Simon Amstell makes a triumphant return to the stage, Heidi Regan headlines XS Malarkey, and Aidan Jones combines comedy and classical music at FSC in this week’s Manchester comedy highlights.
No comedian’s journey is particularly linear, but Aidan Jones’ might be the most surprising. Growing up playing classical piano and assuming that’s where his life was heading, he credits a failed conservatory audition and a heap of MDMA with his pivot to stand-up. Now combining his love of classical music and his affable antipodean charm, Jones presents Chopin’s Nocturne in his own inimitable style. If only the conservatory could see him now.
Every so often on social media, one of Simon Amstell’s many viral moments from his hosting stint on Never Mind The Buzzcocks will do the rounds. So much so that it’s hard to believe he only served as host for four series of the long-running pop music panel show. More than just the man who made Preston from Ordinary Boys storm off stage, Amstell has long been one of the most thoughtful and original stand-up voices of the past two decades. His long-awaited return to the stage is titled I Love It Here, and the general consensus is that you will too.
- Words:
- John Stansfield
- Published on:
- Mon 19 Oct 2026
Australia’s finest low-key export Heidi Regan headlines another great week of XS Malarkey. Regan is a master of the rug pull in what seems like a run-of-the-mill opinion delivered in deadpan style before jack-knifing into unexpected alleyways and tangents. Wonderful to behold, she’ll have you in consternation as to why she’s not on tellies around the country more often.