Beware the Ides of March. It didn’t work out too well for Julius Caesar.

Here’s hoping no one in the listings below metaphorically dies this month either. Not likely. Top comedy for Manchester in March.

It’s funny business as usual at the city’s two dedicated comedy venues The Frog and Bucket and The Comedy Store with a full line-up at both venues on most nights of the month.

As well as the pro acts at the weekend and Beat the Frog amateur comp night on Mondays, Sunday 5 sees the latest batch of students graduate the Frog’s comedy course with the Comedy Course Showcase, go and show your support. Then, Work In Progress night WIP is on Wed 8th, there’s a St Patrick’s Day special on Friday 17th, the guys over from Leeds present their own brand of monthly improv in the Discount Comedy Checkout and Laughing Cows all female line-up rounds the month off of special gigs on Sunday 26th.

Over on Deansgate Locks at The Comedy Store, their newbie gong night King Gong is, as usual, on the first Sunday of the month on the 5th is new material night New Stuff is on Sunday 12th and 26th and Sunday 19th sees seasoned pro Alex Boardman’s present his favourite New Comedians. In addition, there’s a special charity night on Monday 13th raising cash for Parkinson’s disease Shake With Laughter where Mick Ferry introduces Sarah Millican, Gary Delaney and Adam Bloom. Of course, the remainder of the month is stuffed full of pro weekends too.

Tom Allen and Suzi Ruffell, The Lowry, Thu 2 Mar, £10 – £12

These two rising comedy stars continue their doubling up tour. Allen presents his latest hour of stand-up while Ruffell explores her family’s story in Common. Frog and Bucket

Comedy @ Chorlton Irish Club, Fri 3 Mar, £12 (£10 conc)

One of the most persistently controversial comedians about makes a trip to Manchester – Ian Cognito. Then there’s the creator and star of BBC’s Hebburn Jason Cook, and support from Catherine Bohart. Danny McLoughlin emcees.

Group Therapy, Gorilla, Sat 4 Mar, £15 (£13 members)

Yet another great line up from the GT folk. Top local oddball Phil Ellis introduces ethereally odd poet Tim Key, there are smart observations from Sean McLoughlin and GT newcomer LA comedian Omid Singh.

Comedy at The Lowry, Sun 5 Mar

Once again comedy takes over The Lowry for the first Sunday of the month. In the big room is the square shouldered, doddering Count Arthur Strong (£22.50) – one of the finest comedy characters Count Arthur Strongof the last decade. Straight-talking Glaswegian Susan Calman (£17) takes on the middle room, and the ever controversial Andrew Lawrence tackles the uncomfortable in the little room (£12-£14).

Lettuce Laugh, Kro Bar, Mon 6 Mar, £5 (£4 adv/NUS/NHS)

With former Little Hulton rapper Steve Harris plus Adam Staunton, Hannah Platt, Brandon Craig and MC Jonathan Paylor.

XSMalarkeyXS Malarkey, Pub Zoo, Every Tuesday, £5, £3 members

Yet another great line-up at the long running club. Tues 7th sees laid back tales from Carl Donnelly and Tues 14th it’s joke merchant Julian Deane’s turn to headline. Confessional Aussie live wire Felicity Ward is on 21st and Chester’s own Danny McLoughlin round off the month on the 28th. Plus full and fine support each week.

Jamie McDonald, The Lowry, Wed 8 Mar, £12 (£10)

The affable Scot talks about his life without sight, as well as plenty of other adventures.

Dead Cat, Sand Bar, Wed 8 Mar, Pay What You Want

This month the delightfully batshit Canadian Bobby Mair makes his Dead Cat début. With support from Tom King and newcomers Ally Allerton and Hannah Platt.

Sham Bodie, Soup Kitchen, Thu 9 Mar, £5Sham-Bodie-Castle-Hotel

Stand-up sets from Harriet Dyer and Simon Lomas, a ‘strange character’ new to the Shammers – Ad ‘Dougie’ Douglas, Manchester psych band Mother, plus hot dogs and Game of Chance.

