Here's a selection of choice comedy gigs for you to enjoy this week, while some fools go all the way to Edinburgh for laughs.
Phoenix Fringe
We're agog at the sheer number of brilliant comedians appearing at the Phoenix Fringe over the next week, in the basement of the Phoenix pub on Cavendish Square. You can still get tickets for Rufus Hound and friends, very sharp and wonderful metaller Andrew O'Neill, Katherine Ryan, Andy Zaltzman, Robin Ince, Isy Suttie, Shappi Khorsandi and actual Russell Howard off the telly. Loads more acts too, but check them out for yourselves. Tickets £8 + bf per show, £20 + bf for a day ticket.
Camden Fringe
If you want to take a more discerning approach to the Fringe than us, where we just sat at a venue for six hours and watched everything, try these for size. We enjoyed Iszi Lawrence's show three years ago and are slightly baffled to find her still under the radar, so help remedy that at the Camden Head 7-11 August, 8pm (£7.50 / £5). Or see Conference, which is mainly from the brains of Leisa Rea and Cecily Giddings, but also features the rather amazing talents of Jen Brister, Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Frog Stone, at the Etcetera Theatre 7-8 August, 9pm (£7.50).
Luke McGregor
Aussie Luke bagged the Best Newcomer award at this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival and this is the show what won it for him. See My Soulmate is Out of my League at the Soho Theatre 5-17 August, 7.30pm (£10-£15).
99 Club
Holly Walsh, Prince Abdi and Josh Howie comprise a pretty hot line-up for the 99 Club, off Leicester Square, on Thursday 8 August. Doors open 7.30pm, tickets cost £9 if you book in advance.
Tip us off to friendly, intelligent, alternative comedy around town [email protected], read our guide to watching live comedy in London and our top 10 themed comedy nights.
