The UK’s finest comics are bringing the LOLs from their living rooms; plus, you can catch some excellent past shows you might’ve missed
In these unprecedented times, it’s well worth paying extra attention to maintaining your physical and mental wellbeing. Together with Priority, we’re here to help you do just that, by curating guides to the best events and activities you can get stuck into at home.
Head back to our hub page to find guides to the best ways to get active, have fun, be creative, stream theatre and comedy, and entertain the kids.
Nothing says ‘east London’ like a proper cockney singalong – if you really want to belt out a verse of ‘The Lambeth Walk’ you can join Tom Carradine for his self-isolation cockney singalong. Tom normally performs at Mr Fogg’s Tavern, but for now, he’s taking those old London tunes to Facebook Live, every Thursday at 8.30pm. Want to come prepared? You can find the full cockney songbook here.
Thursdays, 8.30pm. Free, donations welcome.
Did you really expect one of Edinburgh’s best-loved comedy venues to lay low over lockdown? We didn’t think so. The folks here are going above and beyond, bringing you LOLs several nights a week with an ever-growing programme of stand-up shows, Thursday night comedy game shows and even fun ‘educational’ workshops on their Instagram page.
Various nights and times. Free, donations welcome.
What started as a WhatsApp ‘virtual pub’ hangout between a few mates has grown into a major weekly comedy night. For just £2, you’ll receive a link to ‘The Covid Arms’: a place where big-name comedians stream live stand-up. Past names include Kiri Pritchard Mclean, Sindhu Vee, Suzi Ruffell, Ross Noble and Sara Pascoe. The best bit? Proceeds are split between the performers and The Trussell Trust, which raises much-needed funds for food banks. So far they’ve raised £80,000. Impressive, hey?
Saturdays, 7pm. From £2.
The Stand Comedy Club is a big deal in Edinburgh, Newcastle and Glasgow – and it’s adapting by hosting live-streamed stand-up comedy gigs every Saturday night at 8.30pm. They’ve been growing in popularity each week, and after a week off are back bigger than ever with host Mark Nelson. Past gigs have seen the likes of John Oliver, Katie Mulgrew and Mark Thomas take to the (virtual) stage.
Saturdays, 8.30pm. Donations welcome.
Think of this streaming service as Netflix for comedy – or even the Edinburgh Fringe in your pocket. Next Up plays host to an enormous catalogue of comedy specials, from circuit legends to up-and-comers. Go on: take a chance on something that catches your eye. Right now, they’re doing a special offer for first-timers, too.
Comedian and artist Annie McGrath has really hit on something with her art-meets-comedy podcast. Every week, she invites a guest to bring an object or select a subject that appeals to them, and together, they’ll draw, paint, and talk about comedy, art and wider issues.
Chances are, someone’s recommended this deliciously hilarious podcast to you at some point. That’s because it’s genuinely terrific. Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster invite a new guest every time to create a dream menu.
Those who need a little more levity in their lives right now (and really, isn’t that all of us?) should head to the website of London’s Soho Theatre. It’s streaming stand-up comedy and theatre by some of the country’s brightest talents – like Josie Long, Mae Martin, Nish Kumar, Dane Baptiste, Shappi Khorsandi, Joel Dommett and more – for just £4 a pop.
