Critic's Choice: Top 5 Comedy

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Uphill from here: Frank Skinner reflects on latter middle age in Hayes

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Ricky Gervais
Carling Apollo, W6
Your last chances to see Ricky Gervais before he banks all his money and buys a Caribbean island - or makes his Hollywood directorial debut, if the latest reports are to be believed. Gervais may be a one-trick pony as a stand-up, but it is a brilliant trick, as he mocks himself, Dawn French and a multitude of politically incorrect subjects. Ironically, of course.
(0870 606 3400) Tomorrow and Sat 29 Sept, 7.30pm. Also Royal Albert Hall (020 8598 8212) 1 & 2 Oct, 7.30pm.

Richard Herring
Arts Theatre
A few years ago Richard Herring's erstwhile partner Stewart Lee successfully reinvented himself as a mature, highly skilled standup. Herring isn't following Lee in the maturity stakes - he's as puerile as ever - but he is certainly turning into a great jokesmith. This latest show, Oh F**k, I'm 40, addresses the thorny subject of kidulthood and asks the thorny question: can a man with grey hair ever look cool on a skateboard? (0870 060 1742)
Until Saturday 29 Sept, 9.30pm.

Frank Skinner
Beck Theatre, Hayes
The Black Country comic has some big West End dates in November but fans in west London can catch him now as his national tour reaches Hayes. Skinner recently turned 50 and his material is decidedly adult - his cheeky grin just about lets him get away with some vulgar reflections on middle age. (020 8561 7506) Tonight, 8pm.

Russell Brand
Hackney Empire
Stand-up's most upstanding bouffant has been a bit quiet of late due to filming his part in the forthcoming St Trinians movie, but he returns to the circuit with a vengeance this weekend. Expect a distinctive blend of deeply personal confessions combined with Brand's own idiosyncratic take on current affairs.
(020 8985 2424) Tomorrow & Sat 29 Sept, 8pm.

MONDAY: Steve Gribbin's Silver Jubilee
Comedy Store
If you are going to have a star-studded benefit gig it might as well be in aid of a good cause and this one is in aid of two. The profits of tonight's show go to the British Lung Foundation, but a line-up that includes Rich Hall, Jeremy Hardy and Mark Steel is also gathering to pay tribute to veteran Steve Gribbin. The Scouse rabble-rouser has been doing topical satirical songs since before the 1984 miners' strike and he is still going strong, parodying Oasis and putting the boot into Bush. A cast-iron bill that reads like an alternative comedy line-up from 1988 also includes John Hegley, John Moloney, John Ryan and Tim Clark and there will even be a one-off reunion of Gribbin's old satirical duo Skint Video. Well, every rock band seems to be getting back together these days - why can't comedy bands do the same?
(0870 060 2340) Monday 1 Oct, 8pm.

 

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