Where to find funny this week
Sunday 24 February: Austentatious present an improvised Jane Austen novel before your very eyes at Leicester Square Theatre. We've seen it before; it's genius (7pm, £12.50 / £10).
Monday 25 February: Andrew Maxwell headlines Old Rope at the Phoenix, plus sets from Isy Suttie, Rich Hall, Romesh Ranganathan, Andrew Bird, Tiffany Stevenson and a special guest who 'likes staying in'. Snap up tickets now, this night always sells out (7.40pm, £5).
Tuesday 26 February: Sketch group The Three Englishmen (below) are doing a last-Tuesday-of-the-month new material residency at the Canal Cafe Theatre (7.30pm, £6 / £5). Also check out other new material shows here this week: Robin Ince (Monday, 7.30pm, £8 / £6.50), Alex Horne (Wednesday, 7.30pm, £5) and John Hegley (Thursday, 7.30pm, £5 / £4).
Wednesday 27 February: Head to Hammersmith to see Tim Minchin headline the Apollo for 45 minutes at this Shelter fundraiser. Christian O'Connell also introduces Jimmy Carr, Alistair McGowan, Stewart Francis, Sara Pascoe and The Cuban Brothers (7pm, £23.75-£33.75+bf).
Thursday 28 February: If you're enjoying the return of The Last Leg on Channel 4, Josh Widdicombe gets top billing at Laughing Boy at Cable, near London Bridge. Phil Nichol is also fantastic to watch in small rooms (if exhausting), plus Rory O'Hanlan and Tony Marrese (7.30pm, £10).
Friday 1 March: Bridget Christie is currently recording her own Radio 4 series, so see her now at the Camden Head and be smug when it airs. Also on the bill are Cariad Lloyd, Joz Norris, James O'Brien and Jack De'ath (8pm, £3).
Saturday 2 March: The Pajama Men (pictured) are in London at the moment (you can catch them elsewhere this week), but if you go to Live at the Chapel you can also see the amazingly brilliant Adam Riches (listen to his current Radio 4 show), John Gordillo, Aisling Bea and Ed Gamble (7.45pm, £18 / £16).
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.
