Our selection of London’s alternative, clever and offbeat comedy gigs this week.
Nina Conti
Ventriloquist extraordinare Nina Conti is creating a new show and you can be part of the experience at Hen and Chickens Theatre in Highbury on 29 June. She's improvising a lot of it, so be prepared to join in. £7.50, 7.30pm
Josie Long and Daniel Rigby
Make a night of it at Invisible Dot with two separate work in progress shows at Invisible Dot in King's Cross on 30 June. Josie Long prepares material for her new Edinburgh show at 7.30pm (£8), followed by Daniel Rigby at 9.30pm (£8), creating nonsense and sketch with Mike Wozniak and Cariad Lloyd.
Beasts
Sketch trio Beasts are testing the waters of new material at Canal Cafe Theatre on 1 July, the idea being that success has gone to their heads and they're each doing a solo show. £8 / £7, 7.30pm
Doctor Brown
2012 Edinburgh winner Doctor Brown is creating a show from scratch at the Soho Theatre. He's already had a few nights to establish some good material so see how it's shaping up between 3-5 July. Take props and costumes. £12.50 / £10, 9pm
Abandoman
Hip hop improv team Abandoman headline the Good Ship Comedy night in Kilburn on 3 July, plus Pierre Novellie, Sean McLoughlin and host Ben Van der Velde. £4 adv / £5, 8pm
Arg Com Fest
This comedy festival in Highbury on 5-6 July showcases 32 Edinburgh previews from Bridget Christie, Adam Riches, Josie Long, Josh Widdicombe, Robin Ince and Michael Legge, McNeil and Pamphilon to name but a few. If you're lucky there might still be earlybird day tickets for £19 (rising to £22 later), or £33 for the whole weekend (£36 later).
Tip us off to friendly, intelligent, alternative comedy around town on [email protected], read our guide to watching live comedy in London and our top 10 themed comedy nights.