Full list of upcoming comedy shows in 2014

ENGLAND

Frank Skinner – Man in a Suit Critics choice Master Brummie comic Frank Skinner's already sold out his Soho Theatre run, so he's bringing his brand new show, Man in a Suit, to the slightly bigger capacity Leicester Square Theatre for a full month-long West End run. He's low-key, super-sharp and always a little bit filthy – you're in safe hands with Frank.

Rubberbandits – Continental Fistfight Critics choice The Limerick-based plastic-bag wearing musical comedy duo – responsible for YouTube sensation 'Horse Outside' and Chortle Award winners in 2012 – are back at the Soho Theatre with a brand new show, 'Continental Fistfight'. Of course, the Bandits don't describe themselves as musical comedy at all, they reckon they're 'hardcore gangsta rap'. Go see them and decide for yourselves. Expect a bunch of high-energy new songs and some of their greatest hits.

Seann Walsh – The Lie-In King Wild-haired stand-up Seann Walsh – star of 'Stand Up for the Week' and 'Live at the Apollo' – received a Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination for his solo show about, well, being lazy. He's matured (so to speak) into a talented observational comic, extracting big laughs from material about ordering takeaway, 24-hour off licenses and drinking. Boy oh boy, there's a lot of boozing material. Part of the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards season at Soho Theatre

Robert Newman's New Theory of Evolution Critics choice Following a sell-out run at the Little Angel Theatre, Rob Newman brings his erduite new show to the Soho Theatre. The 'Newman' half of 'Newman and Baddiel' has more strings to his comedic bow than are attached to a World Bank loan. He is one amazing comedian, and in his new show he explores the 150-year controversy in evolutionary theory. It's a shambolically brilliant show; part-lecture, part-stand-up and brimming with intelligence.

The veteran Russell Brand – Messiah Complex Critics choice After jet-setting off to LA, rubbing shoulders with the Hollywood-elite and marrying/divorcing pop royalty, merry minstrel of mirth Russell Brand is back doing what he does best: stand-up, live in London, at the Hammersmith Apollo, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Brixton Academy. In the show – which is on a world tour – the backcombed comedy wonder looks at the mental disorder 'Messiah complex', which is where the sufferer thinks they might be the Messiah, and asks: did Jesus have it? Che Guevara, Gandhi, Malcolm X, Hitler? Of course, we could ask: does Russell Brand have it? Expect his usual exquisite flowery language and sex-mad stories. Read our review of 'Messiah Complex' when Brand brought it to Hammersmith on Oct 14.

Simon Munnery – Fylm Simon Munnery is consistently one of the most innovative comedy talents out there. In Fylm – his follow-up to 2012's Fylm-Makker – he spends the hour sat among the audience, broadcasting live cardboard-based sketches onto a screen on stage. Ambitious, artistic and hugely funny, Munnery continues to push the boundaries of comedic entertainment.

Jack Whitehall Gets Around Headline hitting wunderkind Jack Whitehall's career is still rocketing fast, and now he can add 'arena-filler' to his list of achievements as he plays Wembley off his own back. The unashamedly posh comedian is young, good-looking and an all-round talented stand-up, and his hugely funny performance in E4's excellent 'Fresh Meat' has won him a whole new fanbase. There's just no stopping him. And as it's such a massive show, it'll be seated in the round. Ringmaster Whitehall!

Russell Howard – Wonderbox Currently on his biggest ever tour – the much-hyped 'Wonderbox' tour – childlike comedy superstar Russell Howard settles in at the Royal Albert Hall for four nights. The former 'Mock The Week' regular is one of the friendliest comics around, moving from topic to topic with effortless ease and keeping his audience laughing at all times. His 'Good News' series is wildly popular, pulling in millions of viewers and is constantly the most watched programme on the BBC iPlayer. These tickets will be snapped up super-quickly, so get booking. Comedians on tour Discover the best comedy shows in London this year and buy tickets for your favourite acts Diaries at the ready: it's time to start planning your comedy year. Many of the biggest comedy tours in 2014 are coming to a London venue this year, and we've put them all into this handy planner. There's every variety of stand up comedian in London.

Flick through the gallery to browse through this year's biggest comedy shows, and see the full list below of notable comedians making their way to London. The biggest comedians on tour in 2014 © Nick Fitz Monty Python – Live (mostly) See more about Monty Python – Live (mostly) Full list of upcoming comedy shows in 2014 Frank Skinner – Man in a Suit

