Manchester comedy of the week FT Hayley Ellis, Sam Serrano and improv

Hayley Ellis has had a pretty productive August so far. While her comedy pals slave away in the stand-up mines of the Edinburgh Fringe she’s already had a sold-out tour show at The Frog, and is now back to headline XS Malarkey with a great support lineup including Jain Edwards and Masha Bennett. One of the best in the North West, Ellis is always a treat and even more so in the ever-enjoyable surrounds of XS at 53Two.

One staple of the Fringe is a good old dose of late-night improvised comedy, but you don’t need to travel up to the Scottish capital to get your fix this week as Absolute Onions will be bringing their night of improv to Fierce Bar. Audience suggestions inspire the stories and sketches from this merry band of improvisers and it’s a joy to behold.

Rising star Sam Serrano hosts a new night of new comedy at The Slug & Lettuce in Didsbury this Thursday and better still it’s completely free! If you live in the suburbs and fancy a great night of comedy seeing the hot new things try out their debut stuff, and older hands showcasing new material then you’re in luck. Serrano is a whip-smart comedian with an acerbic tongue who will keep things ticking along nicely.