March. Wordsworth’s favourite month because of the daffodils, of course. He was a big fan of stand-up too, so take his word (ahem) for it and see this lot.

Dead Cat Comedy, Se7en Brothers, Friday 1 March, TBC

The delightful Red Redmond hosts an evening of fine comedy with former rapper from Little Hulton Steve Harris, the Liam Gallagher and serial killer obsessed Rachel Fairburn and the born funny Tom King.

Into the Spring months and as ever the cracking line-ups of top acts and new talent at both The Comedy Store and Frog and Bucket continue. So, get out and support their weekend shows as well as these special shows.

Of course, both clubs are celebrating St Patrick’s Day on Sunday 17 with extra shows full of an all Irish line up. The Frog presents a gong style show every Monday with Beat the Frog whereas The Store’s monthly one is on Sunday 3 with gongmeister Mick Ferry.

Comedians get a chance to test out fledgling material at New Stuff on Sundays 10 and 31 with comedian Toby Hadoke keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

At the Frog, club regular Kiri Pritchard McLean performs her highly acclaimed Edinburgh show from last year Victim, Complex on Tuesday 19 and there’s a line up of European talent on the bill in the Brexit show Never Mind the Backstop Wednesday 27. At the Store meanwhile there’s a fundraiser in Shake with Laughter in aid of Parkinson’s and with the likes of Mick Ferry, Ed Byrne and Mick Miller on the bill.

For the kids the Store puts on its usual Saturday afternoon fun fest Comedy Store for Kids on Saturday 16 and Keith Farnan brings his show Kidocracy to the Frog on Sunday 31.

Ciaran Dowd, The Lowry, Saturday 2 March, £12 (£10 conc)

One third of the anarchically ridiculous sketch troupe Beasts brings his swashbuckling and Best Newcomer Award winning Edinburgh show to Salford – Don Rodolfo.

Group Therapy, Gorilla, Saturday 2 March, £12

The wonderfully whimsical ‘character’ comic John Kearns headlines this lovely gig plus inventive Sheffield based comedian Sean Morley and fantastic tale spinner Tom Wrigglesworth

Andrew Maxwell, The Lowry, Sunday 3 March, £14 (£12 conc)

Provide him with pretty much any political topic and Maxwell will find a both fresh and pertinent slant on it, as well as one that is poetically delivered. Garnering five stars reviews aplenty in Edinburgh last year, it’s Showtime.

Rachel Fairburn, Tribeca, Sunday 3 March, £5.

The co-host and co-creator of the All Killa No Filla podcast tries out new material. Plus more work in progress shows at the venue, check the venue for details.

XSMalarkey, Bread Shed, Every Tuesday, £3 members, £5.

More hand plucked comedy talent from the long running comedy club. On Tuesday 5 it’s – of Walk of Shame fame – Eleanor Morton, Tuesday 12 sees the critical Alex Kealy round off the action. And on Tuesday 19 it’s the turn of Irish talent Eleanor Tiernan to headline. Whereas absurdist Ben Target rounds the month off on Tuesday 26 in confounding a manner.

Barking Tales, Zombie Shack, Wednesday 6 March, donations at the end if you can afford.

The monthly mental health get together where comedians get to talk about and turn their stories of mental ill health into positive laughter. With MC Harriet Dyer as ever hosting Manchester legend Toby Hadoke, Chris Purchase and Marie Goldbourne.

Simon Munnery, Union Theatre, Friday 8 March, £12

Experimental, unexpected and always surprising Munnery never fails to disappoint. Here he is with The Wreath.

Trixie Mattel, O2 Apollo, Saturday 9 March, £33.61 – £83.20

The star and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race series 3, presents Skinny Legend.

Robin Ince, The Lowry, Sunday 10 March, £18.50

A somewhat unsung hero of comedy, sometimes overshadowed by his Infinite Monkey Cage partner Professor Brian Cox, Ince is in possession of a sharp analytical mind. An evening of stimulating entertainment is guaranteed.

Frank Skinner, The Lowry, Tuesday 12 March, £20

A laddish lad no more but still just as astute a comic while maintaining the boyish cheek. Skinner performs new stand up for the first time in five years.

Trapdoor Comedy, The Old Monkey, Wednesday 13 March, £5

Star of new TV series Jerk, Tim Renkow is apparently fearless in his take down of anything that he feels deserves his ire. Gloriously dark, pulls no punches.

Tony Law, The Bread Shed, Thursday 14 March, £15

One of the most innovative comedians around, A Lost Show is Mr Tony’s latest offering. If you’re lucky he might get into his onesy leotard and grab a beach ball for a bit of interpretive dance.

Laughing Calves, TriBeCa, Thursday 14 March, £2.

Little sister gig to Laughing Cows. New female comedians strut their stuff.

Kieran Hodgson, The Lowry, Saturday 16 March, £12 (£10 conc)

A master of character comedy and a must see at the Fringe each year – he’s been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award three times – in 75 Hodgson explores how Britain joined Europe in the first place.

Foil Arms and Hog, O2 Apollo, Saturday 16 March, £20

Irish sketch trio whose observations are familiar ones but so brilliantly executed they’re a must see. Their take Brexit on YouTube is priceless.

No Such Thing As A Fish, The Lowry, Sunday 17 March, £21.50 – £23.50

The fact finding ‘QI elves’ take their podcast on the road once more with In No Particular Order.

George Lewis, The Lowry, Sunday 17 March, £12 (£10 conc)

‘When George was 12, he fell for the most beautiful, most orange girl in Stockport.’ This award-winning, rising star of a comic looks back on his mid 90s teenage years. 

Foxdog Studios, The Lowry, Thursday 21 March, £12 (£10 conc)

Techy shenanigans from the Manchester based duo. In Robot Chef, Pete and Lloyd celebrate the end of an IT contract in Stoke on Trent. Expect nerdy wizardry.

Sindhu Vee, The Lowry, Friday 22 March, currently sold out.

The former banker and still-time mum is one to watch on the comedy circuit. The acerbic Sandhog, her first solo show, was nominated for the Newcomer Award last year at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Trapdoor Comedy, Solomons, Tuesday 26 March, £4 (£3 conc)

Local talent Tony Basnett and Harriet Dyer present two Work in Progress shows.

Rhod Gilbert, The Lowry, Wednesday 27 March, £28.50

Promising ‘no more lies, no more nonsense’, The Book of John sees this brilliant comedian at his most raw and frank after a less than happy year. A national treasure.

Sean McLoughlin, The Patron, Thursday 28 March, £11 (£10 conc)

McLoughlin tries to make sense of the world past present and future in Hail Mary.

Laughing Cows, TriBeCa, Saturday 30 March, £15 (£12 conc)

All lady line up at Hazel O’Keefe’s wonderful long-running gig.

Ladies of Laughter, The Lowry, Sunday 31 March, £15

The star of BBC Asian Network, DJ Noreen Khan hosts an evening of stand up with this all female line up.

By Marissa Burgess, Comedy Editor