Laughter is certainly the best medicine - even if you’re not ill! Why not get your ribs well and truly tickled over the next few weeks by attending one or more of the following laughter-fests...  

SCOTT BENNETT

He may not feature on a list of the UK’s best-known comics, but Scott Bennett is very much admired by those who do. So much so, in fact, that he’s previously been selected as a support act by stellar laughter merchants Rob Brydon, Jason Manford, John Bishop and Mickey Flanagan. Hailed by fellow comedian Chris Ramsey as ‘brilliantly funny and a joy to watch’, Scott returns to the Gatehouse with latest show Stuff.  

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 20 March

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PAUL CHOWDHRY

One of the most talented and popular Asian comedians on the UK comedy circuit, Paul Chowdhry has developed a stand-up act which taps into the multicultural diversity of contemporary Britain. His Midlands stop-offs this spring see him presenting latest touring show Englandia, an evening of comedy covering all manner of topical subjects.

Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 21 March; Utilita Arena Birmingham, Sat 31 May

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JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH

Graham Fellows may have enjoyed early chart success as Jilted John, singing the eminently memorable Gordon Is A Moron, but there’s little doubting the character with which he will always be most associated...

John Shuttleworth is one of those delightful creations who has become an intrinsic part of the nation’s comedy heritage. A pigeon-fancying raconteur-par-excellence with an unusual and off-beam perspective on the world around him, John is never happier than when he’s tinkling away on his Yamaha organ. 

Fellows brings the bespectacled northerner to the Midlands as part of his latest UK tour, Raise The Oof. 

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 22 March

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SHABAZ ALI

Introverts beware: Shabaz Ali likes his shows to be truly interactive affairs, with nobody off-limits - and that includes members of the audience! 

Pop-culture phenomenon and Blackburn chemistry teacher Shabaz has made a name for himself as a social-media personality -  his TikTok channel, ShabazSays, boasts millions of devotees. 
And it’s his quick-witted takedowns of some of the internet’s most ridiculous crazes that have really helped set him apart from other online commentators. 

Shabaz’s Midlands dates come as part of his first-ever comedy tour.

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 23 March; mac, Birmingham, Thurs 3 April

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MAX AMINI

Iranian-American comedian Max Amini brings together eccentric impressions and novel storytelling to explore a wide range of topics, in the process poking fun at the quirks of modern society and highlighting the challenges of navigating cultural differences. 

No slouch when it comes to improvisation, Max promises a joyride of a show ‘that will have you rolling in the aisles from start to finish’. 

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 24 March

 

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JAMALI MADDIX

One-time Chortle Student Comedian of the Year Jamali Maddix has been hailed for his frank yet ironic take on everyday racism and his willingness to tackle the hot-potato subject of terrorism. 

He visits the Midlands numerous times across the next couple of months with his brand-new touring show, Aston.

 The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 25 March; Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 16 May; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 21 May; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Thurs 5 June

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MILTON JONES

Milton Jones has established himself as one of Britain’s most in-demand funnymen. 

“If my comedy’s working well, I put a cartoon in people’s heads that surprises them,” he explains. “So you start off and they’re thinking one thing, then you surprise them by changing the ending as you go along. It’s not political or particularly edgy, it’s just daft. 

“I think the better the comic you are, the stronger the flavour you are. I think if you’re bland and everyone quite likes you, you’re probably just not very good.”

Birmingham Town Hall, Thursday 27 March

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ROB BECKETT

First tickling the nation’s funny bone in 2009, Rob Beckett’s TV work includes 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Celebrity Juice. A high-tempo comedian who’s been described by one newspaper as ‘a little short of a revelation’, Rob claims his relationship with comedy began as a youngster... 

“I was the middle child and desperate for attention,” he explains, “so I decided to try and get it by making my friends and family chuckle - or better still, belly laugh.”

