Laughter is certainly the best medicine - even if you’re not ill! Why not get your ribs well and truly tickled over the next few weeks by attending one or more of the following laughter-fests...  

JONNY COLE

“It’s difficult for me to put my brand of comedy into an industry-standard soundbite,” says local comedian Jonny Cole. “There are a lot of people who love Black Country humour and who’d love to go into a rough & ready Black Country pub just to listen to the banter - and that’s exactly what I do. I’ve absorbed Black Country humour the whole of my life. I take it out of that pub - where people wouldn’t dare go, in case they got their teeth knocked out - and I put it into a safe, controlled environment where they can enjoy it.”

Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Friday 2 May; Dudley Town Hall, Thursday 8 May; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Friday 16 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sunday 18 May; Katie Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge, Friday 23 May; Lichfield Garrick, Saturday 24 May; Rugeley Rose Theatre, Friday 6 & Saturday 7 June; The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Wednesday 11 June; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Thursday 12 June; Katie Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge, Friday 13 June; Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Saturday 14 June; Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Wednesday 18 June; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thursday 19 June; Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Saturday 21 June; Wombourne Civic, Friday 4 July; Walsall Arena, Friday 11 July; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thursday 25 September; Lichfield Garrick, Saturday 18 October; Halesowen Town Hall, Tuesday 21 October; Walsall Arena & Arts Centre, Wednesday 22 October; Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Thursday 23 October

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SOPHIE MCCARTNEY

Having previously toured a show based around her experience of the perilous world of parenting, award-winning comedian Sophie McCartney now sets about tackling her perimenopausal panic by asking the question: what does life look like when you’re too old to be young, but too young to be old? Sophie is urging her fans to grab their glow sticks and ready themselves for an evening of sequins, snorty laughs, and a pair of killer orthopaedic heels...

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sunday 4 May; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Saturday 10 May; 
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Friday 16 May

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HARRY HILL

“Join me on my Diamond Jubilee lap of honour,” says Harry Hill, “as I celebrate 60 glorious years of fun, laughter and low-level disruption.

“Marvel! As I offer new insights into the hot topics of the day, such as the demise of the SCART lead, the ‘culture wars’, the differences between crab sticks and rhubarb and the origins of tiramisu! “Plus, one lucky audience member will get to join me in a double act! “So get on board the laughter train!”

Malvern Theatres, Wednesday 7 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Friday 16 May 

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ANDREW LAWRENCE

It’s fair to say that Andrew Lawrence’s profile has been considerably raised by his involvement in various social-media controversies over the years.

On Facebook a decade ago, he accused television panel shows of indulging in “liberal back-slapping”, claiming they featured “ageing, balding, fat men, ethnic comedians and women posing as comedians” who spent their time making jokes at the expense of Nigel Farage.

More recently, he caused a stir when, following the defeat of the England football team in the final of the Euros - on penalties - he tweeted: “All I’m saying is the white guys scored.” He then followed up with “I can see that this has offended a lot of people, and I’m sorry that black guys are bad at penalties.” 

The controversy resulted in the Surrey-born comedian being dropped by his agent. He visits the Gatehouse this month and next with latest show Still On The Naughty Step.  

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thursday 8 May 

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ELLIE TAYLOR

Ellie Taylor kickstarted her comedy career in her late 20s, performing in standup reality TV series Show Me The Funny. “I got some other television work out of that and a few bookings,” recalls Ellie, “but people’s expectations outweighed what I was able to provide. I wasn’t really good enough at that stage.”

Now in her early 40s, Ellie’s comedy has come a long way. Part of the secret of her success, she believes, is ‘the way she tells ’em’. “I enjoy doing comedy with a narrative. A lot of standup shows have absolutely no narrative whatsoever, but a beginning, middle and end is very important to me.”

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Friday 9 May; Birmingham Town Hall, Saturday 24 May

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SUSAN MURRAY: HOW NOT TO DIE IN A PLANE CRASH

Comparisons with Kerry Godliman and Sarah Millican have done wonders for Susan Murray’s profile, playing their part in establishing her reputation as one of the UK’s funniest female comedians. Her currently touring show sees Susan promising to make her audience ‘laugh and cry at the same time’ with a host of ‘useful death-defying survival tips, all wrapped up in fantastic jokes’.  

Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Saturday 10 May 

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ROB BECKETT

First tickling the nation’s funny bone in 2009, Rob Beckett’s TV work includes 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Celebrity Juice. A high-tempo comedian who’s been described by one newspaper as ‘a little short of a revelation’, Rob claims his relationship with comedy began as a youngster... 

“I was the middle child and desperate for attention,” he explains, “so I decided to try and get it by making my friends and family chuckle - or better still, belly laugh.”

Gags include, “You know you're working-class when your TV’s bigger than your bookcase,” and “My girlfriend worries about me cheating on a night out. I say to her, ‘Why would I have a burger when I’ve got steak at home?’ The only problem is, when you’re drunk, burgers are well nice.”

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 14 May; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 17 May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 20 - Sat 22 November

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NICK MOHAMMED - MR SWALLOW: SHOW PONY

He may have been one of the worst contestants in Taskmaster history, but Nick Mohammed has proved himself a winner in pretty much every other aspect of his showbiz career. His success has been due, in no small measure, to his much-loved alter-ego Mr Swallow, the attention-seeking man-child who he’s been playing for more than a decade. Nick and Mr S are here making a welcome return in a brand-new show, one which has been described by the latter as “payback for everyone who didn’t come to the last tour”. Expect magic, music, ‘and a whole load of brand-new mistakes’.  

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Thursday 15 May

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DARA Ó BRIAIN

Charismatic, fast-talking and very, very funny, Dara Ó’Briain is a familiar face on the telly thanks to shows like Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You.

Jokes include: “If we were truly created by God, why do we occasionally bite the insides of our mouths?” and “Even though you’re still allowed to smoke in your own house, do you have to stub it out when a burglar breaks in, as your house is now his workplace?” Dara stops off in the region with his new touring show, Re:Creation.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Thursday 15 & Friday 16 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Saturday 17 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wednesday 17 September; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wednesday 5 - Thursday 6 November

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JAMALI MADDIX

One-time Chortle Student Comedian of the Year Jamali Maddix has been hailed for his frank yet ironic take on everyday racism and his willingness to tackle the hot-potato subject of terrorism. 

He visits the Midlands numerous times across the next couple of months with his brand-new touring show, Aston.

Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 16 May; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 21 May; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Thurs 5 June

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KERRY GODLIMAN

Comedian & actress Kerry Godliman’s new touring show, Bandwidth, contemplates how life looks for a middle-aged woman ‘who is busy parenting teenagers, feels bogged down with knicker admin, and is giving some serious consideration to the possibility of dealing HRT on the black market’...

You may remember Kerry from such TV shows as Miranda, Our Girl and Ricky Gervais’ Extras, Derek and After Life. She’s also had her own show on Radio Four. But it’s live standup that’s closest to her heart. “It’s such a creative opportunity to say all the stuff I want to say about things like politics and parenting,” she explains. “And that’s amazing. There aren’t many jobs where you can just say exactly what you like.”

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Saturday 17 May 

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BRING THE LAUGHTER

There’s the promise of ‘pure comedy and good vibes’ when Bring The Laughter makes a welcome return this month, with Muhsin Yesilada and Raj Poojara (pictured) being joined by Birmingham’s Shazia Mirza. 
One of the UK’s most creative female comedians, Muslim Shazia has never been averse to treading a delicate line when it comes to her material. Her post-9/11 joke, “My name’s Shazia Mirza - at least, that’s what it says on my pilot’s licence”, marked her out as a comedian happy to balance on the very precipice of acceptable humour. Other examples of her style and content include: “My parents really want me to get married. But Muslim men don’t want to marry me because... I speak” and “My dad said if I went out with a black man, he’d burn me. Which would be good, because then I’d be black, too”

Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Saturday 17 May

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MC HAMMERSMITH

Widely considered to be the greatest rapper ever to emerge from the ‘ghetto’ that is middle-class west London - the competition for such a coveted accolade must be fierce indeed! - MC Hammersmith specialises in improvised freestyle rap comedy based on audience suggestions.