Comedy at The Lowry, Sun 12 Mar

And here we go again with another Sunday of comedy at The Lowry. In the big room it’s the turn of the cheeky, cheery Geordie and star of BBC‘s Hebburn Chris Ramsey (£23.50). Sophie Willan (£14.50-£16.50) presents her moving yet hilarious take on a childhood in care in On Record. Then there are big big hugs for all in the studio as Patrick Monahan £14 (£12 conc) takes a look at life growing up mixed race in 80s Teeside.

Suspiciously Cheap Comedy, New Adelphi Building, Mon 13 Mar, £5

Organised by the Gein’s Family Gift Shop guys and usually put on in London, it certainly is suspiciously cheap given the talent on this bill. Their mate Goose hosts introducing barking characters from Adam Riches, of What Would Beyonce Do? Fame – Luisa Omielan and acclaimed storyteller Alun Cochrane and of course some very dark skits from Gein’s themselves.

Ricky Gervais, 02 Apollo, Mon 13 & Tue 14 Mar, sold out

The sarky, funny manchild with a conscience presents another full length show Humanity.

The Delightful Sausage, Gullivers, Wed 15 Mar, £4

Sausage makers Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill present the usual blend of delightfully oddball chipolatas this month with retired and bewildered TV programmer Peter Fleming plus support from Dan Nicholas, Top Joe, and regular troublemaker Barnaby J Thompson.

John ShuttleworthJohn Shuttleworth, The Dancehouse, Sun 19 Mar, £17 (£15 conc)

After a recent bout of athlete’s foot Sheffield’s favourite retired security guard considers mortality in My Last Will and Tasty Mint.

Comedy at The Lowry, Sun 19 Mar

Almost a third Sunday takeover bid of The Lowry. This week Richard Herring (£18) presents The Best two decades of shows and gags. And Charlie Baker (£10-£12) jokes, sings and probably dances a bit of the way through The Hit Polisher.

Tongue in Cheek Comedy, Morley Cheeks Chorlton, Tue 21 Mar, £3

Cosy gig in Chorlton, this moon cycle with sharp Canadian Allyson June Smith and legend in his own back garden if no where else – Liam Pickford.

Eddie Izzard, The Lowry, Thu 23 Mar, £18 per show

Displaying a thirst for tests of endurance previously displayed by Izzard in his multiple marathons, the surrealist comedian performs his latest show Force Majeure three times back to back in German (7pm), French (8pm) and English (9pm).

Group Therapy 2, Tiger Lounge, Thu 23 Mar, £5

The guys at GT present another extra gig at Tiger Lounge with acclaimed newcomer Jamali Maddix performing his début hour Chickens Come Home To Roost. A street smart comic with some inspired insights to share.

Stand-Up For Refugees, The Lowry, Fri 24 Mar, £22.50

Simply that. Great comedy in aid of Help Refugees. With the likes of Sarah Millican, Jason Manford, Kerry Godliman and Isma Almas.

Russell Howard

Lettuce Laugh, The Slug and Lettuce, Didsbury, Fri 24 Mar, £10 (£8 adv)

Lettuce’s own Jonathan Paylor introduces the exuberant talents of Dan Nightingale, the as seen on First Dates Hotel Lou Conran plus one more to be confirmed.

Omid Djalili, The Lowry, Sun 26 Mar, £27

The seasoned British Iranian comic with his latest show Schmuck For A Night.

Sara Pascoe, The Lowry, Fri 31 Mar, £13

Having just released a book of the same name Animal, it’s safe to expect intelligent, thought out but witty ideas from Pascoe on the human condition.

Russell Howard, Manchester Arena, Fri 31 Mar, £28-£36

The star of Good News, assuredly funny and all round good guy, Howard pops into the Arena for the latest dates on his Round The World tour.

By Melissa Burgess, Comedy Editor

 

To read our recent interview with comedian Steve Delaney, the funny man behind Count Arthur Strong, click here.