Gags include, “You know you're working-class when your TV’s bigger than your bookcase,” and “My girlfriend worries about me cheating on a night out. I say to her, ‘Why would I have a burger when I’ve got steak at home?’ The only problem is, when you’re drunk, burgers are well nice.”

Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 27 - Sat 29 March; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 14 May; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 17 May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 20 - Sat 22 November

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HARRY HILL

“Join me on my Diamond Jubilee lap of honour,” says Harry Hill, “as I celebrate 60 glorious years of fun, laughter and low-level disruption.

“Marvel! As I offer new insights into the hot topics of the day, such as the demise of the SCART lead, the ‘culture wars’, the differences between crab sticks and rhubarb and the origins of tiramisu! “Plus, one lucky audience member will get to join me in a double act! “So get on board the laughter train!”

Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Wednesday 9 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Saturday 26 April; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Sunday 27 April; Malvern Theatres, Wednesday 7 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Friday 16 May 

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KURTIS CONNER

Life is very much sunny-side-up for Kurtis Conner at the moment. With millions of subscribers to his YouTube channel, a hugely popular podcast, and sold-out signs going up at gigs across the globe, there’s little wonder the Canadian funnyman has been hailed ‘one to watch’ by Variety. 

Peddling an often absurdist style of humour, Kurtis is visiting Birmingham this month with The Goodfellow World Tour, a show which he’s promising is chock-a-block with his freshest and funniest material.  

“There's still a part of me that’s like, all these people are just here by accident - they don't mean to be here,” the 30-year-old comic told themudmag.com, in contemplating the ever-increasing popularity of his stand-up shows. “It's weird because I feel like I don't do anything to deserve it - but they're there, so it's really cool.”

Birmingham Town Hall, Thursday 10 April

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ANDREW LAWRENCE

It’s fair to say that Andrew Lawrence’s profile has been considerably raised by his involvement in various social-media controversies over the years.

On Facebook a decade ago, he accused television panel shows of indulging in “liberal back-slapping”, claiming they featured “ageing, balding, fat men, ethnic comedians and women posing as comedians” who spent their time making jokes at the expense of Nigel Farage.

More recently, he caused a stir when, following the defeat of the England football team in the final of the Euros - on penalties - he tweeted: “All I’m saying is the white guys scored.” He then followed up with “I can see that this has offended a lot of people, and I’m sorry that black guys are bad at penalties.” 

The controversy resulted in the Surrey-born comedian being dropped by his agent. He visits the Gatehouse this month and next with latest show Still On The Naughty Step.  

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thursday 10 April & Thursday 8 May 

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A LAUGH SUPREME

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Laugh Supreme evening makes a welcome pre-Easter return mid-month.

Described as ‘a show bringing together the best of comedy and jazz in the incredible Eastside Jazz Club’, the event’s April edition features top-ranking Conservatoire jazz musicians the Aidan Pope Quartet and comedians Maria Shehata and Eric Rushton. Alex Milner is the host. 

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Friday 11 April

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SHAPARAK KHORSANDI

A regular contributor to radio and television programmes, Iranian-born comedian Shaparak Khorsandi describes herself as a ‘spit and sawdust’ stand-up comic, happily pulling on her wellies and trudging through muddy fields to perform at any and every music festival that boasts a comedy tent.
She visits the region this month with latest show Scatterbrain. 

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, Friday 11 April; Norbury Theatre, Droitwich, Saturday 31 May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thursday 12 June

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RUSSELL KANE

Past publicity blurb for this fella said it all: “Strap in for some super-speed sunderings and inconvenient sociology in a show of self-soiling merriment that will leave you with rickets.” 

In short, Russell Kane is a very funny man - and it’s not just his publicist who thinks so. Russell has been drawing a crowd since bursting onto the scene more than 20 years ago, serving up liberal doses of humour at a frenetic pace. 

The London-born comedian visits the Midlands with latest touring show HyperActive.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sunday 27 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Friday 5 & Saturday 6 December