Manchester Comedy of the Week ft. Danielle Ward, Mark Watson & Steve Bugeja

Sidekick ft Jackie Hagan | Mon 30 Jan | On Bar | 7.30pm | £2/FREE
It’s an unwritten rule in comic books that nobody really dies. Or at least stays dead for long. So as Kate McCabe cradles her darling creation Sidekick in her arms and screams a forlorn ‘WHY?!’ into the night sky, we know from the respawns, comebacks, reinventions and so on that beloved comic book characters get will mean it will no doubt be back in the future. Though if this is truly the death of the village’s best comedy night then it’s quite the way to go out. McCabe hosts Peter Fleming, Jean Kelly, Ian Lane and as headliner the effervescent Jackie Hagan.
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Danielle Ward (pic)| Tue 31 Jan | The Pub/Zoo | 7.30pm | £5/3
Multiple award winner and with appearances on Mock the Week and Newswipe under her belt Danielle Ward is moving up in the comedy world. Just a glance at her past work shows the breadth of talent on show, writing, acting and creating her own musicals as well as making 6 series of her panel show podcast ‘Do the Right Thing’ with comedy pals Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Michael Legge. The latter of which has just shot a pilot for TV. Ward is an intelligent and very funny comedian with hilarious songs that are also very well produced no doubt due to the six years she spent as a bassist for Welsh pop band ‘The Loves’.
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Mark Watson | Sat 4 Feb | Gorilla | 7pm | £14/12
After a surprise Sunday night show with American stand up Chris Gethard Group Therapy are back with their second event of 2017 with a debut from the cerebral comedian Mark Watson. One that’s apparently been on their list for some time, the Bristolian funnyman makes his first appearance on a Group Therapy stage with more of his overthinking on the human condition. Always a delight to see Watson trawling his way through the minutiae of modern life he is a great addition to the hall of fame that have appeared at Group Therapy over the last four or so years.
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Steve Bugeja | Sun 5 Feb | The Lowry | 8pm | £12/10
One of the brightest comedians to come out of the Manchester scene over the last few years Steve Bugeja’s 2015 show ‘Day Release’ drew great reviews for his nebbish retelling of the time when he had to drive the love of his life’s father to her wedding. From prison. Playing out like a delightful rom com with Bugeja as the very unlikely but very likeable leading man this follow up show that debuted at last year’s festival is a less linear story of the young anti-lad’s musings on his awkward life. A chance to see a great future star in an intimate theatre.
www.thelowry.com