Comedy Picks of the Week ft. Tim Key, Robin Ince, Max and Ivan + more

Sidekick | Mon 29 Jun | Via | 7.30pm | £2
A rare treat this week, as there’s a comedy show that isn’t over-run by an hour-long Edinburgh preview at the end. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, and in fairness Brennan Reece will almost certainly be practicing some of his new show Marvel, which is shaping up to be quite a lovely show about being mum’s favourite. Kate McCabe hosts with her genial and sometime apologetic American charm, introducing some fine comedy in the guise of the afore mentioned Brennan Reece, Jack Evans, Graham Milton and Manchester’s favourite Canadian, Allyson June Smith. All for £2.
www.skiddle.com

Max and Ivan | Tue 30 Jun | The Pub/Zoo | 7.30pm | £5/£3
Comedy double act Max and Ivan invite you to Sudley on Sea, the setting for their latest Edinburgh show, for a glimpse at the destruction of the small town. An ambitious project directed by Tom Parry of sketch group Pappy’s fame, this is becoming one of the more talked about shows heading to the Fringe this year – so now is an ideal time to get to see it. Also on the bill is Bec Hill, whose use of drawings and surreal humour have seen her win over kids and adults alike. Check out this amazing video deconstructing Edith Piaf.
www.wegottickets.com

Peter Brush | Wed 1 Jul | The Ape and Apple | 8pm | FREE
Manchester’s longest running free comedy night offers up some Edinburgh previews of its own – this time from the neurotic charm of Peter Brush. Already a frontrunner for best title of an Edinburgh show with ‘Older Than The Oldest Dog That Ever Lived’, Brush is a British Woody Allen who sees only the dark in a situation with hilarious rewards. Through his deadpan delivery he will show you why it may not be a good thing to have lived so long and not achieved as much as a dog.
comedyballoon.wordpress.com

Robin Ince | Wed 1 & Thu 2 Jul | King’s Arms, Salford | 9.15pm | £10/£8
Robin Ince recently announced his semi-retirement from comedy. Not in a way that he’d only be doing two or three days a week and still turning up at staff parties even though he’s given NOTHING to the present fund! But more that he’s taking a couple of years off to rediscover his love for comedy. So make sure you catch him while you can before his undetermined hiatus. Here he performs as part of Greater Manchester Fringe in an intimate venue. As perfect time as any to see a ‘farewell’ show.
www.ents24.com

Tim Key (pictured) | Sat 4 Jul | Gorilla | 7pm | £13
When Group Therapy initially announced Tim Key as its July headliner it was seen as a statement of intent from Manchester city centre’s only weekend comedy night not held at a comedy club. Having recently broken the news that the August headliner will be David Cross, we can only dream who Group Therapy has planned for September. A Bill Hicks hologram perhaps? Regardless of what the future holds, the procurement of one of the UK’s best comics is something to crow about indeed – and with tickets sparse it’s best you get yours very quickly indeed. And keep an eye out for the next few Group Therapy shows. The bar has been set very high.
www.seetickets.com

Thanks to @johnwinsagain