Comedy Picks of the Week ft Liam Williams, Mick Ferry + More

Quippodrome | Gullivers | Mon 11 May | 7pm | £4
Variety and sketch shows have had somewhat of an upswing of late on the Manchester comedy scene and at the weirder end of the spectrum you’ll find the battleground known as The Quippodrome. Jack Evans, Jayne Edwards, Edy Hurst and Jon Whiteley lead you upstairs in Gullivers for a night of sketch, stand up, strange characters and powerpoint presentations about who are the ‘Top Lads’ this week. If you enjoy a more Reeves and Mortimer tinged comedy show, then get down for a Monday night treat. Check out our full preview here:
www.wegottickets.com

Liam Williams | The Pub/Zoo | Wed 13 May | 7.30pm | £5/3
XS Malarkey doubles up this week as they present wunderkind Liam Williams to the baying Manchester crowd. Performing at this year’s Manchester International Festival for the venerable comedy institution Invisible Dot Williams has been branded next big thing by more publications than can be listed. A smart, visceral comedian with a Yorkshire twang that belies the poetry he spews forth, Williams is one to watch in both future and present. And check out his past on youtube:  You shan’t be disappointed, and then you’ll probably rush to buy a ticket.
www.xsmalarkey.com

Just Some Sketch Night | The Kings Arms | Thu 14 May | 7.20pm | £5
As mentioned earlier with Quippodrome this is yet another indication of the popularity of live sketch shows, where TV has turned its back on the old faithful, sketch troupes seem to be springing up all over the gaff. And mostly that gaff is The Kings Arms. A wonderful pub that does more for local artists than most traditional boozers, Just Some Sketch Night is one more group of comics benefiting from the Salford public house’s love of new ideas and a damn funny time.
www.wegottickets.com

Mick Ferry | South West Manchester Cricket Club | Fri 15 May | 7.30pm | £5adv/£7otd
Manchester’s favourite comedy son Mick Ferry returns for a headline set at Chorlton Chuckles. A down to earth yet surreal comic Mick is back solo after a successful stint as ‘Uncle Mick’ in Phil Ellis’ panel prize winning kids show Funz and Gamez. He has gigged all over the world and will be recognizable from stints on McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, The Comedy Store for Comedy Central and even in Ken Loach’s classic paean to another Manchester legend ‘Looking For Eric’. Ferry tops a stellar bill including Katie Mulgrew, Simon Ramsden and Peter Callaghan. Amazing value for just a fiver.
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Lou Conran (pictured)| The Kings Arms | Sat 16 May | 8pm | FREE
As August approaches more and more Edinburgh previews will be popping up and an early one set for big things (and arguably best title) is Lou Conran’s ‘Small Medium at Large’. This Saturday she’s looking to iron out any kinks before she heads to Edinburgh in a caravan to perform her show about the trials of being the daughter of a clairvoyant and her own brushes with the undead. There will also be some of her comedy pals trying out some new material and it’s all free. Well worth a trip to The Kings.
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