Our pick of this week’s comedy gigs – plus Edinburgh previews
Sunday: Michael Legge's Private Hell – and, given the angry state of his mind, we're not sure we want to dwell on that concept very long – is at the Phoenix on Cavendish Square, with guests Bridget Christie, Nick Helm and Caroline Mabey (3pm, £5).
Head south to Forest Hill where Jess Fostekew and Owen O'Neill are previewing Edinburgh shows at The Hob (7.30pm, £8 / £6).
Monday: If you're feeling charitable, there's a fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support at the Comedy Store with Paul Sinha, John Moloney, Rob Deering, Sean Collins, Steve Gribbin and MC Dave Johns (8pm, £15).
A very different type of night is happening at the Soho Theatre, where Alternative Comedy Memorial Society members Thom Tuck, John-Luke Roberts, Nadia Kamil and others pitch up with guests Robin Ince, Cariad Lloyd and Waen Shepherd (8pm, £10, so you could also donate the extra fiver to Macmillan).
Tuesday: Fresh from their E4 sketch show, Cardinal Burns hit the Udderbelly (9pm, £12.50).
A triple bill of Edinburgh previews at Leicester Square Theatre from sketch trio Pappy's (7pm, £7 / £5), Carl Donnelly (8.30pm, £5) and Marcus Brigstocke (10pm, £6 / £5).
Wednesday: Rich Hall (pictured) presents his mix of music and comedy at the Soho Theatre (9.30pm, £15 / £12.50). He's here til next Thursday but the next three nights have already sold out, so get in fast.
A choice of two sketch previews tonight: The Beta Males at Leicester Square Theatre (7pm, £8 / £6) or Jigsaw + one other act, which may be Seann Walsh, at The Comedy Bar in Islington (7.30pm, £6 / £5).
Thursday: Popcorn Comedy returns to the Roxy in Borough (7.30pm, £6 / £9). Rob Rouse, Joe Wilkinson and Holly Walsh have made short films for you to enjoy.
Paul Chowdhry previews his new show What's Happening White People at the Balham Comedy Festival (10pm, £8).
Friday: Fancy comedy in a bus-slash-pizzeria in Deptford? Then this is the night for you. Seriously original comic Nick Sun headlines, with support from Mark Quinn, poet/comedian Richard Tyrone-Jones, Frog Morris, Jack Gardner and Nicolette Minster (8.30pm, £4 / £5).
One-third of WitTank Naz Osmanglu and showcase The Comedy Zone share a double bill of previews at the Pleasance (7.30pm, £10) and Mark Thomas tests out his new show at Camden's Etcetera Theatre (9.30pm, £12.50).
Saturday: Mark Watson is top of the bill at the latest Live at the Chapel show, with Danny Bhoy, Tom Basden, Claudia O'Doherty and the brilliant, grizzled, Arthur Smith MCing (7.45pm, £18 / £16).
Greg Davies is trying out new material on a big stage at Udderbelly (7.45pm, £15.50).
Book ahead: London is Funny has put together a list of big name comics – including Eddie Izzard, Sarah Millican, Dara O'Briain and Alan Davies – currently booking.
Tip us off to friendly, intelligent, alternative comedy around town [email protected] and read our guide to watching live comedy in London.
