Rachel Fairburn and Madeleine Brettingham are at XS with WIPs, on Sunday, there’s something new from Sean Morley and a Pride showcase at Creatures all feature in our picks of best comedy shows in Manchester this week.
Speaking of running scared of the late-night soccer slam across the pond, Sean Morley will be presenting a different kind of game, and a normal one at that, in the early afternoon. Little is known about transgressive comedy genius Morley’s latest outing, but it’s a kind of game show, and you will need access to the venue’s wifi. No doubt it will be a wild experience with Morley as the games master extraordinaire.
After seeing whatever Sean Morley’s up to, you’ll be able to squeeze in a late afternoon showcase at Creatures, which will end before the first of the last 32 matches that kicks off at 8pm. Timetabling wonders that they are, Creatures offer up a Pride lineup that includes Josh Jones and Bethany Black in the early evening to leave you free to watch whichever nations are duking it out.
- Words:
- John Stansfield
- Published on:
- Mon 22 Jun 2026
Events can take a back seat during a World Cup with organisers running scared of the draw of watching the likes of Belgium vs Iran. But this Tuesday, in a direct bit of counter-programming, XS Malarkey present a cracking preview of two halves at the same time as England play Ghana out in Boston.
There’s a lot of heat around the Fringe debut of Madeleine Brettingham, who won the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny in 2025, whilst Rachel Fairburn’s new character show Vexy Beasts is already in incredible shape. Watch the football on the iPlayer when you get home after watching two of the best at XS first.