An autumn of comedy in Liverpool and beyond
The Edinburgh Fringe is in full swing – but if you can’t get north of the border to see any of the top and rising comedy acts this year, never fear.
Because many of them are heading our way in what is a packed programme of stand up for the autumn season in Liverpool and beyond.
In addition to the usual city comedy clubs, September sees the annual Liverpool Comedy Festival, while October sees the seventh annual Southport Comedy Festival attract some household names to the town.
In addition, many funnymen and women are bringing their solo shows to a location near you between now and Christmas.
Here’s a round-up of just some of them.
Jimmy Carr (above) is still touring his The Best of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits tour, and he’s got a date with St Helens Theatre Royal on September 9. Later in the season, he brings the show to The Auditorium at the Echo Arena for two nights, December 9-10.
First up to the mic in Liverpool itself next month is Stewart Lee, who brings his Content Provider show to the Philharmonic Hall for two nights, on September 14-15. Tickets are reportedly selling fast, so try the website HERE.
The sharp-tongued, sharply dressed Tom Allen presents Absolutely, his debut solo tour, at The Atkinson at on September 15.
Meanwhile the Epstein Theatre is the location for Our Rita’s on September 17-18, offering two nights of comedy from Joe Lycett and Co. More HERE.
Micky Flanagan (above) pays another visit to the Echo Arena with his An’ Another Fing show, playing two nights, September 19-20, following an extra date which was added earlier this summer.
Mark Thomas’ critically-acclaimed The Red Shed reaches The Atkinson on September 20.
Comedy troubadour Steve Gribbin makes a date for the Philharmonic Hall Music Room on September 21 as part of the Liverpool Comedy Festival, with his railway-themed show Shunted Again! Tickets HERE.
Top Joe, who won the Echo comedian award at last year’s Liverpool Comedy Festival, presents Top Joe’s Mass at the Everyman Bistro on September 23, as part of this year’s festival programme.
‘Magnificent Beast’ Greg Davies (below) is at the Liverpool Empire for two nights on September 25-26, presenting his first live stand-up show in four years.
Irish hip-hop comedy freestyle duo Abandoman make a date with the Epstein Theatre on September 27 as part of the 2017 Liverpool Comedy Festival, bringing their fictional autobiography show to the city.
Meanwhile Gavin and Stacey star and Would I Lie to You host Rob Brydon is another big name making a date for the Liverpool Empire. Expect witty audience interaction and funny stories at his show on September 29.
Milton Jones is Out There, but also at The Auditorium at the Echo Arena, on October 1 with more of his inimitable surreal one-liners and off the wall observations.
Make Something Great Again For Stronger Better Future Tomorrow Together is the improbably long title of Scotsman Danny Bhoy’s inaugural solo tour, coming to the Floral Pavilion on October 13.
I’m a Celebrity runner-up Joel Dommett (above) makes a date for the Philharmonic Hall, also on October 13, as part of an autumn extension to his well-received tour
And it’s a busy night for comedy fans as October 13 also sees political satirist Matt Forde at The Atkinson in Southport.
Liverpool superstar funnyman John Bishop returns to the Echo Arena for a three-night run, from October 20-22, with his new live show Winging It. More from the website HERE.
Simon Day: In Character, at The Atkinson on October 25, sees The Fast Show star revive four favourite characters including pub bore Billy Bleach and habitual criminal Tony Beckton.
Irishman Jimeoin arrives at the Floral Pavilion on October 28 with Ridiculous – get tickets from the website HERE.
Former Never Mind the Buzzcocks host Simon Amstell’s What Is This? Is his fifth stand-up tour. He comes to the Epstein Theatre on November 2 promising a deeply personal (and funny) exploration of beauty, intimacy, freedom, sex and love.
Stand-up, poet, improviser and ‘TV stalwart’ Phill Jupitus brings Juplicity to The Atkinson on November 11. Expect adult themes and conversation, “but delivered childishly. Details HERE.
St George’s Hall Concert Room hosts Lee Nelson on, November 16 as part of his Serious Joker tour which has been extended in to the autumn.
He’s currently starring as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, but Omid Djalili returns to stand-up in the autumn with an appearance at the Floral Pavilion on November 16. More HERE.
Jason Byrne is The Man With Three Brains, as he will be telling the Epstein audience when he returns to the theatre on November 23 with his latest live tour.
The Atkinson is the venue to catch Mancunian comedian Justin Moorhouse (below) and his new live show People and Feelings on November 24.
Paul Chowdhry is Live Innit at St George’s Hall Concert Room on November 25, and if you miss him there you can also catch him at The Atkinson in Southport on December 20.
Dave Spikey is celebrating 30 years in comedy, and the Farnworth funnyman brings his Juggling on a Motorbike tour to St George’s Hall Concert Room on December 1.
Laughterhouse makes its regular pre-Christmas visit to the Philharmonic Hall, this time on December 3 when the line-up features Tom Stade, Daliso Chaponda, Jo Caulfield, Chris Cairns and two TV comedians yet to be announced. Tickets HERE.
And finally, tickets are limited for 8 Out of 10 Cats regular Jon Richardson, who returns to the Philharmonic Hall on December 8 in his favourite cardie and his show The Old Man. Check the website HERE for availability.