Comedy Picks of the Week ft Chris Ramsey + Tom Wrigglesworth

Comedy Playground | Contact | Mon 10 Feb | 7.30pm | £11/6
Expect the Winter Olympics to get well and truly lampooned at a special edition of Contact Theatre’s Comedy Playground as part of the Queer Contact Festival. Welcoming comics from all over the British Isles this is a bumper line up of stand up to celebrate LGBT History Month. On compering duties is the fabulously camp Jonathan Mayor, who introduces Scotland’s favourite kilted comic Craig Hill, Zoe Lyons, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee Sizi Ruffell, Lee Peart, Sarah Emmott and Sophie Willan.
www.contactmcr.com

Pre Love | Deaf Institute | Wed 12 Feb | 7.30pm | £5
Comedy duo Norris & Parker go from strength to strength after their sell out shows at The Lowry’s re:play festival the pair take to the stage usually reserved for musicians at hipster venue The Deaf Institute. If you couldn’t get to The Lowry to see their show then make sure you do for this, which received many five star reviews over the last few weeks. Dark and disturbing yet accessible sketches from a double act that are sure to go on to even bigger stages.
www.thedeafinstitute.com

Chris Ramsey | The Lowry | Fri 14 & Sat 15 Feb | 8pm | £19.50
After being kicked off the sofa of Soccer AM (that’s still a thing?) for being a bad egg, Chris Ramsey set out to discover whether or not he was the most dangerous man on Saturday Morning Television. Which can’t be too difficult given that his competition are the various foodies on Saturday Kitchen or whatever phenomenom is on Transworld Sport that week, Ramsey wonders whether it’s a title he even wants, never mind warrants. Solid comic chops from the creator of BBC’s Hebburn, Ramsey is an instantly likable stand up contemplating his own life and existence. Hardly Descartes but definitely worth a rumination.
www.thelowry.com

Comedysportz | The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre | Sat 15 Feb | 6.30pm | £7/5
Think of any of your favourite American or Canadian comedic actors and more than likely they got their start in improv troupes, and yet over in the UK the improvisational art form is widely derided by the comedy scene. A shame really, for when its done well quick witted improve can be a sight to behold. Flying the flag in the Northwest are Comedysportz who bring an early show this Saturday that is suitable for the somewhat arbitrary age of eight. A fast paced show taking in whatever the audience can come up with and thankfully with a referee on hand to decide when a sketch has run its course.  Great early evening entertainment.
www.edgetheatre.co.uk

Tom Wrigglesworth | The Lowry | Sun 16 Feb | 8pm | £12
The twisted logic of Tom Wrigglesworth explores the profound relationship he shares with his granddad. Not usually the jumping off point for a comedy show but Wrigglesworth’s flights of whimsy make for an astonishingly heartfelt tale that is equal parts poignant and hilarious. A sell out run at the Edinburgh Fringe this show is well worth a punt on a lazy Sunday.
www.thelowry.com