Our pick of this week’s comedy gigs – plus Edinburgh previews
Sunday: The Actually Rather Good Comedy Festival in Kings Cross looks actually, er, rather good. Previews from 18 acts, including German Henning Wehn, batshit character comedian Colin Hoult, sketch groups Sheeps and Pappy's, smart Bridget Christie, angry Michael Legge and inventive Claudia O'Doherty. It all starts at 12pm (£20 / £16).
Simon Munnery has a tiny camera and a big screen and is working out the funniest ways to use them at the Leicester Square Theatre (6pm, £8).
Monday: Andy Zaltzman's Political Animal show has guests Michael Legge, Tiffany Stevenson and Joe Wells, putting the world to rights at the Soho Theatre (7.45pm, £10).
Catch previews from Sean Hughes at Camden's Etc Theatre (7.30pm, £9.50) and beautifully constructed gags from Wil Hodgson and Carey Marx down the road at the Camden Head (8pm, £3).
Tuesday: The Horne Section previews at the Pleasance tonight and tomorrow. Get some jazz-comedy down you (8pm, £5). Other previews around town from Sean Lock at Deansways (7.30pm, £5) and Luisa Omielan asking: What Would Beyonce Do? at the Top Secret Comedy Club (8.15pm, free).
Wednesday: Invisible Dot are doing their barbeque previews in Camden: see a double bill (today it's Edinburgh-shortlisted, frantic Sam Simmons and Oyster Eyes) and get a burger or hot dog in the interval (7.45pm, £7).
There's a preview double bill from Danielle Ward at Leicester Square Theatre: Play Dead horror stories (7pm, £5) and Speakeasy (8.30pm, £5). Stick around and also see Cariad Lloyd at 10pm (£8.50 / £7.50).
Thursday: There are songs from Helen Arney, topical jokes from Kate Smurthwaite and characters from Gemma Arrowsmith in a triple bill at the Revival Festival at Marylebone Gardens (7.30pm, £8).
Lucy Porter and Phil Nichol preview their shows at Crack Comedy's Islington club (8pm, £7).
Friday: The 99 Club in Leicester Square has sets from JJ Whitehead, Kerry Godliman and 'a secret set from someone who's been on Lead Balloon, Live at the Apollo and Shooting Stars' – so that's Jack Dee, then (8.30pm, £12).
In a preview double bill at Jacksons Lane, Mark Restuccia explains how to succeed at internet dating and Rachel Stubbings solves your problems (8pm, £10).
Saturday: There's comedy for kids at the Rosendale pub in Dulwich with Spatula, Hayley Crossland and James Gill (12.45pm, £2.50). Later, Dave Gorman brings his Powerpoint Presentation to the Bloomsbury Theatre (8pm, £20).
Bourgeois and Maurice preview their new show Sugartits (excellent) at Soho Theatre for a bargain fiver (9.30pm).
Have a look at Oyster Eyes in action before Wednesday's show (NSFW):
Tip us off to friendly, intelligent, alternative comedy around town [email protected] and read our guide to watching live comedy in London.
