Comedy Picks of the Week ft. Mark Thomas, Noel Fielding and England Roller Derby

Dead Cat Comedy | Sandbar | Mon 17 Nov | 8pm | FREE
Red Redmond introduces another top line-up for your delectation, all for the price of a pint of air. Free comedy at its finest, the Dead Cat Comedy Club is a welcoming night that showcases both old and new talents. For this week’s instalment, Red will be introducing Rob Coleman, Daniel Sofoluke, Joe White, Mike Milling and 2007 winner of Bulmer’s Comedy Comp, Kieran Lawless. Funny for nothing and your quips for free.
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Mark Thomas | Waterside Arts Centre, Sale | Wed 19 Nov | 7.30pm | £15/£10
After last year’s 100 Acts of Minor Dissent, perennial political firebrand Mark Thomas is back with a much more intimate show about the nature of trust and how, like Kurt Cobain said, ‘Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they aren’t after you.’ Ten years ago an activist and close friend of Mark’s was exposed as a spy for government-sanctioned arms manufacturer BAE Systems. Telling a true story, Thomas looks at the impact of betrayal using interviews from friends, colleagues and journalists to examine such a personal subject. A strange and hilarious treatise on the nature of friendship and ultimately forgiveness.
watersideartscentre.co.uk

Noel Fielding (pictured) | O2 Apollo | Fri 21 Nov | 8pm | £25
The imp formerly known as Vince Noir embarks on his first solo UK tour – though he has brought some pals with him to help along the way such as his Michael (formerly Naboo) and Tom Meeten (who plays Andy Warhol in Luxury Comedy). Promising a night of stand-up, animation, sketches, songs and all manner of madness, Fielding is not taking the easy route back in to solo work. Charming and haphazard, his show is sure to contain his usual brand of laid-back madness.
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

John Shuttleworth | The Dancehouse | Fri 21 & Sat 22 Nov | 3.30pm (Sat only) & 8pm | £17
Bringing his organ for a ‘Wee Ken to remember’, Sheffield’s finest John Shuttleworth plays three shows this weekend – so if you have other commitments then take your pick (there’s really no excuse), dedicated to his next door neighbour Ken Worthington due to a clerical error. A well-intentioned and observational songsmith with a back catalogue that includes the infuriating Two Margarines and the lamentation of I Can’t Go Back to Savoury Now, come marvel at how a man can turn the contents of his fridge into a melancholy gem. See our full preview here.
dancehouse.ticketline.co.uk

England Roller Derby Presents | King’s Arms | Sun 23 Nov | 7.30pm | £10
It seems that when the England Roller Derby team need some comedians for a fundraiser they don’t go in half-hearted. This bill is one of the finest you’ll see in the country this week. 2014 Fosters Comedy Award Panel Prize winner Phil Ellis will be peddling his inimitable schtick, as well as the ‘darkly tinged but magical’ Bethany Black, Keith Carter (who allegedly helped Liverpool win the Capital of Culture in 2008), stellar one-line merchant and also Game of Thrones’ Yara Greyjoy, aka Gemma Whelan, and anarchic storyteller Will Setchell. All held together by MC Richard Sandling (Peep Show, Catherine Tate, Miranda), this should be what everyone is doing on Sunday night.
www.brownpapertickets.com

Thanks to @johnwinsagain