December: perhaps, traditionally, the funniest month in the London comedy calendar.
Oh no it isn’t!
No, really, it is. And if the thought of seeing two poor souls sweating it out in a velour pantomime horse costume doesn’t appeal to you, there’s plenty of other acts ready to tickle your funny bone this month.
They include skewering satire from Olga Koch; the return of Katie Norris‘ critically acclaimed debut hour; an exceptional agony aunt act from Estonian clown Julia Masli; Christmas capers from the likes of Seayoncé and the Sisters of Shesus; fantastic mixed-bill nights headlined by Crizards, Chantel Nash and Paddy Young; and much more besides.
Behold our tightly curated edit of the best comedy shows in London this December:
BEHOLD THE BEST LONDON COMEDY SHOWS THIS MONTH –
1) Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha | Soho Theatre
Ok, so this one has been showered in critical acclaim. Masli is an Estonian clown moonlighting as an agony aunt. Her show is entirely improvised, and involves her approaching audience members, asking ‘Problem?’ before offering up a left-field therapeutic solution. Previous shows have seen audience building their own chair, drinking vodka or volunteering to take their clothes off. It’s consistently hilarious, but also unexpectedly heartwarming. Don’t miss it.
Dinner before: Grab a slice at Cecconi’s Pizza Bar
Drinks after: Sink a cocktail at Louche
Details: Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha runs at Soho Theatre from 3rd December – 11th January. You can book tickets here (£15+).
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2) Crizards’ Crizmas Fundraiser for MAP | The Bill Murray
This fundraiser comedy night has an excellent line-up – and that’s not just us being charitable. Chaired by the critically acclaimed comedy duo Crizards, it features performances from Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees Ania Magliano and Ed Night alongside winner Amy Gledhill; Ireland’s comic polymath Alison Spittle; acclaimed comedian and writer Micky Overman; and rising star Sunil Patel.
Dinner before: Plant-powered Chinese at Tofu Vegan
Drinks after: Drinks that lead to karaoke at The Old Queen’s Head
Details: Crizards’ Crizmas Fundraiser for MAP takes place at The Bill Murray on 10th December. You can book tickets here (£16.66).
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3) The Sisters of Shesus: Christmas at Mum’s | Soho Theatre
A mash-up of Christmas karaoke, 90s dance moves and French and Saunders-style comedy, this show truly has been immaculately conceived. The twins are bringing their eyebrows and their dirty habits back home to mum for the festive season – cue an array of home videos, absurd bits and audience participation. Come for the alternative Christmas party vibes, stay for pass-the-parcel.
Dinner before: Glorious, messy NYC-Italian at Grasso
Drinks after: Join the party at the Little Scarlet Door
Details: The Sisters of Shesus: Christmas at Mum’s runs from 10th-21st December at Soho Theatre. Tickets start at £14 – you can book here.
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4) Catherine Bohart: Again, With Feelings | Soho Theatre
Catherine Bohart’s critically lauded show returns for another run at Soho Theatre, in which she explores the commonly interlinked topics of sex and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, somehow finds humour in the pretty devastating combo of emerging from lockdown while grappling with OCD, and examines the generally disappointing nature of adulthood. An evening where you’ll be in very safe hands indeed.
Dinner before: Fresh pasta feasting at Lina Stores
Drinks after: Cocktails at Zum Barbarossa
Details: Catherine Bohart: Again, With Feelings runs at Soho Theatre until 10th December. Book tickets here (£24+).
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5) Olga Koch Comes From Money | Soho Theatre
Olga Koch is addressing the lavishly attired, heavily bejewelled elephant in the room: financial privilege. It’s a show that confronts, head-on, the stuff that the wealthy are usually quite happy to stay quiet about: how cash flow impacts how loud your voice is, if anyone ‘deserves’ to be rich or poor, and the whole moral philosophy around wealth in society. It’s also a deeply personal show, with searingly raw honesty from Koch. But it’s mainly, you know, really, really funny.
Dinner before: Feel fancy at Dean Street Townhouse
Drinks after: …And stay in budget at The Coach & Horses
Details: Olga Koch Comes From Money runs at the Soho Theatre from 3rd – 21st December. You can book tickets here (£19+).
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6) Gwyneth Goes Skiing | Pleasance Theatre
Gwyneth Paltrow colliding with an optometrist on a ski slope already sounded like the set-up for an improv scene – so it was only a matter of time before someone made a comedy show out of this year’s high profile, nail-biting legal showdown. That ‘someone’ is the sidesplittingly talented company Awkward Theatre, starring Linus Karp as Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Martin as Terry Sanderson and a special video appearance from drag superstar Trixie Mattel.
Dinner before: Candlelight & small plates at Westerns Laundry
Drinks after: Natural vino at Half Cut Market
Details: Gwyneth Goes Skiing runs at the Pleasance Theatre from 11th-21st December. You can book tickets here (£24+).
