Our selection of London’s alternative, clever and offbeat comedy gigs this week.
Bill Bailey
The bearded one is working out a new show and you can see what he has so far at Leicester Square Theatre on 7 April. Always good for some off-the-cuff riffing, this is a great chance to see him even more informal than usual. £13, 10pm
Sheeps / Liam Williams
Make it a double bill on 7 April with works in progress from both sketch trio Sheeps (also 8-9 April) at 9.30pm (£8), preceded by its misanthropic third, Liam Williams, at 7.45pm (£6)
Luisa Omielan
There's a free hour of work in progress material from Luisa Omielan (her previous show What Would Beyonce Do? sold out the Soho Theatre) at Angel Comedy in the N1 Camden Head pub — not the one in NW1 — on 8 April. Show starts at 8pm
Melmoth Darkleigh
It's been a year since Margaret Thatcher died, so Melmoth Darkleigh Mind F*cker is going to attempt to raise her spirit at the Leicester Square Theatre Lounge. Melmoth is plucked from the mind of Nathaniel Tapley, who you might know better as Sir Ian Bowler, MP. 8-9 April, £10 / £8, 9.30pm
Pippa Evans
More work in progress, this time at Hammersmith's Riverside Studios from musical / character / hilarious comedian Pippa Evans on 10 April. £5, 8pm
Udderbelly
The upside-down purple cow is back on the South Bank. There's a launch night on 10 April featuring Andrew Maxwell, Tony Law, Brendon Burns, Phil Nichol and more (£17.50, 9pm), swiftly followed by Nina Conti on 11 April (£15.50, 7.30pm) and Omid Djalili on 12 April (£25, 7.45pm).
Tip us off to friendly, intelligent, alternative comedy around town on hello@londonist.com, read our guide to watching live comedy in London and our top 10 themed comedy nights.