Laugh, and the world laughs with you… and that’s the end of the saying. So with that in mind, we’ve updated our guide to the very best comedy shows in London right now. There’s some old-fashioned stand-up (both skittish & self-mocking), some double act gold, an unhinged one-woman rom-com; and some painfully funny shows that might just make you cry. (With laughter, of course.)
Behold our tightly curated edit of the best comedy shows in London this April:
BEHOLD THE BEST LONDON COMEDY SHOWS THIS MONTH & INTO NEXT MONTH –
Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE ‘Ball & Boe’ | Soho Theatre
In today’s increasingly anodyne, data-driven world, thank the high heavens for Adam Riches. It’s unlikely any algorithm known to man could have predicted that what we all needed was an insane double-act show in which Riches and multi award-winning stand-up John Kearns play cracked versions of Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, in which they bicker incessantly whilst continuously performing variants of big-belting number ‘The Greatest Show’ (you know, the track from The Greatest Showman? Honestly, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t seen it)… but, it turns out, we’ve never needed anything more. It played to rapturous standing ovations during its first run – including from the real-life B&B themselves! – and now it’s back for a well-deserved encore performance. The greatest show? It just might be.
Details: Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE ‘Ball & Boe’ plays at the Soho Theatre from 7th – 19th April. Tickets cost from £25.40 (for Soho members) and are available HERE.
Dinner before: Up at the counter at Kiln
Drinks after: Flamboyant cocktails at Zum Barbarossa
John Tothill | The Bill Murray
One of the most exciting crop of new comedians to emerge from Edinburgh in recent years, Tothill combines an effortlessly engaging confident-yet-skittish stand-up style with the helpful fact that his life appears to be in an ongoing state of total chaos. Last year, whilst performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, his appendix burst midway through the month (he was, astonishingly, back onstage a few days later). Now, in his own words: ‘Join John Tothill as he attempts to monetise what body parts he has left’ as he assembles a new show ahead of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Details: John Tothill plays at The Bill Murray on 13th April. Tickets cost £8.99 and are available HERE.
Dinner before: Trusted Italian at Trullo
Drinks after: Canalside brews at The Narrowboat
Kate Berlant: Live! | Soho Theatre
Genuine question: is anyone better than Kate Berlant right now? We’ve long been huge fans of the American actress and comedian – perhaps the foremost exponent of LA’s current arch, meta, self-involved but self-mocking stand-up style – and she’s back at the Soho Theatre once again, following the sell-out run of her one woman show KATE (directed by no less than Bo Burnham). This run is a work-in-progress, and a chance to witness Berlant’s peerless improvisational style in full flight, as she constructs her brand new show. Essential.
Details: Kate Berlant: Live! plays at the Soho Theatre from 28th April – 3rd May. Tickets cost from £18 and are available HERE.
Dinner before: Quick, but excellent taps at Barrafina
Drinks after: Couple pints at The French House
Natalie Palamides: WEER | Soho Theatre: Walthamstow
It’s finally happening! After over a decade of fundraising, planning permission-wrangling, and general Herculean effort, Soho Theatre are officially cutting the ribbon on their Walthamstow stage – a big, beautiful theatre perfect for expanding the reach of their brilliantly-curated programming. And what better to launch this new space than a one of the most beloved comedy shows to have chaotically made its way through Dean Street in recent months, LA clown and Netflix star Natalie Palamides’ WEER, which makes its East End transfer – yep, that’s a thing now! – and kicks off proceedings on Friday 2nd May. WEER is a one-woman-romcom, it’s spectacularly unhinged, and to say much else would be to spoil the fun. Leap onto the Victoria Line and be there as a new chapter in London’s cultural life begins.
Details: Natalie Palamides: WEER plays at Soho Theatre: Walthamstow from 2nd – 10th May. Tickets cost from £25-£40, and are available HERE.
Dinner before: Go hungry to the truly excellent Yard Sale Pizza
Drinks after: Take your choice of brewery on The Blackhorse Beer Mile
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 from 23rd February – 31st May. Book your tickets here (£27+).
The Pleasance: Work in Progress Season | Pleasance
The Edinburgh Fringe work in progress season is one of the most exciting ways to witness live comedy – it’s a chance to experience a sneak preview of shows from some of the best comedians in the country, whilst ideas are still being played with and jokes are still being fine-tuned. The Pleasance Islington’s legendary WIP season is inevitably the place to be, and this year’s offering is as high quality as ever. Look out for new ideas from peerless character comedian Kieran Hodgson, phenomenal stand-up Chloe Petts, red hot newcomer John Tothill, brilliant sketch trio Crybabies, and so many more.
Dinner before: Warming laksa at Sambal Shiok
Drinks after: Nightcaps at The Tamil Prince
Details: The Pleasance work in progress season runs at Pleasance until the end of July.
Ellie Taylor: Palavering! | Hackney Empire
Flawless all-rounder Ellie Taylor is a TV presenter, viral internet sensation, actress (brilliantly playing Flo “Sassy” Collins in Ted Lasso), and recent Strictly Come Dancing star – but she’s above all-else a superb stand-up, and she’s going back on tour. Palavering! takes to the Hackney Empire, and promises to be a slice of Taylor at her sharp, feel-good, best. She’s tackling motherhood, marriage, and her high-kicking turn as (self-proclaimed) nation’s sweetheart on Strictly.
Dinner before: Pasta, pizza, antipasti at Lardo
Drinks after: Quick tipple at You Call The Shots
Details: Ellie Taylor: Palavering! runs at the Hackney Empire on 17th May. You can book tickets here.
Chelsea Handler: An Abroad Broad | The London Palladium
US comic megastar Handler – television host and six-time New York Times best-selling author – is nipping over to the majestic Palladium to perform her new show. She’s looking forward to a full house, and maybe more (“I have never been more enthusiastic about finding love abroad,” Handler has been quoted as saying). So head into town to fall in love with Handler’s stand-up – and, possibly, the woman herself.
Dinner before: A taste of Mumbai at Bombay Bustle
Drinks after: Subterranean cocktails at Nightjar Carnaby
Details: Chelsea Handler: An Abroad Broad runs at the London Palladium on Saturday 24th May 2025. You can book tickets here.
SOLD OUT BUT GIVE IT A GO….
Almost no-one ‘does’ comedy better than American stand-up Josh Johnson at the moment – he’s a mega viral sensation, he’s a Daily Show Correspondent, and this year he’s released a scarcely-believable 24 hours of stand up. Yes. That’s *24 hours* of stand up – and almost certainly more by the time you’ve read these words. Now, this unthinkably prolific wunderkind is taking his current tour to the UK, where’s he’s playing at the Soho Theatre’s new home in Walthamstow on 23rd and 24th May. Join the waiting list for the chance to see him in action.
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 £10) and are available on the Comedy Store website.
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 £12 a ticket (£7.60 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 £11.99 (£7.60 for students).
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+).
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 performances by Kerry Godliman, Mike Wozniak, Marcus Brigstocke and Ellie Taylor.
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 (£12.50+).
Austentatious | The Apollo 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: Austen would have loved the chops at Blacklock Soho. Probably.
Drinks after: Make wry, witty comments over cocktails at Bar Américain.
Details: Austentatious next plays at the Vaudeville Theatre (nearest tube Piccadilly Circus) until 19th May. You can book tickets here (£21.50+).
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 beer 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…
