Silky | Dead Cat Comedy at Sandbar | Mon 17 Mar | 8pm | FREE
The very first BBC Radio New Comedy Awards in 1995 was probably the best line-up there has ever been in a competition final. Won by Mighty Boosh co-creator Julian Barratt, it also featured arguably Britain’s greatest ever comedian in Daniel Kitson, and one of the UK’s most likable in Lee Mack. Coming up at the same time was a young comic from Liverpool named Silky (pictured), who is heading towards 20 years in the comedy business, having performed worldwide and gained a reputation as one of the best on the circuit, and who also runs his own gigs – known as Kill For A Seat Comedy – that are said to be the loveliest gigs around, a joy to perform and to view. He’s brilliantly amenable performer who uses words and music to explain the intricacies of the world and how we’d all be better off after a bloody good hug. He is a rare treat to see in Manchester and you should grab it with both hands. It won’t cost you a thing either.
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The Worst Comedy Night in Salford | Kings Arms | Tue 18 Mar | 7.30pm | FREE
It might be the worst comedy night in Salford – though there is a dearth of competition – but it’s definitely the most welcoming and comfortable comedy night in the other city. Taking place as it does in the snug of creative hub and apostrophe haters The Kings Arms, the night puts an emphasis on new acts, and more established ones trying out new stuff to an open minded and friendly crowd that’s sure to one day cement it as ‘The Second Worst Comedy Night in Salford’. Keep reaching for that rainbow, gang.
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Dead Funny | Rain Bar | Wed 19 Mar | 8pm | FREE
Red Redmond launches another comedy night in Manchester this time at Rain Bar on Great Bridgewater Street. As ever with any Dead Cat production it’s absolutely free and has an ace line-up for you to enjoy. Joining Red for the inaugural event are Lewis Charlesworth, Liam Pickford and Sam Gore. A top bill you could expect at any weekend club, only on a Wednesday and considerably less money. Read our full preview here.
deadcatcomedy.co.uk
Just Farah Laugh | Kosmonaut | Wed 19 Mar | 8pm | FREE
The manufacturer of your grandad’s favourite trousers is undergoing something of a rebrand of late. As hipsters pick up dead man’s trousers in charity shops, Farah is aiming to cut out the middle man and go straight to the target audience, selling the finest slacks in town to the flat-lensed glasses, sailor-tattooed masses. As part of their rebranding they have come up with a great pun, and then had to put on a comedy night because of it. A free night of comedy no less, ‘Just Farah Laugh’ is a damn fine night of new comedy stars to have you wetting your pants with laughter. And then buying new pants from Farah. Buy Farah, the people’s trousers. Taking place in the basement of Kosmonaut (let’s hope this isn’t the only time the space is used in this way), the night features Scottish comic Iain Sterling and middle-class crooner Alex Smith. Just go to the site listed below and apply for tickets. Can’t say Farah than that…. Sorry. We’re so, so sorry.
www.farah.co.uk
Laughing for a Change | Frog & Bucket | Wed 19 Mar | 7pm | £10/£8
Wednesday is chock-a-block with comedy this week – after those two free shows you may want to pay for your comedy, because that’s your barometer for class, right? And what better way to spend your money than on a charitable event, one with a phenomenal listing of comedians. Headlining is the UK’s foremost guitar-wielding, loop-layering stand-up Rob Deering, with support from the bizarre and compelling Seymour Mace and the brilliant Annette Fagon. The whole charitable affair will be headed by the wonderful Barbara Nice.
www.frogandbucket.com
Mike Newall | Chorlton Chuckles at South West Manchester Cricket Club | Fri 21 Mar | 7.30pm | £5
If you don’t want to venture into town to get your laughs on a Friday night, then be sure to head to Chorlton (or stay in Chorlton if that’s already where you live) as the South West Manchester Cricket Club hits you for six. You see hitting a six is good in cricket, and also there are six comics on this line-up. How’s that? Headlining is Manc raconteur Mike Newall who offers up offbeat, surreal and clever observations about modern life and indeed the city in which we live. Making up a great bill of support, the stand out is Lee Fenwick whose richly developed, almost heartbreaking but always hilarious character comedy is a must-see at any gig.
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Quippopotamus | Fuel | Sun 23 Mar | 8pm | FREE
Withington’s surrealist comedy night Quip gets in touch with its feminine side this month with a double headline bill of Harriet Dyer and Kiri Pritchard-Mclean. These two great comics are currently workshopping their respective Edinburgh shows, which are sure to knock people down with laughter when they arrive at the Fringe. Dyer’s suitably bonkers show, entitled ‘Barking at Aeroplanes’, takes in all manner of daft ideas as she works through her issues with the world and tries to figure out how certifiable she is. Kiri Pritchard-Mclean’s ‘Racist Sexist Show’ may attract a bizarre following of Bernard Manning die-hards, but is actually a thought-provoking rumination on the roles sex and race play in everything we do. Especially comedy. It promises to be a smart look at the world from a rising comedy talent. The night will be ably hosted as ever by idiot ringmaster Jack Evans, who may or may not have ingested a dangerous amount of oestrogen to fit in with his two guests.
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- Words:
- John Stansfield
- Published on:
- Mon 17 Mar 2014
