It’s officially May, which means – not to sound too characteristically un-British in my optimism here – not one, but two bank holibobs to look forward to this month, the spring equinox to signal the start of longer evenings, leaves on the trees, and May Day itself kicking us off as the hottest day of the year so far. If we blissfully ignore climate change… its shaping up to be a pretty cracking month ahead. As per usual, we’ve got a lovely list of recommendations for comedy shows you can see this month, whether you’re in the mood for a dazzling tour show, a gallivant around a comedy festival in Wales, a more intimate work in progress show or a mixed bill night, we’ve got you covered.
1. TOUR SHOWS
© Machynlleth Comedy Festival, Jordan Gray
machynlleth comedy festival
Fri-Sun 2-4 May, Multiples times, Multiple Venues, Machynlleth, Wales
This delightfully-easy-to-spell town in Wales hosts an annual comedy festival taking place this bank holiday weekend, jam packed with hundreds of comedy shows, theatre and live music. To be quite frank, there are far too many shows to recommend here, but to name a few: Josie Long, Desiree Birch, Flo and Joan and Zoe Lyons, plus multiple Showcase shows Fri-Sat night hosted by Kiri Pritchard-Maclean. You can also catch some fantastic work in progress shows, from Lindsay Santoro, Esther Manito, Sikisa, Pravanya Pillay and more.
Grab your tickets here.
jordan gray: is that a c*ck in your pocket, Or are you just here to kill me?
Mon-Sat 19-31 May @ 9:15 PM, Soho Theatre Dean Street, London
After Jordan Gray’s highly acclaimed Edinburgh debut show Is it a Bird? toured around the UK and Melbourne Comedy Festival, and appearing on Channel 4’s Friday Night Live, Gray brings her brand new show, which is set to be as sparklingly hilarious and awe-inspiring as her last, to Soho Theatre Dean Street this month. You’d be silly to miss.
You can grab tickets here
© Natalie Palamides, Meow Meow, Zoe Brownstone
natalie palamides: weer!
Fri-Sat 2-10 May @ 8:00 PM, Soho Theatre Walthamstow, London
To kick off the grand opening of Soho Theatre’s brand spanking new venue in Walthamstow, none other than Natalie Palamides is performing her legendary, award-winning show WEER for 8 nights, about 2 (ish) star-crossed lovers who meet at a NYE party entering the Millenium.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
meow meow: it’s come to this
Tues-Sat 6-24 May@ 7:00 PM, Soho Theatre Dean Street, London
Australian singer, comedian and all around cabaret diva Meow Meow brings her newest show to Soho this month for a whopping 19 nights. A dazzling combination of opera, cabaret, drag, and gags, Meow Meow has wowed audiences all over the globe.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
zoe brownstone: Special Taping
Thurs 22 May @ 6:00 PM, The Bill Murray, London
Canadian stand-up Zoe Brownstone performs a special taping of her debut hour at the Bill Murray this month. This traditional stand up show covers dating, how 90s rom-coms made her a hopeless romantic, and her invention of five jewish sex positions (Brownstone™). You can read our review of the show here.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
© Su Mi, Kate Berlant, Helen Bauer
su mi: thismotherphucker
Sun 18 May @ 5:30 PM, The Bill Murray, London
Surreal and punk clown comic Su Mi brings her debut show to The Bill Murray this month – you can expect a whirlwind mixture of heavy metal, loud costume, guitar riffs and hilarious gags.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
2. WORK IN PROGRESS SHOWS
KATE BERLANT: lIVE!
Mon-Sat 28-3 April-May @ 7:00 PM, Soho Theatre Dean Street, London
After critically acclaimed show Kate in 2023, actor, improviser and comedian Kate Berlant is back at Soho Theatre with her latest hour. Expect self indulgence to the highest and funniest degree, and you can read our review of her last hour here.
Grab a ticket here!
helen bauer: work in progress
Mon 5 May @ 6:30 PM, The Bill Murray, London
Helen Bauer, as seen on Live at The Apollo, Comedy Central and BBC3, is back with a work in progress this month, you can expect to hear observational bits in her characteristically affable and high energy stand up style.
You can grab your ticket here
3. VARIETY SHOWS
© Neon Nights with Sarah Pascoe, Soho Theatre
neon nights with sarah pascoe
Fri 30 May @ 8:00 PM, Soho Theatre Walthamstow, London
This brand new comedy night hosted at Soho Theatre Walthamstow has a star studded line up this month, with telly famous acts Rosie Jones, Tom Davis, Janine Harouni, John Kearns and a headline set from Sara Pascoe, hosted by Thanyia Moore. You’d be silly to pass this up.
You can grab your ticket here
3. FUNNY WOMEN EVENTS
This month, we are hosting bags of Funny Women events – whether you want to get into writing, give an open mic night a go, or generally want to support women in comedy, check out all our events here!
No images owned. All images owned by Machynlleth Comedy Festival, Jordan Gray, Natalie Palamides, Meow Meow, Zoe Brownstone, Su Mi, Helen Bauer, Kate Berlant, Neon Nights
