June, the month that never, ever gets dark. Apart from on the inside of comedy clubs. So, head out and sit comfortably in the dark to see this lot while the sun’s still out. As ever, Manchester’s dedicated comedy clubs have a full line-up this June.
At The Comedy Store the Toby Hadoke hosts those pro comics who are testing out their New Stuff on Sundays 9 and 30. On Saturday 15 it’s the kids’ turn with Comedy Store for Kids, plus there’s a Father’s Day Special the next day for the Dads. Then on Sunday 23, Alex Boardman presents his favourite New Comedians.
At The Frog on Sunday 2 the Funny Women peeps are in the house firstly with an early show that features a heat of this year’s all female competition. Then there follows a showcase of Funny Women alumni from over the years.
On Sunday 23 What Would Beyonce Do?!’s Luisa Omielan tests out material for her latest show then the following Sunday 30 another competition drops by, the long running So You Think You’re Funny? with its Northern heat.
The Rutles, Gorilla, Sunday June 2, £22.50
This legendary Beatles parody originally appeared on Eric Idle’s Rutland Weekend Television in the 70s, eventually extending the gag to become the movie All You Need Is Cash. Created by Ex Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band’s Neil Innes and iconic drummer John Halsey here they Get up & Go Again.
The Didsbury Comedy Club, Didsbury Cricket Club, £9; The Heatons Comedy Evening, The Heatons Sports Club, £9; Sunday June 2.
Jewish old timer Sol Bernstein and the ever-controversial Andrew Lawrence do the doubling up this month while Jon Wagstaffe is in support with Allyson June Smith emceeing in Didsbury and Sarah Louise Keegan in the middle and MC Tom Wrigglesworth in The Heatons.
James Acaster, The Lowry, Monday June 3, Curretnly sold out.
A drunken fridge raid, a WhatsApp group and thoughts about 1999 being the best year of his life led Acaster to name his latest show Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999. Who knows what it will actually be about? But no doubt it’ll be good.
Justin, Alun and Some Mates, The Lowry, Monday June 3, £5
Justin Moorhouse and Alun Cochrnae invite some of their comedian friends to try out new material.
XSMalarkey, The Bread Shed, Every Tuesday, £5 (£3 members)
It’s Edinburgh Preview Shows season at XS so if you can’t get to the Fringe this year get a sneak preview of these shows. On Tuesday 4 American comic Desiree Burch and Barking Tales’ Harriet Dyer present their shows, the following week on Tuesday 11 it’s cerebral offerings from both Glenn Moore and Jonny Pelham. Then on Tuesday 18 the experimental Jordan Brookes and New Yorker Sara Barrow with livewire Rob Rouse and Helen Rutter rounding the month off on 25.
Barking Tales, Zombie Shack, Wednesday June 5, Donations if desired.
The as featured on the BBC comedy show where it’s safe to talk and laugh about our mental health. This month with Little Hulton’s own Steve Harris, Scott Gibson and Lindsey Davies.
Reg D Hunter, The Lowry, Wednesday June 5, £24.50-£26.50
The skilled raconteur celebrates his twenty years in comedy with another show of divine revelation in Facing the Beast.
Trapdoor Comedy
Loads going on in Trapdoor world this month. There are two extra shows at The Old Monkey with Harriet Kemsley presenting Slutty Joan (£8) on Wednesday 5 then Milo McCabe is in 1001 Moments with Troy Hawke (£10) on Wednesday 19. Plus, there will be regular stand up nights on Tuesday 11t at Solomons and Wednesday12 at The Old Monkey, the line ups for which are to be confirmed.
Tom Stade, The Lowry, Wednesday June 5, £21
One of those comedians you really need to see at least once. With I Swear To… the UK based Canadian ruminates on everything from feelings to FaceTime and exactly when did all his stuff become vintage?
Hot Water Comedy, Theatre Impossible, Every Thursday, £10
Liverpool based comedy club branches out into woolyback territory opening a new night in the heart of Mancheser. Weekly the headliners for June will be with the likes of Adam Rowe, Mick Ferry and Larry Dean.
Comedy @ Chorlton Irish Club, Friday June 7, £15 /£12 advance
This month at Chorlton’s great little club are Chris Kent, Julian Deane, Joey Page plus MC Justin Moorhouse.
Chapo Trap House, The Dancehouse, Friday June 7, £19.50
US satirical and absurdist podcasters as given a nod from the likes of the New Yorker and Vice. A group of leftist writers and artists pass off-the-cuff comment on politics in an off-the-wall style.
Sarah Keyworth, The Lowry, Saturday June 8, £12 (£10 conc)
Nominated for best newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, the Nottingham brought up Keyworth brings her highly acclaimed debut, Dark Horse, to Salford. Go see, a star in the making.
Chris McCausland, The Lowry, Sunday June 9, £12 (£10 conc)
Blind comedian McCausland is a dad and a husband but only third in command. No doubt he’ll be letting off steam in this solo show.
Susie Dent, The Lowry, Tuesday June 11, £26
Dent escapes Countdown’s dictionary corner to regale us with tales of The Secret Life of Words. From origins to forgotten words that fill today’s linguistic gaps.
Laughing Calves, Tribeca, Thursday June 13, £2
Little sister amateur night from Laughing Cows ladies. Catch new acts trying out their fledgling sets.
Sham Bodie, Fairfield Social Club, Friday June 14, £11
It’s back! After what seems like ages Sham Bodie returns to Manchester with comedy sets from Chris Washington, Rachel Fairburn, Jim John Harkness and The Delightful Sausage.
Ashley Blaker and Imran Yusuf, The Lowry, Sunday June 16, £21.50 – £23.50
Jewish comedian Blaker teams up with his mate Islamic funnyman Yusuf in Prophet Sharing. The ‘most unlikely pairing since Miss Piggy and Kermit’.
Angela Barnes, The Lowry, Thursday June 20, £14 (£12 conc)
In Rose-Tinted, the salt of the earth, no nonsense Barnes turns her everyday experience into surefire gags. You can’t go wrong here.
Village Idiots, Bar Pop, Tuesday June 25, Free
Dead Cat Comedy presents another evening of LGBT+ comedy. The uber glam Scarlet SoHandsome introduces the outrageously cheeky Josh Jones and the Liverpool based Eddie Fortune.
House of Blakewell, The Lowry, Thursday 27 & Friday 28 June, £12
From the creators of Thor and Loki, Everthing is Absolutely Fine is a musical about anxiety disorders and not giving up. With laughs of course.
Michael Palin, The Lowry, June 28 and 29, £30.50
The nicest Python with yet another deeply fascinating project. The backbone to this ‘evening with…’ show is his book about the ship Erebus, which took on the Artic and Antartic in the 1840s. Plus tales from his own life story and of course the Python years.
By Marissa Burgess, Comedy Editor
