June: the month of the year that is not to be confused with the name of half of the mates belonging to your mum and nan (delete according to age).It’s also got a lot of comedy in it for a summer-ish month. Get a load of this lot.
Shappi Khorsandi, The Lowry, Fri 1 June, £18.50
Khorsandi reclaims Emma Hamilton from just being known as Nelson’s mistress, with plenty of gags inserted along the way.
Comedy@ Chorlton, Irish Club Fri 1 June, £12/£10 adv.
A fine line up for the Chorlton folk as ever, with musical comic Steve Gribbin, the delightfully off the wall Pat Cahill and promising newcomer Harry Stachini. The ever-lovely Justin Moorhouse hosts.
Ok, so another month stuffed full of comedy from Manchester’s two dedicated venues to the great prophet comedy. Of course, both put on shows on Thursday nights through to Saturday so be sure to check out line ups there but here’s a pointer to some of the extra shows in June.
This month at The Comedy Store the monthly amateur competition King Gong is on Sunday 3, plus Alex Boardman showcases his favourite new acts in New Comedians on Sunday 17. Then professional acts test out new material under the watchful gaze of Toby Hadoke in New Stuff on Sundays 10 and 24. And there’s the kids show on the afternoon of Saturday 16.
Over at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, aside from the weekly Beat the Frog newbie night every Monday, on Sunday 3 the club play host to a visit from K-von, the half-Persian comic making a trip over from the States. On Sunday 10, there’s the only northern heat of new, big prize-winning comedy competition Petfringe. There are Edinburgh Preview shows throughout the month with Gary Delaney and Richard Todd’s on Wednesday 13, Carey Marx and Stuart Mitchell on Tuesday 19 and Harriet Dyer and Lou Conran on Wednesday 27.
The family friendly show this month is also an Edinburgh preview as the afternoon of Saturday 17 sees an outing for John Robertson’s kid friendly Dark Room and rounding off June is all female comedy club Laughing Cows on Sunday 24.
Joe Lycett, Manchester Palace Theatre, Sat 2 & Wed 6 June, £24.15
Brummie Lycett returns to the city of his student days and comedy beginnings. He’s come far, and it’s easy to see why. He’ll be bound to share tack sharp gags, paintings and ridiculously, hilariously convoluted email correspondence.
Paul Chowdhry, Manchester Apollo, Sat 2 June, £23.25
Chowdhry’s Live Innit tour and general domination of the comedy scene continues.
Group Therapy, Gorilla, Sat 2 June, £10
After a month off busy with festivals, Group Therapy returns with a great line up. The hugely perceptive Nish Kumar headlines with support from Alfie Brown, Ross and Josh and MC Phil Ellis.
The Didsbury Comedy Club, Didsbury Cricket Club, £7 and The Heatons Comedy Evening, The Heatons Sports Club, £8.50, Sun 3 June.
As ever Steve Gribbin and Pat Cahill double up opening and headlining the gigs. Then in Didsbury Chelsea Hart takes the middle spot with Martin Mor emceeing while Wayne Beese and MC Tez Ilyas are in Heaton Moor.
Barking Tales, Zombie Shack, Mon 4 June, Free (but with a donation bucket).
The comedy night that explores and shares comedian’s experience of mental health. With fairy Gothmother Bethany Black plus Shell Byron and Mark Grimshaw.
XSMalarkey, The Bread Shed, Every Tuesday, £5, £3 members.
A full month’s line up at XS begins on Tues 5 where the wonderfully idiosyncratic Harriet Dyer headlines, whereas on Tues 12 it’s the turn of long time Manchester scene star Dan Nightingale. Tues 19 is yet to be announced but the month rounds off with the upbeat Ed Gamble on Tues 26.
Kill the Beast Director’s Cut, The Lowry, Thu 7 – Sat 9 June, £12 (£10 conc)
As the producers say themselves – ‘Welcome to the worst film ever made. Thankfully there’s only one scene left to shoot.’
Sham Bodie, Gullivers, Thu 7, £5
More wonderfully oddball Sham shenanigans with comedy from double act Good Kids, Ava Liversidge, Tom King and Ross Brierley plus music from Sophie Galpin.
Bilal Zafar, The Lowry, Sun 10 June, £12 (£10 conc)
In the follow up to his acclaimed Cake show, Zafar explores the complex world of dating especially when social media is involved. May or may not contain Jammy Dodgers.
Doug Stanhope, Academy, Fri 15 June, £37.50
One of the most controversial acts around, the US comic is eloquent, pulls no punches and, even if you don’t agree with his viewpoint, you can’t deny his arguments make a whole lot of sense. Catch him on this latest visit to the UK.
Jason Manford, Manchester Apollo, Fri 15 – Sat 16 & Fri 22 – Sat 23 June, £33.10
Manford’s latest show Muddle Class sifts through the complexities of growing up working class in Whalley Range then finding you have some, oh the horror…., middle class tendencies.
Fawlty Towers, Manchester Palace Theatre, Fri 22 – Sat 23 June, £60 (including your dinner)
Get your indigestion tablets before you go and be ready to be bawled out by Basil in this affection and interactive tribute to the classic TV show. All while trying to eat your tea.
Flight of the Conchords, Manchester Arena, Thu 28 June, £42 – £63
The postponed gig thanks to Bret’s broken hand. But all’s better now. Expect more inspired whimsy and off the wall ideas set to music from the pair of superstar Kiwis.
All Stars of Comedy, The Lowry, Fri 29 June, £20
Anecdotal tales from Slim and Nigerian comic Adot headline this Aurie Styla emceed gig. Plus, support from Guz Khan and Gerry Kyei.
By Marissa Burgess, Comedy Editor