, a strong structure and some good thumping music doesn't go amiss either. These guys have got all that - and a natty wardrobe to match.
The Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, The Lowry, Thu 30 – Sun 2 Aug, £41.50 - £43.50
It may give you indigestion as you see Basil flailing towards you as you're eating your tea but this live, restaurant-set version of Fawlty Towers has proved very popular over the last decade. Only a third of the experience is scripted so expect a 70s inspired menu and a great deal of shambolic chaos. Just don't mention the war and try not to choke on your prawn cocktail.
Words: Marissa Burgess