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7) 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 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 from 4th – 7th December. Book tickets here (£19+).
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8) Bangers and Nash | The Albany
The Albany’s consistently brilliant mixed-bill show returns this month with a stellar line-up of up-and-coming comedians. On the roster: charismatic Up The Creek veteran Gbemi Oladipo; multi-award-winning comedian and The News Quiz regular Ian Smith; Somerset’s own deliciously acerbic Laura Lexx; and natural storyteller Sharifa Butterfly – all compered, as ever, by the infinitely warm and infectiously funny Chantel Nash.
Dinner before: Catch of the day at Sharkbait & Swim
Drinks after: Cocktails and vinyl at Jazu
Details: Bangers & Nash next takes place at The Albany on 13th December. Book tickets here (£11-13).
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9) Katie Norris: Farm Fatale | Soho Theatre
You might have seen Katie Norris as one half of the critically acclaimed comedy duo Norris & Parker. Well, earlier this year she took her very first solo show up to the Fringe, 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 corpsing 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: Start the night with a bang at Gunpowder
Drinks after: Nightcaps at Bar Termini
Details: Katie Norris: Farm Fatale runs at the Soho Theatre from 11th-14th December. Book tickets here (£18+). You can also catch her WIP show at The Bill Murray on 19th December – tickets for that here.
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10) Knock2Bag Comedy Night | MOTH Club
Oddly-named, immaculately-curated – for some time now, Knock2Bag has offered some of the most exciting mixed-bill comedy lineups in London, inevitably jam-packed with a gorgeous combination of established headliners and buzzy newcomers. It’s probably the coolest comedy night in London, and at its home in Hackney’s legendary MOTH Club K2B now serves up a weekly box of delights. Coming up this month: headliners like comedy duo Britney, Sophie Duker and Rich Fulcher (Bob Fossil in The Mighty Boosh!), plus a special ‘awards show’ edition compered by Paddy Young.
Dinner before: Hearty Malaysian dining at Mambow
Drinks after: Make for cult wine bar 107
Details: Knock2Bag Comedy Night is next on at MOTH Club (nearest station Hackney Central) on 12th Dec (Rich Fulcher), 14th Dec (Britney), and 15th Dec (Paddy Young). You can book tickets here (£16.83-20.20).
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11) Seayoncé’s Perky Nativititties | Yard Theatre
Join the festivititties with the inimitable Seayoncé, an all-conquering drag queen mystic – accompanied by her loyal, man-bashing pianist Leslie-Ann – as they ring in the Christmas season with a night of twisted carols, caterwauling, and firmly NSFW party games. The premise: Seayoncé’s finally landed a coveted Christmas telly special, only to be scuppered by the Christmas spirit itself. The result: a thoroughly entertaining evening of filth, highly choreographed nonsense and general debauchery.
Dinner before: Canalside pizzas at CRATE Brewery
Drinks after: Cocktails & jams at All My Friends
Details: Seayoncé’s Perky Nativititties runs at the Yard Theatre from 4th-21st December. Book tickets here (£10+).
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12) The Simple Life & Death | Pleasance Islington
Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have reunited for a special anniversary show 20 years on from their iconic reality show, The Simple Life. But how will they stay on schedule for filming when someone’s gone and done a bloody murder on the farm? The Bitten Peach founder & performer ShayShay joins forces with internet comedy sensation Fizz Sinclair for this joyously campy crime thriller panto that’ll drag you by the rhinestone-studded flares back into Y2K.
Dinner before: Warming laksa at Sambal Shiok
Drinks after: Nightcaps at The Tamil Prince
Details: The Simple Life & Death runs at the Pleasance until 7th December. You can book tickets here (£15+).
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13) Karaoke at the Heart Koch Café | Soho Theatre
Not a stand-up show, but what promises to be a very silly and enjoyable evening of karaoke and ‘demented musical mayhem’ hosted by stalwart of this list, Olga Koch, and musical comedians Two Hearts. It’s basically the ultimate work Christmas party, with people you wish you worked with.
Dinner before: Steaming udon at Koya
Drinks after: Carry on dancing at Little Italy
Details: Karaoke at the Heart Koch Café takes place at Soho Theatre on 13th December. You can book tickets here (£10+).
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14) 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 enviable 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 until 23rd February 2025. Book your tickets here (£27+).
COMEDY SHOWS TO BOOK AHEAD:
Joe Kent-Walters is Frankie Monroe: Live!!! (Soho Theatre, 27th January – 1st February) – Joe Kent-Walters’ alter-ego as ‘Yorkshire’s biggest bastard’, Rotherham working men’s club owner Frankie Monroe, is so popular his November run at Soho Theatre almost immediately sold out. So you’ll want to grab tickets now for his return in the new year if you want to experience his award-winning character comedy. Which you do.
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 (£19+).
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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.
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 (£11.50+).
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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).
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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…