Critics choice Master Brummie comic Frank Skinner's already sold out his Soho Theatre run, so he's bringing his brand new show, Man in a Suit, to the slightly bigger capacity Leicester Square Theatre for a full month-long West End run. He's low-key, super-sharp and always a little bit filthy – you're in safe hands with Frank. Leicester Square Theatre 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX Mon Feb 3 - Sat Feb 22 More info Rubberbandits – Continental Fistfight Critics choice The Limerick-based plastic-bag wearing musical comedy duo – responsible for YouTube sensation 'Horse Outside' and Chortle Award winners in 2012 – are back at the Soho Theatre with a brand new show, 'Continental Fistfight'. Of course, the Bandits don't describe themselves as musical comedy at all, they reckon they're 'hardcore gangsta rap'. Go see them and decide for yourselves. Expect a bunch of high-energy new songs and some of their greatest hits. Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE Mon Feb 3 - Mon Mar 31 More info Seann Walsh – The Lie-In King Wild-haired stand-up Seann Walsh – star of 'Stand Up for the Week' and 'Live at the Apollo' – received a Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination for his solo show about, well, being lazy. He's matured (so to speak) into a talented observational comic, extracting big laughs from material about ordering takeaway, 24-hour off licenses and drinking. Boy oh boy, there's a lot of boozing material. Part of the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards season at Soho Theatre Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE Mon Feb 3 - Sat Feb 8 More info Robert Newman's New Theory of Evolution Critics choice Following a sell-out run at the Little Angel Theatre, Rob Newman brings his erduite new show to the Soho Theatre. The 'Newman' half of 'Newman and Baddiel' has more strings to his comedic bow than are attached to a World Bank loan. He is one amazing comedian, and in his new show he explores the 150-year controversy in evolutionary theory. It's a shambolically brilliant show; part-lecture, part-stand-up and brimming with intelligence. Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE Mon Feb 10 - Sat Feb 15 More info Mike Wozniak – Take the Hit Critics choice Moustachioed maestro Mike Wozniak's 'Take the Hit' bagged a Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award at last year's festival. Presenting himself as 'The King of Showbusiness', Wozniak brilliantly subverts the old school 'mother-in-law joke' comedy genre in an hour of silly, increasingly frustrated stories. A superbly crafted, very funny show from a marvellous talent. Part of the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards season at Soho Theatre Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE Mon Feb 10 - Sat Feb 15 More info Miles Jupp is the Chap You're Thinking Of You know, the one from 'Rev'? Or 'Balamory'? or 'Have I Got News For You', 'The Thick of It' or 'Mock the Week'? Miles Jupps: that's the chap you're thinking of. Yes, the unashamedly posh actor-comedian is hitting the road with his first tour since 2011's 'Fibber in the Heat', taking in the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End. The cricket-obsessed comic is an excellent stand-up. Ambassadors Theatre West Street, WC2H 9ND Tue Feb 11 - Tue Feb 25 More info Alan Davies – Little Victories The 'QI' and 'Jonathan Creek' star is back on the road following his hugely successful 'Life is Pain' tour in 2012. That tour was his first foray into stand-up for 12 years, but it didn't show – he was terrifically funny form. Cutty Sark King William Walk, SE10 9HT Fri Feb 14 More info Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen (Volume Too) 13 years after his Edinburgh Fringe hit 'Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen', everyone's favourite grump returns to the songbook of Len, performing songs (very well, it has to be said) at the Soho Theatre. Plus gentle jokes, of course. Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE Sun Feb 16 - Sun Mar 2 More info Tim Key – Single White Slut You may know Tim Key as Alan Partridge's number two, Sidekick Simon. But you should know Key for his superb live work, combining lovingly shot short films, silly, pithy poems and ridiculous stories. He's one of favourite comics, well, ever. Now he's bringing the next in his 'Slut' series (following 'The Slut in the Hut', 'The Slutcracker' and 'Masterslut') to Soho Theatre: 'Single White Slut'. We can't wait. Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE Tue Feb 25 - Sat Mar 29 More info Sarah Millican – Home Bird The sweet and filthy comedy superstar sets out on tour once again with new show 'Home Bird'. Expect tales of what to take on a dirty weekend and how to teach a pensioner to swear. She's one of the hottest comedy tickets in the country, so be sure to book your seats soon… Read our Sarah Millican interview Hammersmith Apollo 45 Queen Caroline St, W6 9QH Fri Feb 28 More info Julian Clary – Canned Clary The filthy and fabulously funny Julian Clary sets up a twice-weekly residency – every Thursday and Friday night in March 2014 – at the St James Theatre's studio. Canned Clary features musical guests and celebrity friends joining the master of innuendo for a cosy chat. St James Studio 12 Palace St, SW1E 5JA Thu Mar 6 - Fri Mar 28 More info Russell Brand – Messiah Complex Critics choice After jet-setting off to LA, rubbing shoulders with the Hollywood-elite and marrying/divorcing pop royalty, merry minstrel of mirth Russell Brand is back doing what he does best: stand-up, live in London, at the Hammersmith Apollo, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Brixton Academy. In the show – which is on a world tour – the backcombed comedy wonder looks at the mental disorder 'Messiah complex', which is where the sufferer thinks they might be the Messiah, and asks: did Jesus have it? Che Guevara, Gandhi, Malcolm X, Hitler? Of course, we could ask: does Russell Brand have it? Expect his usual exquisite flowery language and sex-mad stories. Read our review of 'Messiah Complex' when Brand brought it to Hammersmith on Oct 14. O2 Academy Brixton 211 Stockwell Rd, SW9 9SL Sun Mar 2 - Sun Mar 9 More info Simon Munnery – Fylm Simon Munnery is consistently one of the most innovative comedy talents out there. In Fylm – his follow-up to 2012's Fylm-Makker – he spends the hour sat among the audience, broadcasting live cardboard-based sketches onto a screen on stage. Ambitious, artistic and hugely funny, Munnery continues to push the boundaries of comedic entertainment. Leicester Square Theatre 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX Tue Mar 11 - Sat Mar 22 More info Miranda Hart – My, What I Call The creator of mega-popular slapstick sitcom 'Miranda' returns to the stand-up stage, for the first time in five years. Hart isn't messing about, she's going straight in with an arena tour, and says to expect the show to include 'galloping' and 'attempts at song and dance'. Should be fun, but it ain't till 2014… The O2 Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX Wed Mar 12 - Thu Mar 13 More info Jack Whitehall Jack Whitehall Gets Around Headline hitting wunderkind Jack Whitehall's career is still rocketing fast, and now he can add 'arena-filler' to his list of achievements as he plays Wembley off his own back. The unashamedly posh comedian is young, good-looking and an all-round talented stand-up, and his hugely funny performance in E4's excellent 'Fresh Meat' has won him a whole new fanbase. There's just no stopping him. And as it's such a massive show, it'll be seated in the round. Ringmaster Whitehall! Wembley Arena Empire Way, HA9 0PA Sat Mar 15 - Mon Mar 17 More info Norman Lovett – Old and New Best known for his role as Holly in 'Red Dwarf', legendary oddball stand-up Norman Lovett is back on the road with his 'Old and New' tour, which he's bringing to the Leicester Square Theatre. Not many people can make plastic bags funny, but with his low-key delivery and aloof persona Lovett can transform a simple object or idea into a strangely funny character or rotuine. There's no conventional gags here, just pure deadpan whimsy. Utterly charming. Leicester Square Theatre 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX Thu Mar 20 - Sat Mar 22 More info David O'Doherty Will Try to Fix Everything Award-winning whimsical Irishman David O'Doherty heads to the Shepherd's Bush Empire with his new show 'David O'Doherty Will Try to Fix Everything. He'll do some standing-up, sitting down, and songs from a small plastic 1980s keyboard. He'll charm you silly. O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire Shepherd's Bush Green, W12 8TT Sun Mar 23 More info Pam Ann – Fly Pam Ann, the sharp-tongued air hostess from hell, is the monster character creation of Caroline Reid. She's flying into town with more tales of life in the mile high club for a West End run at the Leicester Square Theatre. Leicester Square Theatre 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX Wed Mar 26 - Sat Apr 26 More info Sean Hughes – Penguins Razor-sharp Irish raconteur and former 'Buzzcocks' team captain Sean Hughes follows up his emotional one-man show 'Life Becomes Noises' with a more traditional stand-up show, 'Penguins'. It's a personal hour, looking back at Hughes's Dublin upbringing, and promises to be full of twists and surprises. Despite his surly demeanor, Hughes's comedy has a wonderfully uplifting message. He's a top notch stand-up. Tricycle 269 Kilburn High Rd, NW6 7JR Wed Mar 26 - Sat Mar 29 More info Russell Howard – Wonderbox Currently on his biggest ever tour – the much-hyped 'Wonderbox' tour – childlike comedy superstar Russell Howard settles in at the Royal Albert Hall for four nights. The former 'Mock The Week' regular is one of the friendliest comics around, moving from topic to topic with effortless ease and keeping his audience laughing at all times. His 'Good News' series is wildly popular, pulling in millions of viewers and is constantly the most watched programme on the BBC iPlayer. These tickets will be snapped up super-quickly, so get booking. Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP Thu Mar 27 - Thu Apr 17

