If August is the month that London loses all its most talented players to the Edinburgh Fringe, September marks their glorious return to the capital. The city’s comedians have come back in possession of dozens more gushing reviews, prestigious new comedy accolades, and a kind of rare, debilitating hangover-flu that can only be procured through a month of too much drinking, too little sleep, and the realisation that, with hindsight, Edinburgh is much colder than London, even in the summer.
Their lust for performance hasn’t waned, though, and London’s got plenty lined up in the comedy calendar this month, including an al fresco festival littered with big names (and hopefully not actual litter); a man who can melt ice with the power of his jokes; a one-woman show combining Bridgerton parody with neurotic Gen Z dating woes; sketch comedy from one of the most capable troupes in the biz; and a man who recently turned 40, and bought a cape to deal with it.
Behold our tightly curated edit of the best comedy shows playing in London this September:
BEHOLD THE BEST LONDON COMEDY SHOWS THIS MONTH –
1) Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine | Soho Theatre
You’ve got to love a period drama. Imagine a time when women were so overwhelmingly defined by their ability to find (and then capture) an eligible suitor, all before the stroke of midnight (/their late 20s) when they would transform into a haggard old spinster and lose all societal worth? Yes, it’s hard to picture – but Rosalie Minnitt’s debut solo act is a blisteringly funny character comedy that links modern-day anxieties with the quest of a bonneted aristocrat (roughly from ‘the olden days’ era) to find a husband before her 27th birthday. The show was already rolling in praise from the critics after its premiere last year, and fresh off an acclaimed run at the Fringe, you can bet it’s even tighter, more surreal and devastatingly funny this time around.
Dinner before: Grab a slice at Cecconi’s Pizza Bar
Drinks after: Sink a cocktail at Louche
Details: Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine runs at Soho Theatre from 11th-14th September. Book tickets here (£17+).
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2) Greenwich Comedy Festival | Greenwich
The Greenwich Comedy Festival turns 16 this year. But instead of learning to drive a moped and open as many bank accounts as it damn well pleases, it’s celebrating by putting together another fantastic line-up of big name comedy acts for your chuckling pleasure. It all takes place over five days outside the picturesque National Maritime Museum, and there are still tickets for shows with the excellent Phil Wang, Shapparak Khorsandi, Kemah Bob, Ardal O’Hanlon and dozens of other top acts.
Details: Greenwich Comedy Festival runs from 11th-15th September at the National Maritime Museum. Day tickets cost £26.50 – you can book here.
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3) Colin Hoult: Colin | Soho Theatre
Colin Hoult found his feet in comedy when they belonged to somebody else: Anna Mann. His starry alter-ego (‘actress, singer, welder’) won legions of fans over the past few years, until he killed her off last summer (in spectacular, swansong style, of course) in preparation for making his comedy debut as… himself. So this is Colin Hoult being just Colin, in a stand-up show examining ‘family, fatherhood, and a formative childhood experience with a ouija board and a gorilla.’
Dinner before: Start the night with a bang at Gunpowder
Drinks after: Nightcaps at Bar Termini
Details: Colin Hoult: Colin is on at the Soho Theatre from 23rd-28th September. Book tickets here (£18+).
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4) Shoot From The Hip | Leicester Square Theatre
A couple of years ago, describing someone as ‘viral’ would have been a warning to stay the hell away from them. But Shoot From The Hip have gone viral in the good sense, winning legions of fans for their off-the-wall – and yet somehow impressively slick – improv shows. There is literally nothing to indicate what you can expect from their shows, given that it’ll all be entirely made up on the night, but you can go safe in the knowledge that you’re about to have a very, very good time.
Dinner before: Tongue-blistering Thai at Speedboat Bar
Drinks after: Knock on the door of the Experimental Cocktail Club
Details: Shoot From The Hip is performing at the Leicester Square Theatre from 13th September – 10th November. Book your tickets here (£27+).
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5) Bloody Funny | Union Chapel
Some of the funniest women in comedy are getting together at Union Chapel this month in aid of Bloody Good Period, the charity that helps to make products more accessible and reduce the stigma around what is, you know, an entirely natural biological process. The bill so far includes Laura Smyth, Lou Sanders, Bridget Christie, Desiree Burch and Jen Brister as MC, plus one ‘superstar guest’ yet to be announced. Should be hysterical.
Dinner before: Fresh, hand-rolled pasta at Trullo
Drinks after: Lively wines at Yield N1
Details: Bloody Funny is on at Union Chapel (nearest station Highbury & Islington) on 16th September. Tickets start at £16.88 and are available HERE.
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6) Katie Norris: Farm Fatale | Soho Theatre
You might have seen Katie Norris as one half of the critically acclaimed comedy duo Norris & Parker. Well, she’s just returned from a month-long run at the Fringe with her very first solo show, which, fittingly, celebrates her transformation to full ‘cat lady’. Backed by a stellar team (including Elf Lyons as director and Huge Davies on music) she shares melodramatic anecdotes from the world of mid-30s dating, Gen Z flatmates and cat ownership that are so savagely funny, she can’t help laughing as she tells them. If the reviews from Edinburgh are anything to go by, this is the kind of solo debut most comedians can only dream of.
