Well well well, you’re back and so are we. A soft breeze is blowing and there’s something in the air that I can’t quite put my finger on. Is it the daisies blooming in my local cemetery? Is it the black market petrol I have hidden under my bed? Is it fox wee mingled with tonic wine? Who can say?
Whatever it is, it has got me solidly in the mood for the hottest comedy summer on record. This month, we’ve got Bridgerton, we’ve got blow jobs, we’ve got comedy pole dancing, and climate change! Could any list of shows be a better representation of life these days? Of course not, ignore all the other lists. Have a fun June and maybe catch you at one of these glories:
Aruhan Galieva: Eco Maniac
Thursday 2nd — Friday 3rd June, Komedia Brighton
Catch the last little bit of Brighton Fringe with a really buzzy new performer pairing musical comedy and the climate crisis (a classic combo in my opinion). Eco Maniac is Aruhan Galieva’s first solo show and even though it’s about climate stuff, you will not find yourself at a TED Talk (unless the TED Talks you watch have certified bangers in them). For more information and tickets, click here!
Weapons of Mass Hilarity Comedy festival
Thursday 2nd — Saturday 4th June, 2Northdown
The big Jubilee weekend is filled to the brim with shows at the very first Weapons of Mass Hilarity festival, curated by Jenan Younis. Kicking off with a variety night on the Friday, the festival showcases comedians of Middle East/SWANA heritage and features comedians such as Shirley & Shirley, Anoushka Rava, Daphna Baram, Maria Shehata, Yasmeen Audisho Ghrawi and more. For more information and tickets, click here!
Siân Docksey: Work in Polegress
Saturday 4th June, Camden People’s Theatre
No one made better use of lockdown than Siân Docksey, who spent those bleak months taking pole dancing classes. The logical next step for a comedian is naturally to combine these two disciplines and create something weird and cool. I saw a little teaser of this and I can tell you it’s awesome and like no comedy you’ve ever seen (also I got a free KitKat). Powerpoint is passé — in this house we pole dance. For more information and tickets, click here!
Britney: Friends and Nothing More (WIP)
Monday 6th June, Bill Murray; Tuesday 7th June, Pleasance Islington
If you haven’t already seen Britney’s fantastic BBC pilot, titled Britney, you must go and watch it now. But then come straight back here, promise. Ok, you’re back now? And I presume you’re now in love with them both, which is great preparation for their new show, a love story between them and the audience. For more information and tickets, click here and here!
Hot Gossip
Thursday 9th June, Crate St James Street
Want the scoop? The scoop is that the hottest gossip (and also hottest comedians) can be found in Walthamstow (where the hottest people live *wink wink*). Helen Bauer headlines this month’s Hot Gossip show with Elly Shaw, Chin Wang, Emily Bampton, Am Stubberfield and MC Louisa Keight. Yes, you’re right, you did spot a few recent Funny Women Awards finalists in that line-up! For more information and tickets, click here!
A Queer Night of Cabaret + Comedy: The how to build a wax figure Ed Fringe Fundraiser!
Saturday 11th June, 21Soho
Here’s a night that knows exactly how to hook a person like me. Comedy, cabaret, drag, and debauchery are the flavour at November Theatre’s fundraiser (to get now play ‘how to build a wax figure’ by Isabella Waldron up to Edinburgh Fringe). It features performances from Diane Chorley, Jo Griffin, Kathryn Bond, Bovril Lavigne, Masc Peach, Mercy and loads more, as well as what promises to be a very sexy raffle. For more information and tickets, click here!
Drag His Ass: With Mary Beth Barone
Tuesday 14th — Saturday 18th June, Soho Theatre
Hot ticket alert! Mary Beth Barone sold out the Soho Theatre super quick on her last visit and I, of course, missed out. But not this time, no siree, because I reckon this is essential viewing (at least for me, sob). Ahead of her Edinburgh Fringe debut, she’s bringing her bad dating expertise and sharing her six-step recovery program for overcoming fuckboy addiction. Heal us, Mary Beth Barone, heal us all. For more information and tickets, click here!
PARTY: Bridgerton
Friday 17th June, The Cube, Bristol
Bristol’s, or dare I say the country’s, finest show for trans/nb/female comedians has got our hearts (and other areas) all aflutter. Loosen your corsets, PARTY is Bridgerton themed and this season’s diamond will be plucked from the Ton’s steamiest line-up yet: Imogen Trusselle and Pravanya Pillay host, with performances from Frankie Thompson, Jessie Johnson, Niquita Munowenyo, Leila Navabi, and Travis Alabanza. Who’ll have sex on a ladder and who’ll incur the wrath of Lady Whistledown? Only one way to find out. For more information and tickets, click here!
FOC IT UP
Sunday 19th and Sunday 26th June, 21Soho
Kemah Bob’s comedy night featuring Femmes of Colour is BACK with some truly outstanding shows going all through the summer, with a 100% no-white-dudes-on-stage policy. There are two June dates to enjoy with two equally grand line-ups. First up, Sophie Duker, Michelle De Swarte, Njambi McGrath, Charlie George, Ola Labib, AND Esther Manito. Then a week later, Sikisa, Athena Kugblenu, Ariane Anantaputri, Isabelle Farah, Katie Green and Shivani Dave. For more information and tickets, click here!
Jacqueline Novak: Get On Your Knees
Friday 24th — Sunday 26th June, Leicester Square Theatre
If I could cast a spell that would make everyone in the world suddenly disappear and rematerialise in Jacqueline Novak’s show, I would do that for only the people I respect because this show deserves to be appreciated. It is the most intricate, stunning, philosophical exploration of blow jobs I’ve ever seen — a truly unique show for anyone who reveres expert storytelling and unexpected jokes. You’ll have to join the waitlist for a couple of these nights but it’s definitely worth trying to get in! Read my review of it here. For more information and tickets, click here!
