Jordan Brookes and Lulu Popplewell present works in progress at XS Malarkey and Emmanuel Snub does likewise at The Frog, while Rachel Fairburn hosts her character comedy night at Fairfield Social Club.
Emmanuel Sonubi has been on one heck of a run. He followed up a nomination for Best Newcomer with a nomination for Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe, he’s toured all over the world, including a sold out run at the Soho Theatre in New York, so it certainly knocked him for six when he suffered from heart failure. Life After Near Death sees Sonubi face the cause of the trauma in hilarious style as he looks at getting back to stand-up while being lucky to even be on his feet.
Rachel Fairburn is on a one-woman mission to bring back the classic Northern tradition of character comedy. From Victoria Wood to Caroline Aherne, the North has always churned out strong female character comics, and Fairburn is carrying that same torch at this new evening where she’ll be joined by Sam O’Leary, Joe Kent-Walters and Rose Gray. Expect a heck of a lot of characters, and you’ll not be disappointed.
- Words:
- John Stansfield
- Published on:
- Mon 7 Jul 2025
Another banger of a double bill at XS Malarkey this week as the race to the Edinburgh Fringe enters the final furlong. Jordan Brookes has already won the big award with a show called I’ve Got Nothing, so to watch him with anything is a joy. Lulu Popplewell will be mining personal pain for comic gold with new show Love Love as she makes hopeful stand-up out of difficult circumstances. There aren’t many of these doubles left, so drink it in while you can.