“As a straight, cisgender, privately educated white male,” he told voicemag.uk, “I think it’s important to acknowledge my struggle:  sometimes, I can’t get a slot on a professional comedy night in London because too many of my school friends are already on the bill. Cut me a break, society...”  

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Saturday 17 May; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Saturday 31 May  

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​ZAKIR KHAN

“I’ve been writing jokes ever since I was a kid,” says Indian comedian Zakir Khan. “My early years were spent in a boys’ school, a fact that gave me a near-unlimited stock of tales that I could use to make people roll around on the floor. The challenge for me was working out the best way to present them.”

The winner of Comedy Central’s India’s Best Standup award, Zakir has performed more than 1,000 sold-out shows in venues across the world. His Symphony Hall show this month will be performed in Hindi.

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sunday 18 May

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ANDY HAMILTON

“A lot of comedy shows are confessional, aren’t they?” says Outnumbered writer and long-established standup comedian Andy Hamilton, in talking to Cambridge Independent. “People get up and talk about their struggles with their demons. But I don’t really have any demons. I mean, maybe I should get some, and then I could do jokes about them!”

Andy is visiting the region with a show that’s been described as an intimate evening of comic reflection, reminiscence and revelation. 

The second half of the evening will feature a Q&A session with the audience.

Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Sunday 18 May; The Roses, Tewkesbury, Sunday 15 June 

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DAVID O'DOHERTY

David O’Doherty spent a lot of time wondering whether he actually wanted to be a stand-up comedian. His subsequent award-winning career as a comic shows he’s absolutely made the right choice. Jokes include: “I like the Ten Commandments but have a problem with the ninth. It should be: ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s ox - except in Scrabble.’”

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thursday 22 May

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JULIAN CLARY

Following in the footsteps of comics such as Kenny Everett and Larry Grayson, Julian Clary peddles a fine line in ‘saucy postcard humour’ that disguises an intelligent sarcasm which digs fun at both himself and his audience. 

The world of standup is undoubtedly where he’s enjoyed most success, seeming to thrive on the close contact with a live audience. By contrast, his forays into television haven’t always gone so well; indeed, a long-ago but infamous ‘fisting’ gag about a Conservative politician saw him blacklisted by television producers for some considerable time. 

He’s making a welcome return to the region this month with critically acclaimed standup offering A Fistful Of Clary. 

“Yes, it still has a Western theme,” says Julian of the much-toured show. “It was only a matter of time before I eased myself into some chaps once again...”

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Friday 23 May; Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Saturday 24 May 

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PAUL CHOWDHRY

One of the most talented and popular Asian comedians on the UK comedy circuit, Paul Chowdhry has developed a stand-up act which taps into the multicultural diversity of contemporary Britain. His Midlands stop-offs this spring see him presenting latest touring show Englandia, an evening of comedy covering all manner of topical subjects.

Utilita Arena Birmingham, Sat 31 May

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SHAPARAK KHORSANDI

A regular contributor to radio and television programmes, Iranian-born comedian Shaparak Khorsandi describes herself as a ‘spit and sawdust’ stand-up comic, happily pulling on her wellies and trudging through muddy fields to perform at any and every music festival that boasts a comedy tent.
She visits the region this month with latest show Scatterbrain. 

Norbury Theatre, Droitwich, Saturday 31 May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thursday 12 June

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RUSSELL KANE

Past publicity blurb for this fella said it all: “Strap in for some super-speed sunderings and inconvenient sociology in a show of self-soiling merriment that will leave you with rickets.” 

In short, Russell Kane is a very funny man - and it’s not just his publicist who thinks so. Russell has been drawing a crowd since bursting onto the scene more than 20 years ago, serving up liberal doses of humour at a frenetic pace. 

The London-born comedian visits the Midlands with latest touring show HyperActive.

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Friday 5 & Saturday 6 December   

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