Ozzy Algar, One Man Musical and It's Happening...

Comedy shows to see this week :)

clockwise from top-left: Julia Masli, Emily Bampton, Ozzy Algar, Paulina Lenoir, Flo & Joan (split in half!), Birthday Girls in a burning hole, Christopher Bliss, Flo & Joan (reunited!)

Hello!

Everyone still here? Ok good. Look, not a great start to the week, I’ll say that. But I will also say that I spent Sunday afternoon reading under a blanket and thus have the strength to refuse to have my mood brought down by a big orange twat who will probably be dead soon – that is not a threat, that is a real scientific possibility based on factors! Do not eliminate me!

I too can issue executive orders and I am going to do it right now so here are mine:

Executive order #1: Don’t use the phrase ‘just saying’ anymore, I find it to be annoying

Executive order #2: The hashtag sign is back to meaning ‘number’. All other uses of hashtags are banned

Executive order #3: 6:30pm is bath time. Everyone has to have a bath. If you don’t own a tub, someone will be by shortly to install it. If you need advice on running the perfect bath, I will have assembled an 800-page dossier on the perfect methods based on all possible flavour preferences

Executive order #4: Everyone in the UK subscribes to the LMAOnaise comedy newsletter and goes to see all the shows it recommends

Executive order #5: Bring me a melon for my table

More executive orders to come. All are equally and entirely unenforceable.

Ok, thanks, now for some comedy shows!

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Comedy shows to see!

Ozzy Algar: Speed Queen (work-in-progress)

Jan 30th, 8:30pm
The Glitch, Waterloo; Tickets here

It’s January now, so about the time I start really adding names to my ones-to-watch-out-for list, which are for me and not public consumption, but I will let you in on a secret: Ozzy Algar’s on that list! Get in on the game early and see a WIP of their new show, set in the Speed Queen, the last laundrette on the Isle of Wight. I sense a new favourite character comedian… The show is directed by Tanika Lay-Meachen, who also directed Alice Cockayne’s Edinburgh debut in ‘23, which OF COURSE I loved – remember that? Ozzy is also on the line-up for DIBNËYLÄMD this week, in case you can’t make this one, but still want a teaser!

Comedy in Ruins

Jan 31st, 7:30pm
Mother’s Ruin, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Walthamstow; Tickets here

Walthamstow’s newest and best comedy night returns to ruin even more hearts with this month’s stunning line-up: Sharon Wanjohi, Felix Orlo, James O’Donoghue, Juno Jones, Samira Banks and regular host Emily Bampton. It’s also Emily ’s birthday and she’s not above using that to make sure you get tickets. Respect.

Eggbox

Jan 28th, 7:30pm
Pleasance Islington; Tickets here

We teased this one in last week’s newsletter, and premium subscribers will already know about it from Friday’s email: Joz Norris and Miranda Holms’ celebration of comedy writers and filmmakers, Eggbox, is back! This time we’ve got live readings of new scripts by Ayoade Bamgboye, Kathy Maniura, and Joz & Miranda, plus short films from Christopher Bliss, Em Humble, That Jam, Ada Player & Bron Waugh, Max Clendaniel and Kyle Jon Shephard. If you go to lots of stand-up etc. and want something still funny but a little different (for once in your life!), this is that.

Read our interview with Joz here:

It’s Happening

Jan 26th, 7:30pm
Jamboree, Kings Cross; Tickets here

It’s happening. Something is happening. I don’t know what is happening, and there are very few people I would recommend you see without any idea of what they plan to do. But two of those people have joined forces for this: a clowning poetry ritual. Julia Masli (a magical dream) and Paulina (also a magical dream!) are teaming up with some mystery guests for this happening.

DIBNËYLÄMD: The Banquet of Forgiveness

Jan 22nd, 7pm
Aces and Eights, Tufnell Park; Tickets here

Let’s start the year with some experimentation at Cameron Sinclair Harris’ weird night for new ideas. The packed line-up is characteristically silly, with Lachlan Werner, Jonathan Oldfield, Ozzy Algar, Those People, Suchandrika Chakrabarti, James O'Donoghue, Nayonica Ghosh and Lawrence Dodd. Head to DIBNËYLÄMD and meet Michael Mouse, throw yourself into whimsy in a place that is legally not claiming to be The Happiest Place on Earth (which is what Disneyland says it is but now that AI has overtaken SEO as Google’s golden child, it’s actually Finland).

Brighton King Night: First Birthday Show

Jan 26th, 7:30pm
The Brunswick, Brighton; Tickets here

Happy birthday to the King! Not that one. These ones! It’s Brighton King Night’s first birthday and you’re invited to the b-day bash. Kings and things combine as co-hosts Prince of Persia and Jack Fruit are joined by Vlad Von Kitsch, Gem the Clown, Clit Van Dyke, Gilipollas and a special surprise guest…

The Traitors Finale Screening hosted by Sam O'Leary & Tom Lawrinson

Jan 24th, 7:45pm
Fairfield Social Club, Manchester. Tickets here

Ok look, I don’t like to think about The Traitors finale because I can’t fathom it ending. It’s giving some much needed structure to these dank January eves when I can’t drag myself out the house. However, here’s a silver lining! Sam O'Leary and Tom Lawrinson are hosting a whole Traitors themed show with sketches and prizes before screening the finale of the Best Show on Television! I love a communal watch-a-long, and we all know Traitors is better as a team sport.

Bristol Comedy Festival

Until Jan 25th
Venues in Bristol, see website for all dates, locations and tickets

A new comedy festival is coming to Bristol this weekend and running for two weeks, with loads of amazing shows and works-in-progress to sink your teeth into. Get yourself to some WIPs including Tamsyn Kelly, Priya Hall, John Tothill, Pravanya Pillay, James Trickey, Eva Bindeman, Sikisa and Joe Kent-Walters.

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