More info Russell Kane – Smallness The former Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner and 'Live at the Electric' star brings his new show 'Smallness' to the Southbank Centre as part of his huge UK tour. In the new show – which played to just 55 people a night at the Edinburgh Fringe (because of his choice of venue size, not because he couldn't sell any tickets) – the unpredictably haired comic examines Brits' obsession with smallness, 'being tiny but fierce, close but distant', he says. He's staying true to the show's title, too, and playing the relatively intimate Southbank Centre as his London dates.

BETTER CHOICE !!! Monty Python – Live (mostly) One Down, Five to Go Critics choice No, we didn’t think we’d ever write these words either. But the five surviving members of Monty Python have announced that they’re set to fly once again, performing a ‘final reunion’ at the O2 next summer. At the press conference to announce the huge news, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam (combined age 357) revealed that the show will mix greatest hits (given ‘modern, topical, Pythonesque twists’), material that’s never been performed live, and the odd new joke. The Pythons haven’t performed lived since 1980 at the Hollywood Bowl, and this London show will be their first live gig in England for 40 years. Let's just hope it won't be their last.

Lee Evans – Monsters Frantic, rubber-faced comic Lee Evans brings his biggest tour to date, Monster, to the O2 and Wembley arenas. His last show, Roadrunner, was the fastest-selling comedy tour at the time, with 227,424 tickets sold in just one day. This time he's upping the ante and playing to more people than ever. Fans can expect heaps of manic, sweaty energy and acute observations from this record-breaking comedy superstar. If you can't get a ticket first time around, don't fret too much – we reckon many extra dates will be announced in due course.