Comedy comes in all shapes and sizes this week as Tarot are online, Creatures offer some afternoon stand-up and XS Malarkey have a surprise in store.
The sooner everyone realises that comedy shows should take place at a reasonable hour, the sooner the world will be a happier place. For now, though, we’ll take them whenever we can get them. If you’re in need of a laugh at a decent time, then head down to Creatures for 5.30pm on a Saturday for their showcase of comedians before they’ve had their tea.
If you’ve got any Fringe FOMO going on, then NextUp are the answer; they’ll be screening live recordings of shows from this year’s festival all this week, and they’re all worth the subscription price. The week finishes up on the same day the festival pretty much ends with a showing of Tarot’s “Best Of”, one of the greatest sketch groups the country has ever produced, playing their hits on their home turf. What a way to end a festival you couldn’t get to.
- Words:
- John Stansfield
- Published on:
- Mon 18 Aug 2025
Anytime there’s a surprise headliner at XS Malarkey, it’s in your best interest to go. They don’t really do low key, and their rolodex runneth over with the names of every comedian that’s made it big in the last 25 years of their operation. Or it could just be Toby Hadoke doing an extended set, which is just as worthy of your time.