Comedy Picks of the Week ft. Women in Comedy, Sarah Bennetto & Sophie Willan

Red Redmond’s Blue Movie | Adelphi Building | Fri 10 Oct | 6pm | FREE
Chief purveyor of Manchester’s bucket comedy scene, Mr Red Redmond invites you to yet another free gig. Only this one is an hour of the man himself, the gregarious ginger Prince filming his highly successful Edinburgh show at Salford University’s Adelphi building. His first taping, it’s a great chance to gain some more free laughs from Red and be in a stand-up vid for time immemorial. It’s also an early start so shouldn’t scupper your Friday night plans too greatly. Always thinking of you is Mr Redmond.
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Women in Comedy Festival Launch | Bangkok Bar | Sat 11 Oct | 8pm | £10
After the success of last year’s inaugural celebration of Y chromosome, this is a reprise of the wonderful Women in Comedy Festival. Kicking off in some style with this bumper showcase of some of the big names appearing at this year’s installment, the launch is hosted by the compelling and ballsy Janey Godley, and featuring a host of great comics such as TV regular Zoe Lyons, political firebrand and acerbic wit Kate Smurthwaite and Jana Kennedy, who will be performing as part of the festival with her mother, Heidi. Followed by the Rapture night club and featuring a host of drinks offers, Women in Comedy has sorted your Saturday night out for you.
www.womenincomedy.co.uk

Andrew O’Neill | The Old Monkey | Sun 12 Oct | 7.30pm | £5
Last month’s first show at the Old Monkey featured Sara Pascoe and sold out nicely  – so its promoters will no doubt expect a repeat thanks to the dual talents of Andrew O’Neill and Jim Smallman. O’Neill may be the only vegan, metalhead, occultist, transvestite on the UK circuit at present and his wonderfully dark comic stylings will have you in stitches. Smallman is the be-tattooed stand-up whose honest and heartfelt approach to comedy has earned him international praise including Best Comedy Show at the 2010 Hollywood Fringe. Tony Basnett is your genial host for the evening in the best kept secret on Portland Street.
www.wegottickets.com

Sarah Bennetto’s Storytellers’ Club | The Pub/Zoo | Wed 15 Oct | 8.30pm | £5/£3
XS Malarkey presents an extra – and extra special – show this week as Sarah Bennetto brings her Storytellers Club from the capital to the second city – and invites a host of the North West’s finest comics to share their hilarious true stories with an enraptured crowd. Jim Smallman makes his second appearance of the week, as well as XS favourites Harriet Dyer, Rob Rouse, Katie Mulgrew and Wendy Wason. A warm and hospitable atmosphere makes for a cracking night of comedy and honesty, taking comedians from their material-based comfort zones. A rare treat.
www.wegottickets.com

Sophie Willan (pictured) | King’s Arms | Thu 16 Oct | 7.30pm | £5
Part of the Women in Comedy Festival, Sophie Willan brings her Edinburgh smashing show to the King’s Arms. It may not have the most inspired title in ‘Novice Detective’ – but is certainly an inspirational tale, as Willan maps the true story of how she set out to find her biological father with the help of her psychic gran. All the ingredients for a heartwarming and hilarious evening.
www.womenincomedy.co.uk

Thanks to @johnwinsagain