Comedy picks of the week ft. Einstein, Boothby Graffoe, Sham Bodie & more

Einstein: Relatively Speaking | Dancehouse | Fri 11 Apr | £10/£7 | 6.15pm
Attempting to explain the myriad theories that Einstein posited during his lifetime – including hits like e=mc2 – via the power of comedy and music, this show has garnered rave reviews during its UK tour. The creator of QI, John Lloyd, described it as ‘the clearest, and certainly funniest, explanation of the Theory of Relativity I know’. High and obscure praise for a strange show that makes sense of science using songs and silliness. Einstein: Relatively Speaking is delivered as a pair of shows: the matinee leaning more towards kids, and the later for adults. How blue they can possibly make Einstein, though, is another matter.
dancehouse.ticketline.co.uk

Barrel of Laughs | Frog & Bucket | Sat 12 Apr | £17/£10 | 7pm
In the week leading up to a celebration of the past 20 years, a stellar line-up of future greats assemble at the Frog & Bucket for your viewing pleasure, to show the Oldham Street destination will be around for a lot longer. Winner of 2013’s BBC New Comedy Award Steve Bugeja will be showcasing his anti-lad humour, Jonny Awsum will prove once more that comedy and music can mix, and MC for the night Ed Gamble is off to America soon to film a new sitcom for US TV. Rounding out the group is the more established but no less hilarious Ciamh McDonnell, for a great Saturday night at the Frog. Here’s to many more.
dashboard.ticketscript.com

Boothby Graffoe (pictured) | The Lowry | Sun 13 Apr | £13 | 8pm
In a further nod to musical comedy this week, the UK’s arch-surrealist Boothby Graffoe takes on the wonderful world of scratch cards. Gambling on his own reputation with this risky show based entirely around the country’s obsession with scratch cards, this will be the last time he performs these routines. Making the odds even greater. Quick, get yours now! Who knows what you might win! A brilliant and thought-provoking comedian, Graffoe is always a great performer – and with this specific show is proving himself to be one of the country’s best acts.
www.thelowry.com

XS Malarkey ft. Danny McLoughlin | The Pub/Zoo | Tue 15 Apr | £5/£3 | 7.30pm
XS Malarkey continues its rich vein of form since, well, forever with another great line-up headlined by Danny Mcloughlin. Having just announced his Edinburgh show, Feels Alright, expect a wash of observational insight and easy charm from one of Manchester’s greatest young comics. Also on the bill is one of Liverpool’s greatest young comics in Adam Staunton, a prolific performer with a razor sharp and slightly surreal take on the world. There’s a reason XS Malarkey is consistently listed as the best comedy club in the city.
www.wegottickets.com

20th Anniversary Show | Frog & Bucket | Wed 16 Apr | £9/£6 | 7pm
In two decades of putting on shows you’re bound to make some great friends in comedy, and the Frog & Bucket have proven that with the glut of talent that has agreed to celebrate their big Two Oh with the venue. Dave Williams, Steve Harris, Steve Royle, Tony Burgess, Smug Roberts, Mick Ferry, Steve Shanyaski and Dan Nightingale are all on a very full bill – and with a couple of surprises promised, that could be any of the legion of stars that have performed on the Frog stage. Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford and John Bishop all got their start there, so who knows who might turn up. Book in advance because this one will be a sell out. And also a great night of live comedy.
dashboard.ticketscript.com

Sham Bodie | The Castle | Thu 17 Apr | £5 | 7.30pm
Keeping with the music and comedy theme, Sham Bodie brings its night of music and comedy back to the Castle, with a few other surprises thrown in for good measure. Welcoming back to Manchester Magic Sam, after his comedy and magic cabaret shows wowed the people of the capital, and Kiri Pritchard Mclean will be gracing the Sham stage with her incendiary presence, including choice material from her ironically titled ‘Racist, Sexist Show’. Those who’ve been to Sham Bodie before will know to expect the unexpected – and presumably those who haven’t been would expect that too, with this month seeing a resurrection of the Wide Awake Club sans Timmy Mallett, but plus Mallet’s Mallet. A night like no other.
www.wegottickets.com