Dinner before: Kebabs of dreams at Berenjak
Drinks after: Slip underground at Bar Lina
Details: Katie Norris: Farm Fatale runs at the Soho Theatre from 23rd – 28th September. You can book tickets here (£17+).
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7) ICEMAN | The Bill Murray
Since this is the return of an act decades after it first hit the circuit (recruiting the likes of Stuart Lee and Jo Brand to its fan club along the way), we’re not sure what to expect from this show, or whether we can indeed recommend it. We’re mainly writing about it so that we can say ‘The Iceman Cometh’. But he cometh to The Bill Murray this month for a rare reprisal of his legendary comedy performance art, which, as far as we can tell, involves using increasingly dramatic tools to melt a block of ice, while telling terrible jokes.
Dinner before: Soak up the last of the sun on the terrace at Bellanger
Drinks after: Cocktails with plenty of ice at The Bar With No Name
Details: ICEMAN is at The Bill Murray on 22nd September. Tickets cost £8.50 and are available HERE.
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8) Chris Cantrill: Easily Swayed | Soho Theatre
Chris Cantrill recently turned 40, and is beginning to have some thoughts of the mid-life crisis variety. So, he reacts the way any modern man struggling with a shifting sense of identity would: by putting on a cape, and enlisting his other 40-something mates to join him on a Lord of the Rings-style quest. It’s been nominated for Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe three times now, which feels like a far more successful way to handle things than getting a leather jacket, a sports car and a questionable tattoo.
Dinner before: Margs and oysters at Rita’s
Drinks after: Subterranean cocktails at Swift
Details: Chris Cantrill: Easily Swayed runs at the Soho Theatre on 19th & 20th September. Book tickets here (£20+).
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9) Greg Larsen: Revolting | The Bill Murray
Join actor and comedian Greg Larsen as he shares every revolting detail about his life to date in a show that sticks a firm two fingers to ‘doing it for the gram’ and instead revels in the glorious, terrible mess that can come from living real life. And if a show that spans playing in a far-right fighting punk band to being paid to catfish in the porn industry can pull in rave reviews and a fistful of awards, that’s surely something worth witnessing.
Dinner before: Plant-powered Chinese at Tofu Vegan
Drinks after: Go and make some memories at The Old Queen’s Head
Details: Greg Larsen: Revolting is on at The Bill Murray on 11th & 12th September. You can book tickets here (£10).
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10) Austentatious | The Arts Theatre
The phrase ‘Improvised Jane Austen comedy show’ might, conceivably, send a shudder down the spine of the prospective theatregoer – but that’s only if they’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, and haven’t heard of the critically-adored, five star, sell-out, now-performing-regularly-in-the-West-End triumph that is Austentatious. A pool of London’s finest improvisers contribute to this well-loved, well-dressed, and impeccably-delivered show in which, with the help of a title collected from a pool of audience suggestions (near-misses are also read out at the start, and there are invariably some bangers), an entire narrative is spun from nothing before your very eyes. Loosen your bodices, and bring your smelling salts – you may well laugh yourself into a state of hysteria.
Dinner before: London’s best-value steaks at Flat Iron Covent Garden
Drinks after: 19th century cocktails at Mr Fogg’s Tavern
Details: Austentatious plays Mondays and occasional Sundays at the Arts Theatre (nearest tube Leicester Square). You can book tickets here (from £22.90 standing).
COMEDY SHOWS TO BOOK AHEAD:
Live At The Chapel (Union Chapel, 5th October) – A monthly fixture for those who are religious about their comedy. Union Chapel is a stunning venue, and the lineups at this iconic night are equally impressive. This October, your comedy prayers have been answered, and you’re getting a stellar line-up featuring catsuit fanatic Phil Wang; the inimitable Lou Sanders; Friday Night Dinner’s Tom Rosenthal; up-and-coming funny man Rohan Sharma; and the veritably award-laden Ian Smith.
Vittorio Angelone: Who Do You Think You Are? I Am! (Union Chapel, 10th October) – Vittorio Angelone is something of a sell-out, in the sense that he tends to sell out every show that he plays. And also that he shamelessly moved on from his humble roots to the bright lights of London the moment he started doing that. Here, he’s looking inwards and indulging in a little introspection, which given that he’s half Irish, half Italian, leads to some rather interesting places. Check him out on the tik toks or the you tubes and you’ll probably contribute to his selling out too.
Tarot: Shuffle (Soho Theatre, 21st – 26th October) – This sketch comedy trio have held onto their cult following, even if they’ve been technically demoted from ‘Best Show’ in 2019 to ‘Sixth Best Show’ in 2022. But their latest creation, Shuffle, is a choose-your-own-adventure hour of such joyful, high energy absurdism that their self-professed ‘descent into mediocrity’ might just be interrupted.
Hannah Gadsby – Woof! (Palladium, 4th – 7th November) – Gadsby’s 2018 show Nanette propelled the Aussie comedian to stardom, winning a slew of awards and leading to sell-out shows around the world. And now they’re back with a brand new stand-up show that attempts to make sense of the catastrophic, hypocritical world we all live in. Small fry, then.
Stewart Lee vs. The Man-Wulf (Leicester Square Theatre, 3rd December – 17th January) – Britain’s 41st best stand-up comedian returns with a reassuringly long run that you might actually be able to get tickets to. Prepare for a brand new onlaught of highly conceptual material that’s far too good for you, as Stew ruts with the spectre of lazy, increasingly far right arena-packing stand-up.
THE BEST REGULAR COMEDY CLUB SHOWS
The Comedy Store Players | The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store Players is a London institution so long-running and baked into the fabric of the city that one almost forgets about it – a bit like the Tower of London’s Ceremony of the Keys (only slightly less ridiculous). The Players have been doing improv since long before it was, well, if not ‘cool’, then ‘ubiquitous’, and they are genuine comedy legends; among their number are Josie Lawrence, a member of the original Whose Line Is It Anyway cast, superlative character-comedian and Showstopper mainstay Pippa Evans, and acclaimed comic writer-performer David Reed of The Penny Dreadfuls. If you’re planning on ‘yes and’-ing your way to a reliable night of unscripted comedy in the heart of central London, you could scarcely do better.
Dinner before: Chicken, chicken and more chicken at FOWL
Drinks after: A pint at The Devonshire
Details: The Comedy Store Players play at the Comedy Store (nearest tube stations Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus) every Sunday. Tickets start at £22 (concessions £17, students £12) and are available HERE.
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The Blackout | Up The Creek Comedy Club
From its raucous beginnings, when it was launched by the legendary/infamous Malcolm Hardee (those of a strong constitution can Google ‘Malcolm Hardee + firework + buttocks’ to read about his trademark act), Up The Creek has evolved to become a jewel in the crown of South London’s stand-up scene, and one of the most beloved comedy clubs in the capital. Head to one of the weekend shows and you’ll find headliners galore – Mo Gilligan is a frequent performer, and circuit legends including Slim and Rudi Lickwood are regulars – but for a taste of the next generation of comic talent head along to The Blackout; 15 up-and-coming comedians, each attempting to get through five minutes. It’s UTC’s version of the gong show, it’s an adrenaline-filled evening, and at under a tenner a ticket (£3.50 for students!) it’s one of the best-value nights out there is.
Dinner before: Head to one of London’s staple pie joints, Goddard’s
Drinks after: A couple of pints at one of the best Greenwich pubs
Details: ‘The Blackout’ is on at Up The Creek Comedy Club (nearest stations Cutty Sark and Greenwich) every Thursday. Tickets start at £8.80 (£3.50 for students).
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Banana Cabaret | The Bedford
A stalwart of Balham’s nightlife, Banana Cabaret offers a bunch of top tier acts in a hugely a-peel-ing (boooo) environment. The Bedford has a unique performance space that is beautifully suited to live comedy, and for a night of relaxed stand-up with a drink and dinner, there are few more dependable options. You’d be bananas not to.
Dinner before: Gurkha’s Diner is a Nepalese gem
Drinks after: henny’s for a glass of something nice
Details: ‘Banana Cabaret’ is on at The Bedford (nearest station Balham) every Friday & Saturday. Book tickets here (£20).
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Always Be Comedy | The Tommyfield
Is there a better-loved MC in the business than James Gill? Is there a more lovingly-curated comedy club in the world than Always Be Comedy? Thousands of audience members – and, for that matter, thousands of comedians – would argue that the answer to both questions is a resounding and triumphant no. From its longtime home above the Tommyfield pub in Kennington, ABC hosts some of the very best mixed bill nights, Edinburgh previews, to a raucous but loving audience of regulars. In short, it’s everything a comedy club should be – and this month, you can catch shows from Maisie Adam, Iain Stirling and Ania Magliano.
Dinner before: Pizza goodness at Theo’s Pizzeria
Drinks after: A spot of jazz at Cable Café Bar
Details: Always Be Comedy runs at the Tommyfield (nearest station Kennington) Tuesday – Friday. You can book tickets here (£13).
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Angel Comedy | The Camden Head
Top quality comedy, seven nights a week, completely free. Angels by name, Angels by nature – their ‘RAW’ free comedy night at the Camden Head is one of the capital’s most precious comedy resources, with a weeknight gig offering new acts the chance to perform in a warm and positive environment, frequently alongside some comic heavyweights. All-star drop-ins are frequent, the atmosphere is celebratory, the room is always full yet it’s somehow just about possible to squeeze in if you want to. Angel Comedy is pure heaven.
Dinner before: Farm-to-table cooking at The Pig & Butcher
Drinks after: Craft pints at The Earl of Essex
Details: Angel Comedy offers free comedy gigs at the Camden Head (nearest tube station Angel) every night. Arrive early to ensure you gain entry (30-60 mins before the start time) – once it’s full, it’s full.
Want all of this without the comedy nonsense? Check out our guide to London’s best theatre shows…